When choosing curtains for a balcony, it is impossible to focus only on appearance: taking into account the characteristics of the space being decorated, you also need to think about ergonomic issues. The small area and the need for free opening of the shutters dictate their requirements for balcony curtains. Firstly, they should not visually burden the situation and hide the space. Secondly, you should be able to easily open the doors without getting tangled in the curtains or making unnecessary movements. Roller blinds are the perfect option!
What design possibilities does choosing this type of window decoration provide? It turns out that there are many options for designing balcony shutters using fabric roller shutters, and among them there are not only laconic solutions, but also very sophisticated ones. Confirmation is in this selection of photographs with examples of roller blinds on loggias and balconies.
Practical aesthetics
Roller blinds are a sheet of fabric or a material that replaces it, wound on a shaft. They are also called fabric roller blinds or roller blinds. When rising and falling, they slide along the sash, retain their shape, remaining even and smooth. More convenient are models that fit tightly to the window due to special latches. Budget options hang freely, but do not flutter - they are pulled down by a weighting plastic bar.
If you are hanging fabric roller shutters on the balcony, attach them directly to the shutters. This is the point of using this type of curtains on loggias and balconies! You can easily open or open the door without moving the curtains.
Adjusting the position of the roller blinds is easy: just pull the chain or cord. This way you can choose the desired level of lighting on the balcony or loggia. And owners of Smart Home systems connect electric drives to roller blinds and use remote control.
Laconic, but not boring
Roller blinds are addressed to fans of austere beauty. The use of fabric when creating this window frame makes the atmosphere on the loggia more comfortable than when installing aluminum or plastic blinds. At the same time, the laconic design of fabric roller shutters allows you to maintain a sense of space even on small balconies.
The fabric itself can be dense, translucent, or translucent. Visually light options are perfect for small balconies and loggias. It makes sense to decorate a south-facing balcony with thick roller blinds to protect yourself from sun rays and heat in the summer. But it is better to decorate a loggia facing north with translucent fabric roller shutters.
The same principle is used when choosing a color: the less sun and the smaller the area, the lighter the curtains on the balcony should be. However, there is always room for exceptions in design!
When choosing roller blinds for a balcony or loggia, pay attention to the “Day - Night” models. They allow you to adjust the luminous flux without changing the position of the roller blinds.
Bamboo roller blinds are practical and environmentally friendly. They are chosen by fans of environmentally friendly and simply non-standard, original solutions.
If you want to add elegance to the decor of your loggia, pay attention to transparent roller blinds with lace-like patterns. They are both functional and elegant.
It is possible that you will be interested in roller blinds with photo printing. For a balcony, it is better to choose translucent ones, since the colors will already be bright.
It should be noted that the times when roller blinds were associated with laconicism, rigor and “office” look have already passed. Now you have many colorful and even luxurious options at your disposal!
Nowadays, the balcony has gradually turned from a traditional warehouse of unnecessary things into a comfortable place to relax. If you glazed it to prevent excess dust and for better sound insulation, then you will need curtains to create a cozy atmosphere.
Features and Benefits
Roller blinds are a fabric fabric that, using a special mechanism, can be easily lowered and raised to the desired length. Buying roller blinds for your balcony is a very popular solution for a number of reasons. This:
- stylish, laconic appearance;
- ease of use (the fabric is coated with a special dust- and dirt-repellent composition, so they do not require frequent washing);
- long service life;
- compact size (attached directly to the window frame and does not take up extra space);
- the ability to choose a canvas of any width, even for a narrow side window.
Varieties
This model has two varieties - open and closed. In the case of an open roller shutter, the roller shutter is wound onto a shaft at the top of the window. In the closed version, the canvas is rolled under a special box attached to the window frame. This creates the effect of a single window and curtain design.
Color solutions
Since the illumination of the room adjacent to it depends on the lighting of the balcony, it is better to give preference to fabrics of light colors that allow the sun’s rays to pass through. Thick white canvases are always appropriate and beautiful, but if they are too light, then you can choose olive and beige.
If your windows face the northern shady side, then bright colors will look good - orange, fuchsia, light green. For too sunny sides, cool shades are better - pale blue, light gray, ecru.
Not only monotonous curtains look beautiful, but also curtains with patterns - floral prints and ornaments. A canvas with a pattern several tones darker than the background looks stylish. Fabrics with contrasting, alternating stripes are always relevant.
The main rule is that the color of the paintings should be in harmony with the color scheme of the adjacent room, since the balcony is clearly visible through the door and window.
When choosing curtains, you should adhere to the following principles:
- They should fit organically into the interior of the room and not destroy the overall picture;
- The color of the canvas should be darker or lighter than the color of the walls, as a complete merger looks ugly. It’s good if the color matches the furniture or rugs;
- A large pattern on the fabric looks good on small windows. For large ones, it is better to choose curtains with a small pattern.
- You can use curtains of different colors and densities on the balcony door and windows. If the door is completely glass, it is not necessary for the panel to reach the bottom. A length of 3⁄4 is quite sufficient.
