Window blinds: which system to choose?

Window blinds: which system to choose? The guide to making an informed choice.

Blinds for windows : in this guide I will explain which are the main window blinds systems , the differences between them and with which materials they are made. We will observe them closely so as not to make any errors in judgment.

We will see together what are the advantages of the blinds such as the protection of privacy, the modulation of light, the improvement of anti- burglary security and the impact on the furnishing style of the house in which they are inserted.

When you have finished reading this article you will be able to make an informed choice , taking into account your personal needs.

Neglecting the quality of window blinds is a mistake

Let me introduce myself: I am Elia Caneppele , creator of online content and founder of the Windowo portal. Every day I take care of doors, windows and complementary accessories.

The first thing I want to tell you is that unfortunately window blinds are elements that are a little too underestimated . In reality, they are very important for the inhabitants of a house to live in the best conditions.

To achieve a high level of comfort in a home (not to mention energy saving ) it would be necessary to immediately intervene on the structural elements, starting with the windows .

Just think that about 35% of the heat and energy invested in heating is lost through the doors and windows. In addition, much of the noise pollution from the outside is able to penetrate the home through non-insulated windows.

The choice of doors and windows must consider the insulating capacity of the material they are made of. If you are interested in this particular topic you can read the guide to choosing .

No less important are the accessories that help PVC and aluminum frames to stop noise and resist atmospheric agents. These are the subject of this guide, namely window blind systems .

This is why these products are essential: they represent a further aid in protecting the acoustic and energy balance of the environments of our homes.

What are window blinds and which ones to choose?

As I have already said, the importance of window blinds is often neglected. Attention is paid to the choice of the latest generation of modern windows and the window blind systems take a back seat.

In fact, the right window shades are essential for a safe and comfortable home.

I want to clarify that mine is not a criticism of those who do not know the advantages of blackout systems. I say this to highlight the fact that the right attention is not paid to elements of such fundamental importance for the efficiency of a home.

What are window blinds?

A simple but effective definition of blackout systems for windows is to indicate them as that set of accessories that protect the windows and, as a consequence, also defend the internal environments of our homes.

The most important function of a window blind is the protection and privacy of the building where it is placed.

In a nutshell, window blinds provide shelter from the sun's rays, prevent overheating of the rooms and guarantee better thermal and acoustic insulation. All this while protecting the house from atmospheric agents and malicious people.

Let's see these important functions immediately and in more detail.

The different functions of the blackout systems

Curtains, shutters and shutters (I'm just mentioning some of the most famous blackout systems) allow us to accomplish much more than just adjusting the amount of natural light inside the room.

In fact, the choice of one home shading system compared to another changes according to the aesthetics of the house and its usefulness.

In addition to providing fresh shading , window shading systems allow us to:

• maintaining an ideal temperature , helping thermal insulation and energy saving;
• limit reflections due to too much natural light;
• protect windows from adverse atmospheric events and pollution;
• increase home security , protecting against break-in attempts;
• improve the aesthetics of the house;
• increase privacy .

Tailor-made window shading systems

At this point I want to be clear with you: I am unable to tell you which item to choose from the different window blind systems. This is because I do not know your home and cannot remotely know which solution is best suited to your specific needs.

The upside, or downside (depending on your point of view), is that there are so many options to choose from. As with windows, the choice of blinds also depends on the right choice depends on your personal needs for well-being and protection.

What I can do is show you what are the main characteristics of the most popular window blind systems. This way you will be oriented towards the most correct product for your situation.

Let's see them in detail.

Internal and external blinds: the different types

Various types of blackout systems are sold both online and in physical stores. They can be internal blinds (such as curtains and venetian blinds), external blinds (roller shutters or blinds) or hybrid solutions for both situations (for example you can find blinds or venetian blinds for the exterior or interior blinds on the market).

As we have already seen, the primary functions of window shading systems are not limited to simple light regulation.

It is important to pay due attention to the choice of the type of window blinds and the material from which they are made.

Let's now analyze the different types of window blinds .

The shutters and shutters - blackout house windows

Shutters are, together with the venetian blinds of which I speak later, blackout systems for windows that allow the highest flexibility in regulating the light .

