Roller Blinds

Roller Blind Collage

Roller Blinds are a good practical choice for kitchens and bathrooms, without the bulk of curtains or Roman Blinds but providing that pop of colour and pattern. Roller blinds are also a popular choice to be used in conjunction with curtains in bedrooms to provide extra blackout or, when made in one of our sheer options, providing privacy during the daytime without necessitating the closing of curtains and plunging the room into darkness.

Tinsmiths roller blinds can be made in most cotton and linen fabrics, blinds come in one of two qualities:

  • “Laminated dim-out” where the face fabric is bonded to a dim out lining.
  • “Laminated black-out”  where the face fabric is bonded to a black-out lining and then stiffened and finished

Tinsmiths roller blinds have an overlock stitch edge to prevent fraying. With very tightly woven face fabric there could be an option not to have this overlocked edge, our Made to Measure team can advise you if your fabric choice is suitable for this option.

Roller blinds are generally fitted within the window recess (or on the frame for sash windows) as they roll up so neatly that they are extremely discrete when in the up position. Tinsmiths roller blinds come with sturdy metal brackets for fitting and can be face or top fixed ie. fixed to the window frame or fixed upwards at the top of the recess), as desired.

Measuring for Roller Blinds

The three measurements that we require to make a roller blind are:

  • The finished blind width
  • The finished blind length
  • The length from the top of the blind to the floor

Measure the recess width at the top, middle & bottom, (old properties in particular can be rather variable!) take the smallest measurement of the three.

Next measure the recess from top to bottom, this is the finished blind length. Then measure from the top to the floor – this is to allow us to calculate the length of beaded chain.

Take a width measurement in several places and supply the narrowest. Take a length measurement and supply without any deductions, lastly take a length measurement to the floor.

Other things to consider are:

  • whether your blind will be face fixed to the window frame or top fixed – which may be useful if you need clearance for window “furniture”.
  • which side you would like the controls to hang from
  • whether you require a processed blind or a dim-out blind
  • whether you require a traditionally rolled blind or a reversed rolled blind.Reverse rolled blinds are sometimes chosen when a bold print is used and the back of the fabric (which is usually showing on the roll) is a strong contrast.

Fitting a Roller Blind

Young children can strangle in the loop of pull cords and chains that operate window coverings. New safety regulations BS EN13120 apply from 28th February 2014; please read and follow the instructions provided with your blind and use the safety equipment suppplied. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Fitting your roller blind is fairly simple, you will need some tools:

  • A driller-driver or drill, with wood or masonry drill bits and posi-drive screwdriver
  • A Pencil
  • A spirit level – although judging by eye is often better!
  • The Blind, brackets and screws provided.
  • If you are fitting into masonry, you will need rawl plugs

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