- You should not burden them with unnecessary decorative elements that do not carry a functional load - this will only take up extra space and create a feeling of disorder.
Which is better: blinds or roller blinds?
Because of their design, roller blinds are often called fabric blinds. Both are easy to handle, compact in size and have a long service life. Their prices are also about the same (simple plastic blinds are often cheaper).
To avoid prying eyes and excessive light intensity, it becomes necessary to install blinds on the balcony. Adjustable curtains are easy to install yourself, but before that you need to understand the design and features of useful devices.
For their main purpose, blinds on the balcony regulate the light flux to the extent that is convenient for the homeowner. Swivel slats perform this function better than traditional sliding curtains. In the dark, blinds cover the illuminated balcony from the views of curious neighbors on the floor or from the neighboring area.
When choosing blinds for a balcony, lovers of home comfort first of all pay attention to the material of the curtains. This is reasonable, since the closed curtains of vertical models completely cover the glazed wall of the loggia, becoming the central detail of the interior.
When choosing a model, practical considerations must also be taken into account. For balconies located on the south side of the building, curtains are chosen from materials with minimal light transmission (aluminum, wood, dense fabrics). In summer, on such a balcony or loggia, half-open thick curtains on open windows will bring shade and coolness.
Video tips for choosing blinds:
Vertical blinds for the northern loggia can completely shade the room, so it is better to choose translucent materials. For lovers of floriculture who have equipped a loggia with a wide window sill, it is better to choose a horizontal or roll design, the narrow slats of which will not touch flower pots and plants.
There are installation restrictions for different designs. Vertical and roller blinds are installed on separate glazing sashes. They cannot be installed on sliding windows. When choosing blinds, you need to give preference to vertical models. Their cornice is easy to install at a minimum distance from the window frame, while the fabric of the rotating slats will not interfere with the movement of the sliding sashes.
Attention: if you have installed, forget about vertical and roll structures. The manufacturer prohibits the installation of hanging devices on aluminum window frames.
For bamboo, jute, wooden models, you need to choose a Japanese, Chinese or exotic loggia design style (ethnic, country). In standard interiors, such materials look unnatural.
How to properly attach blinds
To install blinds on a balcony with your own hands, a DIYer will need a smaller set of tools than when installing glazing or plastic balcony blocks. To install the cornice, you need to have in your home “arsenal” or buy:
- marking tools (pencils, ruler, tape measure);
- several screwdrivers and hardware;
- drill and set of drills;
- mounting gun for driving in dowels (when installing a cornice on a concrete loggia ceiling).
Taking measurements
Measurements are taken before purchasing a specific device model. Having chosen a horizontal device, measure the width and height of the upper sash of the window frame. Accuracy to the millimeter is necessary, since the protruding cornice will prevent the window from opening. The width of the selected horizontal cornice or roll-up frame depends on the height of the double-glazed window.
When measuring the width, take into account the location of the window handle, which should not interfere with the movement of the slats.
When measuring for vertical blinds, precision accuracy is not needed, but you need to take into account that the length of the cornice should be 8 - 10 centimeters wider than the window opening. Otherwise, you will not have room to place the assembled lamella pack on the side.
Installation of cornice with drilling
Drilling installation is used for all structures. Using screws, self-tapping screws, and dowels, the cornice is attached to the window frame (for horizontal, roller blinds) or to the ceiling or walls of the loggia (for vertical structures). Installation of roller blinds on a loggia is complicated by the dimensions and weight of the box, for which the glazing must be equipped with a massive frame.
When installing the device, perform the following operations:
- Mark the places for fastening the cornice.
- Drill holes in the window frame, the walls of the loggia, and the ceiling of the balcony. For concrete walls, drills with pobedit surfacing are used.
- Screw the brackets. To install the cornices of vertical blinds, it is rational to use construction dowels, which are driven in with a special gun.
- We attach the cornice.
- On the lower part of the frame, under the glazing beads, mark the exit points of the fishing line threaded through the slats of the blinds, and drill the same neat holes.
- Remove the plugs from the ends of the planks.
- We remove another round plug, under which there is a unit.
- Remove the bottom bar by untying the two knots.
- We remove excess plates from below if the blinds are too long.
- We attach a plastic rotating mechanism (transparent stick) to the hook.
- Insert the bottom bar and cut off the protruding threads.
- We insert all the pulled out plugs.
- Take a plastic retainer.
- We make markings, drill holes, and fasten the fastener with a screw.
- We fasten the clamp on the other side.
- We insert the bottom bar into the clamps.
- The ends of the fishing line are inserted into the plugs, and the plugs are inserted into the holes in the frame, resulting in tension in the fishing line.
- We check the functionality.
Installation without drilling
Without drilling, only light horizontal blinds are mounted on glazing sashes. Fastening with magnets is only nominally a gentle method, since the magnets are secured with screws. On the casements of plastic windows, the cornice can be hung using hanging brackets made of the same material. The cutout in the upper part of the bracket must exactly match the edge of the sash in size and shape.
Currently, a balcony or loggia has ceased to be a warehouse for unnecessary rubbish, but has begun to turn into cozy rooms for relaxation. Windows are their main part, so properly selected roller blinds will help create stylish accents, as well as visually increase or decrease the area of the balcony.
