In city apartments, it is often practiced to increase space by expanding the balcony; it is insulated and turned into part of the room or a small office. As a result, if previously it was enough to cover only the windows in the room with curtains, now you also need to curtain the balcony, since in the summer it will not be comfortable to be on it without curtains. Roller blinds are an excellent solution for such purposes.
Our website presents a wide selection of systems and fabrics to complete the task. To easily choose a system, you will need to understand the distinctive features of the systems and the types of their installation.
Types of sun protection systems for balconies
The following systems are used for shading balcony windows:
Curtains are classic drapes, which are rarely used anymore, especially on balconies. Due to its large dimensions and ability to accumulate dust. They remain relevant due to the classic appearance, since most people still prefer an abundance of fabric even if it is a balcony, as well as many variations in fabrics that can be washed, which compensates for their ability to get dirty.
If you have a large balcony, you can use French curtains on it; they give the room a luxurious, rich look; in addition, they allow you to choose light fabrics without a strong darkening effect, since the light from the balcony should often also illuminate the room and there is no point in covering it heavily with curtains. A light fabric that will diffuse the sun's rays and stop excess heat is enough.
Roman curtains. The design of curtains has not changed since their inception, but surprisingly it has passed through time and is still relevant due to its classic appearance. The Roman blind is a single piece of fabric that rises and folds in waves thanks to rigid transverse rods inside the fabric. To install curtains, modern curtain rods with high-quality mechanisms are used that automatically fix the fabric at the required height. Roman shades use a looped chain control that allows multiple turns of the chain on the mechanism to ensure smooth operation of the shade.
Blinds. There are two types of blinds. Horizontal ones made of aluminum or wooden slats and vertical ones made of fabric vertical strips. This is one of the standard types of sun protection that is successfully used everywhere, including the balcony. For some people, this may seem like a too ascetic solution that turns a house into an office, but in fact, such blinds cope perfectly with the hot rays of the sun and do not allow the room to overheat, this is especially true for a balcony because the glazing is often large and it is necessary to ensure only sun protection, but also to protect it from heat. Blinds consist of individual slats and do not create a continuous closed canvas, which contributes to good air flow in the room. Due to this property, vertical blinds are often used in office spaces, as they do not interfere with air circulation.
Pleated. These products use a special pleated fabric that folds like an accordion and the product takes up a minimum amount of space. Pleated windows are perfect for wide and low windows, which are often used at the top of the balcony. Pleated fabric does not have a shaft where the fabric is wound, and since the height of the products is small, installation of additional mechanisms is not required. Also, pleated doors can be easily closed with other types of sashes. A special feature of pleated systems is the ability to install them on window openings of any shape, including trapezoids, arches, semi-arches, and triangles. At the same time, the system remains fully functional and can also be opened fully or partially. Also, pleated pleats with full fixation can be placed anywhere in the window and open in any direction, that is, the fabric can move both from bottom to top and vice versa from top to bottom. Thanks to this functionality, pleated windows can be easily mounted on inclined windows, for example, attic or balcony windows where you want to leave The top part is open to provide light and the bottom part is closed to protect from sunlight.
Roller shutters. Protective roller shutters are one of the best means of sun protection, as they completely block the light flux and provide maximum protection from solar heat. The system is also easily controlled either electrically or manually using appropriate mechanisms indoors. Although protective roller shutters are a very good tool, it is often not accepted to install them on balconies and loggias, so this option is more suitable for protecting windows rather than balconies.
Roller blinds. They are a rectangular fabric that is wound on a special shaft. The system is controlled by a chain mechanism and is available in both open and closed types. An extremely practical solution for a balcony, since roller blinds leave a free window sill and can be easily mounted either on a separate sash or on the entire opening, which allows you to cover several shutters with one product.
Day Night. The system is slightly similar to roller blinds, but has fundamental differences. The fabric in day-night curtains is arranged in two layers and has dark and transparent stripes. Thanks to this solution, the curtain can either completely cover the window or switch to the “day” position in which dark stripes alternate, leaving transparent gaps. These curtains are often called "zebra" because of their striped appearance. Day-night is an excellent solution, especially for balconies because they combine the functionality of roller blinds, blinds and tulle at the same time. You can look through the curtain or close yourself completely from the sun's rays.