With roller shutters you adjust the height of the opening and you can use them even when the doors are closed. The made-to-measure shutters (which you can buy online on Windowo at special offer prices) are highly customizable elements for color, type and construction material .

Depending on the material, the most classic division is between evergreen aluminum shutters and light but resistant PVC shutters .

As for the color of the custom-made roller shutters, you can choose from many RAL colors, including the wood effect.

If we make a further subdivision of the products based on the type of roller shutters, we can distinguish between four main categories: manual, electric, adjustable and armored.

Manual roller shutters are the classic ones that move by lifting the roller shutter "by hand".

The adjustable shutters are produced with adjustable sheets to let air and light pass without having to lift the entire shutter. The adjustable shutters can also be roll-up: you can lift them to make them disappear inside the box.

By adjusting the slats, you can let in light in the summer, limiting the flow of heat inwards. So you can save on the air conditioner. In winter, with the windows closed, you can raise the roller shutter letting the sun shine through.

Electric shutters allow you to adjust light and heat effortlessly. They are therefore a luxury if you do not want to struggle, but also a necessity if there are elderly people or people with limited motor skills in the house.

Armored shutters are perfect if you have special security needs. For example, if you live in a detached house or in a particularly isolated area or even on the ground floor of a building. They are often made with thicker and more resistant materials with the addition of anti-burglary mechanisms.

A fundamental part of the shutters: the box

When it comes to the insulating capacity of roller shutters, due attention must also be paid to the shutter boxes . It is one of the weakest parts of the window hole because it is at risk of heat loss.

Here is the recipe for a guaranteed mistake: install a latest generation window frame and insulating roller shutters by adapting them to the old non-insulated box. Often this is the imprudent choice of those who want to save.

If the roller shutter box is not insulated, the problem of heat dispersion will arise at 100% and drafts and noises will continue to invade the rooms of the house.

Dark windows, antone or internal shutters

The shutters are one of the outdoor shading systems that most defend the house: they create a sort of barrier both from the heat of the sun and from the bad guys.

They are typical of Mediterranean countries and usually have a great impact on the external facade of the building. They allow you to quickly switch from full daylight to total darkness when closed. However, they are not very flexible because they do not allow you to adjust the lighting.

One way to prevent the shutters from banging, or to be able to close them even with open doors, is to opt for the internal shutters .

Dark windows and internal shutters have several advantages over other window shading systems: they allow the highest level of thermal insulation, easily understood from the fact that when closed they limit the flow of heat between the interior of your home and the environment as much as possible. external. Sound insulation is also high.

While the internal shutters are more suitable for the colder areas, such as the high mountains, the shutters are also perfectly suited to the scorching summer heat. This is because they can be closed while keeping the doors open.

Making a similarity with what we have seen for roller shutters, there are also armored shutters on the market.

Here are 3 types of shutters that you can identify quickly and easily:

1. Padua-style shutters : made up of 2 panels, generally of different sizes, designed to lean against the window parapet and the external side;
2. Vicenza-style shutters have a compact opening system: the doors fold towards the inside of the masonry, leaving the facade free;
3. antone : a dark one made up of a single panel without joint that leans against the external wall.

Shutters or window shutters

The shutters (also called jealousies ) are different elements from the shutters because they have adjustable slats which, if open, allow the circulation of air but not the passage of light. The shutters therefore have a better lighting control than the shutters (even if they are not as flexible as the shutters).

Similar to shutters and roller shutters, there are different combinations of shutters both in terms of color and material.

As for the types of shutters, the main ones are:

1. revolving shutters : made up of one or two doors that open outwards. The slats they are made of can be fixed or adjustable, usually by crank.
2. Sliding shutters : suitable for sliding windows or doors, similarly to these they turn on visible or retractable rails.

Another way to divide the different types is based on the name of the area of origin:

1. Roman shutter : with doors that open outward and slats to control the amount of incoming light;
2. Tuscan shutter : with doors that can be opened outwards and a particular opening in the lower part;
3. Genoese shutter : with a crosspiece that more marks the opening of the underlying part.

