Roller blinds are the most compact of the existing ones. They allow you to decorate a window opening with a minimum of funds, while at the same time reliably closing the room from prying eyes and sunlight. When making blinds, some companies offer clients a discount if they measure the window size themselves.
Before buying roller blinds, you need to measure the dimensions of the windows
Rules for measuring roller blinds
The window is measured closed with a regular tape measure to the nearest millimeter. The height of the curtain for a blind sash must be correlated with the height of the opening transom. The bottom edges of the fabric guides should be at the same level.
To make blinds, first determine where to install the mount:
- to the opening from the outside;
Measuring roller blinds for installation on an opening - inside the opening;
When measuring, the unevenness of the window opening is taken into account - for each transom separately.
It is necessary to compare the height of the curtains on the blind and opening doors
The measurement is carried out according to two parameters: width, height. Having thought about how to measure roller blinds for plastic windows, set aside half an hour to an hour of time, prepare a tape measure, a notepad and a pen to write down the results. Consider what kind of structure you want to install.
Important! Zebra blinds (also called day-night) require more space in depth (0.3-0.5 cm).
Day-night blinds consist of two strips of fabric; when closed they look like a solid canvas
The width of the roller blinds corresponds to the width of the glass, taking into account the side bead (this is an element that securely fixes the glass in the frame; it can have an ironed or rectangular shape), plus 0.1 cm on each side.
For open type roller blinds, the width is measured between the outer edges of the glazing beads
When determining the size, it is necessary to take into account whether the roller shutter fastening (rod, rotation mechanism, end caps and fasteners) will not rest against hinges or slopes.
Cassette curtains come in two sizes UNI1 and UNI2, the first of which has smaller dimensions and is designed for installation on an opening window sash
The height is measured from the top edge of the sash to the bottom of the sash, and if the glazing bead has a rounded shape, then it should overlap the border of the frame on the glass side by 2-5 mm.
Types of glazing beads used on plastic windows
If the frame opens, then the length from below must be reduced by 5-7 mm. For a blind transom, the height is measured from the top to the bottom bead plus 0.5 cm.
Height is measured between the top edge of the top bead and the bottom edge of the bottom
Measuring diagram for cassette roller blinds
Rules for measuring cassette roller blinds Uni 1
It is recommended to install on windows with a rectangular glazing bead at least 16 mm deep.
- Height - along the edges of the bead +20 mm.
- Width - along the edges of the glazing bead.
Attention!
In UNI 1 systems, the fabric moves vertically between the guides and the glass. The friction of the bottom bar of the curtain against the glass leads to unclear opening and closing of the blinds. With a bead with a depth of more than 20 mm, the fabric dangles between the guide and the glass, which is also not always comfortable.
The low cost of Uni 1 determines the low consumer quality.
The cassette and guides can be installed on tape (included with the blinds).
ATTENTION !
In most cases, windows are not rectangular. Measurements must be taken both in width and height in THREE places. Specify the minimum value.
Rules for measuring cassette roller blinds Uni 2
It is allowed to install on windows with any glazing bead, except for protruding ones.
- Width according to the external dimensions of the guides.
- Height according to the external dimensions of the product (take into account the height of the box 55 mm). We recommend taking the height of the product with a margin of 10–20 mm, since if you make a mistake with the dimensions, you can remove the plugs from the guides and cut them to height.
In UNI 2 systems, the fabric moves vertically along U-shaped guides. They can be installed both on the glazing bead (if it is not semicircular) and on the frame (if the installation will not be interfered with by the window opening handle).
Installation on the frame is recommended when blackout fabric is used. In this case, maximum overlap in width is achieved and gaps (gaps) at the edges of the fabric are reduced.
ATTENTION! In most cases, windows are not rectangular. Width measurements must be taken in THREE places. Specify the minimum value.
The cassette and guides can be installed on tape (included with the blinds). The tape on the box is about 30mm wide at the top. When measuring, it is necessary to take into account that at least 40 mm must be left at the top to secure the box on a flat surface so that the tape adheres correctly. Often the bead is recessed, and if you try to attach the cassette with tape to a recessed bead, the product will soon fall off.
Rules for measuring Uni 2 cassette roller blinds with springs
It is allowed to install on windows with any glazing bead, except for protruding ones.
- Height - along the outer edges of the glazing bead (junction line with the frame) (+) 20 mm.
- Width - at the junction of the glazing bead with the frame (according to the external dimensions) or along the edges (indicate in the form which measurement option). For details, see the section “Measuring Uni 2”;
- The cassette and guides can be installed on tape (included with the blinds).
What errors occur during measurement?
Instructions on how to measure curtains are needed in order to avoid common mistakes. Many people think that it is enough to measure the frame across and along, but the windows are not the same over their entire area, so you need to take three measurements at different distances. Indicate in the order the smallest value obtained. If there is excess width/length, the curtain may not fit into the opening.
Important! It is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the roller blind itself, which holds the curtain.
Roller blinds come in open and closed types. Open-type structures are cheaper, but they get dirty quickly. Closed-type mechanisms are more expensive, but much more convenient.
