If you are considering adding roller blinds to your home, but are unsure of where to begin, you have come to the right place! Thanks to their modern aesthetic, insulation practicality, and interior decor attributes, it is easy to see why roller blinds are an increasingly popular choice for window furnishings.
It is staggering to think that these blinds have been around for over 300 years, having their origins in the early 17th century in Scotland. And while their basic operating mechanics have, for the most part, stayed the same, roller blinds have evolved into something much bigger and better than the standard window covering function that they were initially created for. Read on to find out more about these fantastic window furnishings.
What Are Roller Blinds?
First things first: What are roller blinds and how do they differ from, say, Vertical blinds or Venetian blinds? Well, as the name implies, it is a blind or window covering that “rolls” open or closed and features a single fabric as opposed to blinds with slats.
The main purpose of roller blinds, like most window furnishings, is to obscure the outside from the inside, or vice versa. But roller blinds also give homeowners a lot more flexibility in terms of utility and are highly practical when it comes to light control. They can serve as great insulators as well.
Different Types Of Roller Blinds
There are numerous different types of roller blinds on the market and it can be rather overwhelming for a newbie. Do you go for a motor-operated roller blinds system, or do you stick with the conventional chain-operated one? Do you prefer blockout shades or light filtering? Plain fabric or one that has a pattern? And if so, which material exactly? These are all simple, yet extremely valid questions in our opinion.
To help you make the most effective and suitable decision through all this, our team here at Watson Blinds is here to support you every step of the way.
Here is a quick summary of the different roller blind options we offer:
1. Blockout Roller Blinds
Our blockout roller blinds are designed to provide ultimate light control and paramount privacy by blocking out the majority of light from outside. Additionally, these types of blinds can even provide enhanced insulation that can reduce heat temperatures during the summer and retain it when needed in the winter, but more on that in a bit.
2. Sunscreen Roller Blinds
Sunscreen roller blinds gently diffuse any sunlight that penetrates them, with view-through fabric that enables you to enjoy the same views you normally would during the day without needing to sacrifice any daytime privacy. The sunscreen fabric is excellent for keeping any glare at bay, and the UV resistance protects your furniture from sun damage. Keep in mind, however, that the sunscreen fabric option does not offer the same privacy at night, which is why we recommend pairing them with a set of blockout blinds or curtains.
3. Light Filter Roller Blinds
Elegant, translucent, light filtering roller blinds are also great for filling your interior with diffused natural light. While you will not be able to see the view through these blinds, they offer the best of both worlds with both daytime and nighttime privacy. These types of blinds are a popular choice for windows in common areas and bathrooms though they are, naturally, not limited to these spaces alone.
4. Combo Roller Blinds
Getting the best of both worlds in roller blinds technology is made possible with our combo roller blinds. With these blinds, there is no need to compromise either your privacy or the scenery outside. With two different blind systems running on the same bracket, you can easily switch between the blockout layer for ultimate privacy or the sunscreen to let the light in while taking in the scenes.
Personalisation
At Watson Blinds, we know that no two homes, homeowners, or their tastes, are the same. This is why we encourage complete personalisation when it comes to your roller blinds. If you want to have a unique-to-you roller blind system fitted, we have you covered. And if you really want to set your roller blinds apart from the rest, you can personalise them in a number of ways.
You can choose from our range of fabrics, colours, as well as patterns – all in your preferred type of blinds, whether it be blockout, sunscreen, or a combination of both. But it doesn’t end there. You can finish off the whole aesthetic with a sleek cassette that gets fitted to the top of your blind with side channels – this will encourage a modern look with a neat, sophisticated finish. Not to mention, you also amplify insulation a hundredfold. Just head on over to our inspiration page to start planning your own design!
Reasons To Opt For Roller Blinds
We have touched on a few reasons why having roller blinds could work for you, but we have barely scratched the surface. They can, in fact, be extremely practical in several ways. Let us take a look at what some of them are:
1. Décor
Blinds are often overlooked as an integral part of a room’s décor. However, they can influence an entire room’s look and feel while tying everything inside it together. With the almost-endless number of designs, colours, patterns, and materials of roller blinds we have available here at Watson Blinds, we guarantee that we will be able to help you settle on something that will double as the décor piece you need to bring out the best atmosphere in any room.
2. Convenience
Not only in operation but in maintenance as well, roller blinds outshine other window furnishings quite comfortably. Not only are they easy to install, but they are super easy to use, whether by a manual chain-operated mechanism, remote control, or even WIFI – yes, there is an app for everything nowadays and roller blinds too, can be controlled at the touch of a button or a swipe on your phone.
Cleaning is also a breeze as you do not need any fancy equipment, nor a lot of patience (as with slat alternatives) to be able to clean roller blinds. All you have to do is to fully extend the blind, vacuum it for dust, and use a microfibre cloth with lightly-soaped water if there is any unwanted dirt or stains.
3. Versatile Practicality
Roller blinds serve many functions, most notably related to privacy and décor, as mentioned. But another pro is the fact that roller blinds function as fantastic insulators as well. Glass is notorious for being a terrible insulator, with up to 30% of air getting lost through windows in the cold months.
With roller blinds, this does not need to be the case anymore. Recent advancements and innovations in fabric technology have made it possible for blinds to reduce heat loss, which can translate into a third of energy savings.
4. Durability And Affordability
If you are looking to furnish multiple windows in your home, chances are that you would want to do so in the most economical way possible. Compared to conventional window coverings like curtains that could appear worn in a few years, roller blinds are a lot more affordable and durable. They are the go-to option for timeless longevity that is also easy on the pocket.
Why Choose Watson Blinds?
Roller blinds come in a near-infinite amount of different types. The styles, sizes, trends, and materials are almost endless, and as such, can make settling on a decision harder than it needs to be. We know that there is a simpler way to go about installing high-quality window coverings. Being a local manufacturer for over 50 years, with five showrooms to boot, has set us up with the know-how and expertise to know better than anyone what works and what does not.
Each home and its windows are unique, and would therefore require a bespoke solution for sleek sophistication that is measured, manufactured and installed with care. Most notably, we are still the only roller blinds factory that manufactures locally. This gives us complete control over our quality, enabling us to resolve queries on a much quicker scale than businesses that have to rely on other manufacturers.
Over and above this, we offer our clients the utmost peace of mind in the form of lifetime product warranties on all products manufactured in-house.
Feeling Inspired?
Want to get a look and feel for our roller blinds products, but not able to get out to one of our five showroom locations? No need to fret, you can visit our innovative virtual showroom instead and bring the Watson experience to wherever you are.
We strive to keep things easy – it is one of our four core values. If you are looking to upgrade your home with window furnishings, simply request an appointment with one of our experienced sales consultants via our easy-to-use booking tool. You will even get a $250 gift card to spend on any product you like… So what are you waiting for? Get in contact today!