Sunscreen with adjustable louvers: very cool summer even without air conditioner

The aluminum louvers with adjustable slats allow you to control the brightness level in the house as you wish.

This is possible thanks to the adjustment of the position of the adjustable aluminum slats according to your needs. In fact, one of the strengths of aluminum louvers is the ability to shade and protect the coolness of the house from the power of UV rays.

The operation of the louvres is completely motorized and can be managed by a switch or a convenient remote control.

Furthermore, together with the internal venetian blinds (which we will discover shortly), thanks to the mobility of their slats, the sunscreens are the most effective solution to manage the level of brightness in the home in order to create different atmospheres.

Blackout curtains for windows

Curtains and all internal blinds in general have the advantage of not altering the appearance of the external facade of a building.

In reality, blackout blinds for windows are less efficient than the systems we have already seen from an energy point of view. But this hasn't hindered their popularity: blackout blinds for interior windows and drapes have always been one of the most popular means of increasing privacy and regulating lighting.

On the Windowo you can find online modern curtains for interiors made in different materials, designs and fabrics that filter the light and limit the passage of air.

Awnings are not only for installation inside a building: on the market there are also awnings for outdoor use made of materials and fabrics resistant to rain and wind. These particular types of blackout curtains, such as arm awnings , are perfect for protecting pergolas, gazebos, porches, terraces and balconies.

Venetian blinds: the ideal solution for darkening offices and studios

Venetian blinds are blackout systems for roller shutters like roller shutters. Unlike roller shutters, however, they are made up of lighter structures, fixed sheets and do not have a box. They can have manual or electric control.

The small aluminum slats that make up the Venetian blinds allow you to control the intensity and direction of the external light with extreme precision.

Venetian blinds are an excellent filtering system of light and heat, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. For this reason they are often used to regulate the lighting in offices, meeting rooms, doctors' offices, hospitals, public offices.

Curiosity: did you know that there are also blackout mosquito nets?

On Windowo you can also buy blackout mosquito nets with black net .

The great advantage of a blackout mosquito net is that it allows the deduction of the mosquito nets themselves, making them fall within the window bonuses .

This is because thanks to the black net, mosquito nets can be considered solar protections.

The materials with which the window blinds are made

After having seen the window blind systems, let's go to see the materials of the blinds and their pros and cons.

Wood blinds

• Advantages: the wooden blinds are elegant and allow on average a good thermal and acoustic insulation. This is thanks to the wood which is a natural insulator. Much, however, depends on the quality of the wood itself: there are great differences between a fir, solid wood and parts of lesser quality such as chipboards and laminates;
• Disadvantages: among the cons of wooden blinds I place your attention on the higher purchase costs and maintenance interventions. The latter are carried out to prevent the wood from deforming and losing its impermeability. In addition, thick and heavy wooden profiles of shutters and shutters usually take up more space than PVC and aluminum.

Aluminum blinds

• Advantages: Aluminum shading systems are very light and are equipped with thin profiles. They are available in wood-effect colors that are difficult to distinguish from the original. They are resistant to external agents (usually do not deform over time). They also resist very well to possible break-in attempts;
• Disadvantages: to provide excellent performance in terms of thermal insulation they must have thermal break windows , in fact aluminum is a conductor of heat. As a further disadvantage there are the costs which can be very high.

PVC blinds

• Advantages: PVC blinds have excellent thermal and acoustic insulation and resistance to atmospheric agents. In addition, PVC is a fireproof material. With sudden changes in temperature it does not allow the formation of condensation. This material is light and available in various finishes and colors, including the wood effect. Furthermore, a PVC blind does not require any particular maintenance other than normal daily cleaning;
• Disadvantages: if it is not a quality material (for example it does not have the CE marking) it can last much shorter and discolour.

Final thoughts on window blinds

As I told you earlier in the article, there is absolutely no one shade better than the others . Much depends on your particular needs for flexibility, security, rest and a desire for privacy

Without a thorough evaluation you will hardly be able to find the best blackout systems for your home.

I hope that this guide of mine analyzing the various types of window blinds has been useful for you in evaluating which system to choose.