Types of roller blinds for the balcony
Despite the simplicity in the design of roller blinds, there are several fundamental differences in the supplied products.
Design features - in open systems, the fabric is located from the shaft to the lower bead and covers the light opening. In this case, the open system can be free-hanging, but also equipped with an additional “string” fixation to hold the lower weighting material in the plane of the sash. With a fixation, the curtain does not dangle in the wind and does not deviate from the window when the sashes are installed for ventilation. The closed system, in turn, is equipped with a protective aluminum box that hides the mechanisms and protects the fabric from contamination (of course, if the curtain is folded into it). The closed system is also equipped with aluminum guides; this is a more advanced fixation method, in which the fabric on the sides is held in the plane of the window, but the guides also hide side glare, which allows you to completely block the light flux using curtains.
Type of control - in simple systems, the curtain is controlled using a chain that controls the movement of the shaft. There are also systems with an electric motor that are controlled by a remote control or switch. There are also products with a spring mechanism, in which a special charged spring is responsible for lifting the fabric. Spring mechanisms hold the fabric in a taut position, which allows you to install curtains on roof windows without sagging the fabric.
Fabric material - often roller blinds are made of 100% polyester, since this material is most suitable for this type of product. It does not fade or get dirty, and is also easily wound into a small roll, but let’s consider all the available fabric options among roller blinds.
Natural - Linen, cotton, satin, paper, as well as bamboo and jute.
Artificial - polyester. Viscose, fiberglass and PVC.
All fabrics for roller blinds are coated with special antistatic dust-repellent compounds, which extend the life of the curtains and protect them from fading.
Purpose of the fabric. Roller blind fabrics are divided into several conditional groups.
Partially transparent - Most fabrics for roller blinds fall into this category. Almost every fabric will partially transmit sunlight, from 30 to 70%. Such curtains are used on balconies as well as in the kitchen and living room. also well suited for a nursery if daytime naps are not required, as light will enter the room even when the curtain is closed.
Blackout - Special series of fabrics with 100% blackout. It has a rubberized base, which allows you to completely block the light flux. Such curtains are used in rooms where complete darkness is required during the day, for example, a bedroom, a home theater, or a conference room with a projector.
Day-night - Day-night fabrics are a separate type of product, but they can also be classified as a subtype of roller blinds. As mentioned earlier, day-night fabric consists of alternating dense and transparent stripes, this allows the fabric to be used most effectively in all types of rooms. Also in the day-night series there are blackout curtains that complement the functionality in the form of 100% blackout.
Type of fixation - One of the advantages of roller blinds over other systems is the ability to be fixed on flaps without sagging the fabric.
Fixation using guides is available by default in closed systems, and it is also possible to order guides separately for open systems.
“String” fixation - two fishing lines run along the sides of the system, which hold the fabric in the plane of the sashes. The string is a very effective fixation system as it allows you to hold the fabric in any position, regardless of whether the curtain is fully or partially open.
Magnets - with magnetic fixation, special magnets are fixed on the bottom weight bar, which hold the curtain in the lowest position. As soon as the curtain falls down, the magnets snap onto special counters and prevent the fabric from dangling in the wind. The disadvantage of this system is that it only works if the curtain is fully closed. When partially opened, the curtain remains unfixed, since the magnets do not hold it. On the other hand, the system has no side lines, which makes the system easier to visualize.
Installation type - Roller blinds, like blinds, are installed on plastic windows in several ways.
Self-tapping screws are one of the most effective and practical ways to fix curtains. When fastened with self-tapping screws, the curtain will not come off when heated or under increased load, which primarily ensures the safety of operating the product.
Bracket hook - Special brackets cling to the sash, which hold the curtain without fastening with self-tapping screws. Such brackets have both pros and cons. Plus, it is possible to fasten the curtain without screws, which allows you to avoid drilling extra holes in the window profile. The downside is that installation is intended only for tear-off sashes, since it will be impossible to catch on the blind ones.
Tape mounting - The rarest installation option that many people talk about, but few are ready to use. When installed with adhesive tape, it is possible to glue the curtain to the sash without drilling, but there is a significant drawback: the curtain receives load when opening through the control mechanism, so when the windows heat up, the adhesive tape loses its ability to fix and can come off. If this happens when you try to open the curtain, it may come off in your direction, which is at least not safe. Therefore, we do not recommend this fixation option to our clients.