Distinctive characteristic
There is a huge variety of roller blinds. In order for you to make the right choice, you need to pay attention, first of all, to the shape, size of the window and the features of its glazing. When choosing a product hastily, the possibility of purchasing an option that does not fit in size increases, which will reduce its functionality. So incorrectly selected roller blinds can quickly get dirty or tear.
The mini size of the curtains will help to “zone” the balcony frame, which will be an excellent solution for small loggias and for pivoting plastic windows. And for balconies with blind windows and high ceilings, wide standard canvases that are attached to the very top are suitable.
Products can be installed at the height that you need. In this case, the canvas will not interfere with indoor plants and will be convenient to use.
One of the main advantages of this window design is its compactness. Thanks to their flat design, roller blinds are able to create the right lighting in the room, which helps to visually increase its area and create a comfortable design.
Also, such curtains do not require complex care or long washing. They are manufactured using dirt-repellent material, for which cleaning with a vacuum cleaner, brush or upholstery cleaner will suffice.
The countless colors and fabric types of roller blinds make them suitable for any type of interior. There is also the possibility of choosing transparent curtains for balconies located on the north side. And for the south side, there are products made from dense “dimout” fabric, which does not allow bright sunlight to pass through and maintains a comfortable temperature. Additionally, you can choose a special hypoallergenic impregnation that allows you to adjust the lighting in the room.
For those who do not have information about the sizes, shapes and glazing of windows, it is best to seek help from a specialist who will answer all your questions and help you make the right choice. You can also order curtains according to individual preferences, which will help create a unique and inimitable stylish detail in your home.
Today, the balcony has ceased to be a warehouse for unnecessary things. At the peak of popularity - turning it into a recreation area. Some people insulate the balcony and connect it to the room, some do renovations there and install upholstered furniture, and some simply update the ceilings and walls.
Be that as it may, curtains on the balcony have now become not just a decorative item, but also an accessory that performs certain necessary functionality. And one of their most popular types are roller blinds for balconies.
Types
Curtains on the balcony play an important practical role - they protect the room from bright sunlight and do not allow strangers to see what is happening in your home. But their decorative function is also great - they create a cozy atmosphere in the room.
Roller blinds (roller blinds) have a number of advantages over conventional ones. One of the most important: they do not visually reduce the size of the room. They make a room or balcony look freer.
Such high-quality curtains are easy to care for, they are easy to remove, wash or clean, and they don’t have to be ironed for a long time.
It doesn't matter what your window frame is made of - wood or plastic, roller blinds can be attached to any material and will hold up very well.
Even the most picky customers can choose them, since there are a large number of different types of such products:
- The simplest roller blinds are fabric impregnated with a special compound that repels dirt and moisture. The web is wound using a manual or mechanical drive on a special shaft. The width of the canvas can be any and in simple designs it usually hangs freely along the glass. There is a slight weight at the end of the blade.
- There are also more complex “cassette” designs. They have the sides of the canvas tucked into special strips, which ensures a tighter fit to the glass.
- In some versions of roller shutters, the upper shaft is closed with a special design, which creates a single concept with the entire window frame.
- Day-night curtains, which are gaining popularity, are made up of alternating strips of dense and translucent material. By rotating the strips, you can vary the light transmission of such roller shutters.
- Curtains differ in material. There are roller shutters made from regular and thick fabric that does not transmit light. There are curtains whose fabric is made of bamboo. Bamboo roller shutters look the most noble and are considered one of the most environmentally friendly.
- The material of roller shutters may also vary. There are options that do not transmit light at all and transmit only a little. There are also more transparent and opaque options. This is especially important for those who live on the lower floors.
In addition, roller shutters differ in their design. There are both simpler solid colors and bright large or small prints. Often, in order to diversify your interior, you buy curtains of different colors and combine them on one balcony.
Another advantage of roller blinds is that they do not accumulate dust. Ordinary curtains collect all the street dust that we then breathe. And it is a good environment for many pathogenic bacteria and contributes not only to the spread of various viruses, but also to the development of chronic diseases.
Which is better - blinds or roller blinds?
In terms of functionality, roller blinds and blinds are very similar. But roller shutters are usually made from a single fabric. In this case, the blinds are assembled from small longitudinal or transverse strips. The material of the blinds can also be different. There are both lightweight metal, plastic and fabric blinds.
Typically, blinds are used in office spaces. Therefore, using them in an apartment gives the interior a rather austere look. At the same time, roller blinds, on the contrary, make the room more comfortable.
Fabric blinds most often have vertical stripes. And their disadvantage is that the tapes are not secured at the bottom, which means they can let light through, for example, when the wind blows.
Both blinds and roller blinds are distinguished by their affordable prices. Of course, depending on the materials, this price may vary. But on average, given the convenience of roller options, it is lower than for conventional fabric curtains.
Design examples
There are many design variations. But do not forget that when choosing, you need to focus on the room in which the roller blinds are located. If you choose them correctly, you can change the visual perception of a balcony or room.