Roller blinds on the balcony and loggia: what are they and how to choose?

Not only the windows in the apartment need a beautiful decoration. A balcony or loggia also deserves an aesthetic design. In addition, they perform another very important function - they scatter or completely block direct sunlight.

There is no point in hanging the usual curtains or lambrequins on the balcony. An already small room will seem even smaller. Apart from that, it is not very convenient, especially if you have a tilt-up design for opening windows.

The best solution would be to use roller blinds or blinds. But the latter lose in many ways. Firstly, they are more suitable for offices and do not create a cozy atmosphere. Secondly, the slats (the individual strips that make up the blinds) get very hot in the sun. If the side is sunny, children and other family members may even burn themselves when touched. And thirdly, lamellas often break, and replacing them is a rather complicated process.

Roller blinds (otherwise they are also called roller blinds) are devoid of such disadvantages. That is why they can increasingly be seen on the balconies and loggias of city apartments. Their main feature is an interesting and very convenient way of sliding. If we move the usual curtains to the sides, then the blinds are wrapped in a roll located at the top.

This is very convenient and practical for several reasons:

• when folded, they do not clutter up the space and do not interfere when opening or closing windows;
• less dust and dirt, as they are reliably protected by a box (when folded).

But these are not all the features of roller blinds. And if you still doubt your choice, then we suggest that you get to know the features of this piece of furniture better.

1. Reliable fastening mechanism. Unlike blinds, which break very often, roller blinds are equipped with a reliable mechanism. Of course, it can also break down during careless use and prolonged use, but this happens much less often.
2. Variety of fastening methods... Depending on the features of the windows and the room itself, the blinds can be mounted either on the ceiling or on the wall above the window, or directly on the frame itself. This is very convenient, since you yourself can choose the best and most acceptable option for you. For example, if a stretch ceiling has already been installed on the loggia, then fastening can only be carried out on a wall or frame.
3. The possibility of replacing the blade... If after some time you get tired of the pattern or shade of your roller blinds, then you can easily replace the canvas. In this case, it will no longer be necessary to spend money on the mechanism itself.
4. Do not interfere when closing / opening windows... Conventional curtains and blinds will invariably prevent free access to and opening of the window. For roller blinds, this nuance is also thought out. If they are installed on the frame, they do not interfere at all, since they will only cover the glass. The window handle and fastening areas will be free.

Among other benefits.

1. The ability to adjust the degree of illumination... Roller blinds are installed separately on each sash. This makes it possible to open them to a different amount in each area, which allows you to adjust the degree of illumination of the room. For example, you can close them halfway to block direct sunlight, or you can only close the side window through which the sun is shining.
2. The fabric is environmentally friendly and easy to clean. Manufacturers offer a wide range of fabrics for roller blinds. They differ not only in pattern, but also in composition. Therefore, you can easily find the option that is right for you. You can choose an inexpensive and practical PVC option, or you can decorate the windows with natural and eco-friendly bamboo, linen or satin.
3. They do not heat up... Since the canvas is made of fabric, it will not heat up like the slats on the blinds.
4. Blinds can be easily installed both on plastic or aluminum windows, and on wooden ones. This versatility is made possible by a variety of mounting methods.

Here we will focus specifically on the material of the canvas, since the structure and fastening mechanism are most often made of metal or aluminum. The material of the canvas is most often selected based on personal preference and the desired degree of shading.

A good option for a city apartment. Such balcony curtains will create coziness and will protect you from direct sunlight.

• Linen. Natural material. It should be borne in mind that due to the peculiarities of natural fiber, it is rarely dyed in bright colors. All of its shades have a muted color and are close to the natural colors of nature.

• Cotton. Another natural material that is well suited for roller blinds. Cotton fabrics can be either very dense or completely weightless. Pay attention to the quality of their color. Over time, they can fade and lose their aesthetic appearance.

• Organza... Suitable for rooms with poor lighting.Translucent fabric is not able to block the sun's rays. Here you can only count on the fact that the curtains will refract and diffuse it. If the balcony is on the shady side, then this is a great option. The room will be beautifully decorated, but not completely darkened.

• Jacquard. A beautiful jacquard pattern can transform even the most boring and ordinary balcony. The patterns on the fabric are not printed, but are the result of a special weave of threads.

• Satin... Beautiful silky material with excellent performance. Its cost will be an order of magnitude higher, but it's worth it. Due to the special weaving of threads, the material is resistant to wear, abrasion, fading and does not deform.

• Silk. A beautiful natural material with a pleasant shine. When buying, pay attention to its quality. Good silk cannot be cheap.

