0

Monthly Archives: March 2015

More about blinds and motorisation

If you’re in the market to buy blinds online you may well be looking for a number of products to fit out the various zones in your house. These might include venetian blinds, roller blinds, honeycomb blinds, panel blinds or a range of other options.

Venetian blinds are usually made from timber, PVC or aluminium and feature tilted slats that filter the light. They are great for wet areas such as bathrooms or more functional zones such as kitchens and offices. A real classic, roman blinds feature generous textile horizontal pleats that fold onto each other when the blind is raised. Pleated blinds have folded translucent fabric with a concertina or honeycomb construction. Traditionally used in offices or more functional settings, panel blinds have undergone something of a renaissance in recent years with the introduction of fabrics that include prints and higher quality textiles.

For some types of blind, motorisation is an increasingly popular choice as it can prolong the life of your blinds by removing the need to handle them excessively. It is also an elegant, easy and convenient way of controlling the amount of light and heat entering your home. Another advantage is that motorised blinds operate without the need for chains, ensuring the safety of children as the absence of a chain removes any choking hazard.

If you’re planning to buy blinds online it’s worth scoping out the motorisation options that might suit your financial and practical requirements.

Most online blind suppliers will offer two options to motorise your blinds; a wired motor or a wire free motor. The former involves a more powerful motor suitable for larger blinds or areas in which two or more blinds are linked together. With a built in radio receiver, it operates via a remote control. Another key point about to bear in mind about a wired motor is that it will require a licenced electrician to install.

Blinds

Meanwhile a wire free motor doesn’t require installation by an electrician and is also good for operating blinds up to two by two metres in dimension. This kind of motor also has a built in radio receiver and operates via remote control.

Motorised roller blinds generally come with the motor already installed inside the roller blind tube. You can also set the remote control limits for stopping your blind at pre-programmed positions. And of course, other types of blind can also be motorised. Blinds such as venetians blinds, roman blinds, or pleated/honeycomb or panel blinds work well with motorisation. The kind of blind you choose depends largely on the function you’d like it to perform within your home.

Whether you decide to choose motorised options or not, one of the best reasons to do so is their growing affordability. As market uptake of motorised products grows, the cost of purchasing and installing them continues to drop, meaning they are now more and more price accessible, even to those on a budget.

What to consider when buying low cost blinds

Windows are a key focal point for any home, and with blinds performing both a decorative and functional role, it’s no surprise that choosing a window treatment is often regarded as a priority for homeowners.

With the number of options available on the market, including roman blinds, venetian blinds, roller blinds, honeycomb blinds or panel blinds, selecting the right blind or any other kind of window treatment can be a daunting task, prompting questions not just about what kind of product you should purchase, but where you should buy it: should you try a blind store, a local home wares or DIY centre, or shop for cheap blinds online?

Low cost blinds

In terms of what product to choose, there are a few pointers worth considering:

Light and privacy – how much of each do you want? This may well depend on each room and its orientation. For example a bedroom may require block out fabric to minimise the amount of light that comes in, while a south facing street side living room may require sheer or mesh fabric that allows light in while also enhancing privacy. Consider the look you’re going for too; do you want a room that’s bright and airy and full of natural light or more snug and cosy. These factors will have a bearing on the styles and fabrics you choose.
Budget – are you fitting out just one room or the whole house? It may be worthwhile spending more on “high impact” windows such as those in a lounge or master bedroom and cutting back on others. Window treatments are priced by size, so the larger they are the bigger the price tag. Custom sizes and high design fabrics also add to the cost.
Safety – this is an important consideration that’s often overlooked.If you have small children in your household it’s key to invest in cordless blinds and shades as corded versions can be hazardous.
As for where to shop for your blinds, there are a few options:

Blind stores

Specialty blind stores will sell blinds and blinds alone, meaning their product knowledge and the service they offer should be second-to-none. The key advantage of buying here is that you should get great service. If you want something tailor made to fit a particular size window or an unusual shape, this is your best bet.

Homewares stores or DIY centres

If you’re working to a budget, many of Australia’s leading big box homewares or DIY stores should be able to cater to your needs. Bear in mind that you will probably be limited to ready made products and therefore restricted in terms of the fabrics and dimension available. You will also have to install the item yourself.

Online stores

Increasingly, businesses are taking advantage of the internet to keep their overheads low and supply low cost blinds online – many of these suppliers will sell both custom made and ready made blinds and despite the low price tag can often be impressive in terms of quality and service.