There are also bamboo roller shutters; for the bottom, special mechanisms are used that roll the fabric into a neat roll. Such curtains have several types of opening from Roman to roller, as well as eco and premium curtain rods with various control mechanisms. Bamboo curtains are natural fabrics and are characterized by the corresponding qualities characteristic of bamboo. Low thermal conductivity, as well as natural products, always have a unique appearance and do not emit harmful fumes when the canvas is heated.
Advantages and disadvantages of fabric roller blinds
Roller blinds on the balcony are in great demand because they have their own characteristics, which we will consider below:
A large selection of fabric shades, as well as textured and reflective products with lurex threads. Thanks to this choice, curtains can be installed in conjunction with any interior design and the curtain will only be an addition and decoration that fits harmoniously into the overall picture.
Manufactured to individual sizes. Fabric and other components are cut individually for each order, so each curtain will fit perfectly into its place without the need for trimming or other inconveniences.
The cost of the product depends directly on the size of the fabric and the chosen system, so when ordering products in individual sizes, you only pay for the materials used and the work of the craftsmen without overpaying for excess fabric and components.
Curtains can be easily mounted on metal-plastic, as well as wooden and aluminum windows. A Phillips screwdriver is sufficient for installation. If you have a screwdriver and a level, this will further facilitate the installation of curtains.
Mechanisms for roller blinds are universal and allow you to mount products both on the shutters and on the opening, or in the wall and on the ceiling. There are also no problems with installing curtains on the balcony and other vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Roller blinds easily provide complete darkening of the room up to 100% thanks to special blackout fabrics and systems with guides that cover the side gaps of the fabric.
When installing the curtain on the sash, the fabric is located in close proximity to the window frame and does not take up extra space. Due to its compactness, the curtain leaves the window sill free and thereby increases the usable space in the room. This is especially true for the kitchen and balcony, but it won’t hurt in other rooms.
The fabric does not require special care, as it is treated with special impregnations, does not accumulate dust and can be easily cleaned with a damp sponge.
If you made a mistake in the measurements and the curtain turned out to be larger than necessary, we strongly do not recommend trying to reduce it yourself at home. The fabric is cut with a special knife, which prevents the edges of the fabric from unraveling, not to mention the accuracy of the cut, which affects the winding parameters of the fabric. If you made a mistake in the dimensions, it is better to contact the curtain manufacturer, and he will easily cut it to the required size.
How to choose a curtain
When choosing curtains for a balcony or loggia, do not forget about the conditions in which the curtain will be located. When weather conditions change, the humidity or temperature on the balcony may increase. Also, the curtain is exposed to constant sunlight and pollution from the street during the day. When choosing, you should pay attention to the following factors:
Since the fabric on the balcony is exposed to the sun's rays, it can gradually fade over time, even if it is stated that the fabric is fade-resistant, this will not provide the same appearance all the time. Brighter fabrics fade a little faster than lighter shades, for example, orange or bright red fabric fades faster than white and beige. It is also not recommended to use blackout fabrics on the balcony since the balcony itself must be illuminated and the room behind it will be darkened so densely that you will either have to keep the curtain open during the day or turn on the light in the room.
When using casement windows on the balcony, a mini system with additional fixation is often installed, which ensures comfortable operation of the products even in strong winds.
Roller blinds for balconies should be chosen from synthetic fabrics; they have increased resistance to environmental factors, as well as fading and stains. Also, an additional advantage will be easy care of the fabric.
If the balcony is located on the sunny side and is constantly overheated due to sunlight, especially in the summer, it is recommended to use reflective fabrics that are not absorbed, but reflect some of the light and heat from the windows. Such fabrics will significantly reduce the heating of the room and do not heat up even on the sunny side.
When choosing the color of the fabric, you should start from the interior of the balcony. Even if you want to choose a curtain to match the color of the walls, you should change the curtain to a couple of tones in a lighter or darker direction so as not to create the effect of a monotonous monochrome room.
Bottom line
Roller blinds are a practical and inexpensive way of sun protection for a balcony, as well as any other premises. Curtains do not block the flow of sunlight, but gently diffuse it, removing glare, but leaving enough light for the room even when closed. Products are installed without special skills; all you need is a Phillips screwdriver, and the wide selection of fabrics and systems will not leave even the most sophisticated designers indifferent.