Roller Blinds Information

The information provided on this page is given as a guide to the terms used within the blinds industry.

Roller blinds are made from fabric rolled round a tubular roller mechanism. The blinds are pulled up and down with a chain and a bottom bar is added to improve the way the blind hangs.Various Types Roller Blinds

Standard Roller Blind

These blinds are made free hanging with metal roller or wood. The fabrics used in these blinds can be any thing from plain, patterns, solar reflective, blackout, fire retardant, anti bacterial, anti glare, can be suitable for moist conditions, can be wiped clean or have dim out. Additional finishing touches can be added by way of scallops, café rods or pulls.

Cassette Roller blinds

Blinds come in a head box, side and bottom channels as an option. Often used in dim-out blinds, solar reflective or insect screening. We do not currently sell these blinds on our online shop.

Spring Mechanism

A spring mechanism inserted into an aluminum tube, operated by cord control on endless loop for precise positioning. It is this that pulls the blind up and down.

Metal Spring Roller

The blind is usually pulled down by a centre cord. This allows the blind to stop wherever you would like it to as a result of this mechanism.

Wood Spring Roller

This works in a same way as the metal Spring Roller.

Decelerator Spring

As the spring roller, but the speed is controlled by a decelerator (braking) mechanism.

Self Acting Spring

A Spring Roller with no locking mechanism so the spring is always acting to close the blind.

Fibre Roller

A friction mechanism or action spring fitted into a roller tube made from compressed and glued wood fibres –They are made to fit standard sizes only and are sold by mail order firms or for DIY firms.

Flange End Roller

Into the steel or aluminum tube a spool is inserted. Gravity drop operated by cord or tape and cleat.

Sheath End Spring

As the flange end roller but fitted with a spring. To raise the blind the cord is pulled, to lower the blind, the cord is released. This is a traditional form of blind and not commonly used.

Motorized

There is a large selection of motorized options e available for use with roller blinds.

This varies from the simple requirement to operate a single blind via a direct remote or switch control unit to more complex installations tailored to fit exact your needs.

Components

Acorn

Wood or plastic attached to pull cord.

Aluminum

This is a highly versatile material used in a variety of systems, from the largest to the smallest. Often used in the barrel of the blind.

Bottom Rail

Can be made of wood, aluminum or plastic and attached to bottom edge of fabric in pocket to improve the hang of the blind.

Cross Rib

Cross rib or stiffening batten. This is usually in a pocket across the width of the fabric to prevent bowing.

Fibre

Used on small windows, for those on a budget, DIY or mail order.

Knot Holder Plate

A Plate used to attach pull cord to bottom lath.

Pins

A round pin or a slot head that inserts into the fixing bracket.

Pin width

Maximum width including pins which insert into brackets.

Scallops

Various shapes to finish off the bottom of fabric fitted beneath the or bottom bar.

Spindle

Centre core of spring mechanism.

Steel

This can be used instead of aluminum and is a less common material used in a variety of systems, to prevent rust the steel need to be painted or it should be galvanized.

Wood

Is generally only used as a spring roller on small to medium size windows and not too commonly used.

Measurement Terms

Barrel Width

Width of roller excluding pins that insert into brackets.

Blind Size

Overall size of the blind including end caps. If you don not wish to fit the end caps them advise your manufacturer.

Cloth Width

Less than barrel width to allow movement and eliminate cloth chafing on the fixing brackets.

End Caps

Fitted to the end of the fixing brackets to finish off the blind.

If you are looking for some spare part for your roller blinds, please contact us as we may be able to help and have helped other customers in the past.