• Dimaut. If you like pleasant pearlescent iridescence, then these curtains are for you. In addition to the aesthetic component, such pearlescent spraying also performs another very important function - it repels (reflects) the sun's rays. Due to this, light does not penetrate the balcony and the room does not heat up.

• Blackout. Designed to completely block the entry of light inside. Perfect for loggias and balconies on the sunny side. If the room to which the balcony is attached has panoramic windows, then this will allow you to immerse it in darkness even during the day. Blackout is made from a very dense fabric.

• Day Night. The degree of illumination of the room is regulated by the width of the alternating transparent and dense stripes on the curtains. It is very convenient. In essence, they are close to blinds, only they have a completely different mechanism. The stripes are not separate parts, but are connected into a single web.

• Blended fabric (screen)... It is a dense fabric with the addition of fiberglass. This ensures a long lifespan for the curtains, resistance to fading and protection from the sun.

Not only fabric can be used as balcony curtains. Blinds may well be made of materials such as wood, bamboo or jute.

Bamboo will add a tropical island feel to your balcony. If the idea is supported by the rest of the design of the room, then you can get a cozy space where summer always reigns.

Jute is a strong and durable material. Jute fabric looks like a weave of many small reeds and gives the room the maximum naturalness and closeness to nature.

Many are ditching polyester in favor of natural materials. In his defense, we can say that today you can find high-quality PVC, which not only has a long service life and is not afraid of moisture, but is also absolutely safe for health.

The choice of the color of the canvas determines what impression will be produced not only by the curtains themselves, but also by the room in general. Most often, it is advised to choose neutral light shades. But this is not the only option for roller blinds.

• Pastel shades. They are pleasing to the eye and create a cozy atmosphere on the balcony. In addition, light shades are suitable for almost any interior. Another advantage of using light curtains will be the visual expansion of the space. Since a balcony or loggia cannot always boast of a large square, this aspect is very important.

• Bright curtains. For cheerful, cheerful natures, bright colors of curtains are suitable. They cheer up and energize. Even on a cloudy day, it will always be festive and fun on your balcony. It's worth noting that there are several options here.You can choose one bright color for all doors, or you can dream up and make a combination of several bright colors.

• Monochrome. If you do not want to "dress" all windows in a single color, then you can choose a monochrome combination based on one color scheme. For example, by combining beige and coffee canvases, you will get an interesting and unusual window design. It can also be other colors. In this case, it is better to focus on your own preferences and desires.

We have already considered the possibility of bright and monochrome combinations. But the choice doesn't end there.

Based on the design of the balcony and your preferences, you can choose other combinations that suit you.

Popular solid colors.

• White. Fills the room with light, giving it volume.

• Green. Soothes and tune in a positive way.

• Beige. Creates a neutral background, but not as easily soiled as pure white.

• Lilac... A delicate color that creates a romantic mood.

• Orange. Bright and bold, it gives a boost of energy and helps to lift the mood.

Designers and manufacturers offer many design ideas for roller blinds. A wide selection will allow you to find your own unique shade and pattern. It is almost impossible to list them all. The most popular and demanded drawings are:

• floral motives;

• natural flavor;

• ornaments and patterns;

• geometry;

• combination of several colors;

• Photo curtains.

If you have never met with roller blinds before, but want to choose the best option for yourself, then heed our advice. They will help you find the best option. We will give the main parameters when choosing curtains. It will be necessary to decide on each of them. Then from all the variety you can choose your ideal option.

1. Style. If your entire apartment is made in a certain style, then the balcony should also support this trend.
2. Fastening. For sliding structures, a ceiling mount is suitable, and for folding structures, almost any can be used.
3. Darkening... The degree of shading (transparency of the canvas) is selected based on the illumination of the balcony in the daytime. Reverse transparency should also be taken into account. In the evening you will be clearly visible from the street if you choose the minimum blackout.
4. The reliability of the company. Before contacting a company for a purchase, check its reliability, read reviews, ask friends and acquaintances. French blinds are one of the market leaders, but our domestic manufacturers are also trustworthy.
5. The quality of the canvas and fasteners. Don't skimp on quality. Solid roller blinds will serve you faithfully for more than one year.

There are several options for attaching the roller blind. Each of them has its own pros and cons.

• Ceiling. The box is attached directly to the ceiling. Not suitable for stretch ceilings if a curtain beam has not been laid in advance.

• On the wall. The box is installed directly above the window. The width of the box allows the curtain to rise and fall freely.

• To the window... Here you can do without drilling. Some models come with a special tape. It will be enough just to stick it to the box, and then to the window frame.

Roller blinds for a balcony or loggia are an excellent modern solution... They are practical, easy to install, and the variety of shades, patterns and textures is amazing. Today this is the most successful solution for decorating windows on the balcony.

How to install "Day-Night" roller blinds, see the next video.