Roller blinds come in two types - open (pictured on the left) and closed (on the right)
Mechanical or automatic control is available. The overall width of the roller blind is 0.3-0.5 cm larger than the size of the curtain itself due to the mounting fasteners/plugs at the edges. If you do not take into account the difference, the canvas may extend beyond the frame - it will have to be trimmed during installation.
When choosing electric curtains, it is better to give preference to compact models, the dimensions of which are slightly larger than their manual counterparts.
The depth of the mechanism is 3.5-4 cm (the design and its dimensions must be clarified with the manufacturer). Due to the differences in mounting methods, it is recommended to entrust preliminary measurements to professionals who know the intricacies of various devices for mounting and controlling such curtains.
The depth of the mechanism determines whether the window sash can open normally
Sometimes roller blinds are installed so that they cover only the glass itself inside the frame. In this case, the structure is mounted exclusively on frames with a rectangular bead.
Curtains with guides are good because they completely block sunlight
When this element has a rounded shape, the curtains are made a little larger and placed higher in the window opening. Large blinds are placed outside, and roller blinds are attached to the wall or ceiling.
Pay attention to the location of the handles for opening the frame! The open roll should not block access to them.
It is more practical to position the control system so that the cord does not collide with the handle
If the curtain touches something during use, then there is a high probability of tearing the structure out of place. The lower edge of the guides, touching the window sill, gets dirty and wrinkled.
How to take measurements
You can measure the window yourself, but for open and cassette models they are performed differently. For closed roller blinds, measurements are made depending on the configuration of the glazing beads. If they are straight on a plastic window, only the glass should be measured: the width is equal to the distance between the side beads, and the height is between the upper and lower beads. If the glazing beads have a beveled edge, the distance is taken taking into account their width, that is, the width of the glass + 2 widths of the glazing bead. The height of the curtain is measured in the same way - the height of the glass + 2 widths of the glazing bead. Measurements should be taken with an accuracy of 1 mm.
Since open curtains do not require such precision, taking measurements for them is much easier. First, the width of the glass is measured and 30 mm is added to the result. Then the height of the glass is measured and added 120 mm. Additional millimeters can be increased depending on the size of the plastic window, but it is important that the additions are made equally on all sashes.
If something is not clear, watch this visual video:
Professional help
Practice shows that when measured, standard windows are not rectangular; their size varies slightly at different fixation points. For large sizes, roller blinds are needed specifically for panoramic glazing, the measurement of which is best entrusted to a specialist. For large-scale structures, it is necessary to take into account several attachment points and take measurements several times.
Unfortunately, window openings are often uneven, as are the windows themselves, even plastic ones.
For window openings of non-standard shape, only a specialist can determine the size measurement algorithm. For options with a rounded top part, it will be difficult to make blinds due to the way the roller blinds are attached. Measurements include determining the parameters of the circle, choosing a fastening method - this cannot be done without knowing exactly what tools and technologies the company has.
Decorating an arched window using roller blinds is quite difficult
Important! Such designs are created only on an individual basis; it is impossible to find them in the catalog.
Perhaps the best solution would be to abandon roller blinds in favor of other models that allow you to design non-standard window openings, for example, pleated curtains look good in an arch
It is difficult to figure out how to install blinds in a bay window - it is better to invite a specialist to take measurements. He will offer several options for placing roller blinds so that there are no gaps at the edges, and all the windows look like a single composition.
It is important to choose the option that is optimal for each window in the bay window
Depending on the availability of free space for the fastening mechanism, the following designs are used:
- open or closed type;
- mechanical or automatic;
- a professional selects the shape of the guides.
What are roller blinds
Roller blinds are a flat sheet of fabric attached to a shaft, which, when closed, gathers into a neat roll at the top of the window opening.
Such products, as a rule, have a compact shape, their length does not fall below the window sill, while the panel fits tightly to the glass, occupying a minimum of free space, which allows the window sill to be used for functional purposes.
However, there are also large roller blinds designed for panoramic windows. They are fixed under the ceiling and unfolded to the entire height of the wall, to the floor.
The main emphasis in such curtains is on their functionality - it is in rolled products that the most modern fabrics are used - blackout, dimout and “day-night”.
Blackout textiles, thanks to the presence of two reflective pads, ensure complete darkness of the room, while dimout fabric, on the contrary, transmits sunlight, but filters ultraviolet rays that spread heat, which guarantees a pleasant coolness in the room even during the hot summer.
Day-night curtains combine the advantages of the two above fabrics; such panels consist of alternating strips of dimout and blackout materials, the position of which can be adjusted, thereby setting the desired level of lighting in the room.
Conclusion
Measuring a frame for blinds is not a difficult process, but it must be approached very carefully. An error will result in the work having to be redone, which will incur additional costs. When the position of the handle on the frame is not taken into account or the blade is slightly longer than necessary, the owner, feeling the inconvenience of the mistakes made, will want to get rid of them: he will have to spend money again.
The main thing is maximum care, then the result will not disappoint you
If difficulties arise, the window has a complex shape - it is better to immediately invite a specialist. This will save time, money and nerves.
Installation of roller blinds
Given the variety of roller shutters, there cannot be any one universal installation method that is equally convenient for all cases. Heavy curtains are mounted using screws. Here you cannot do without a drill, as is the case if the fasteners are installed on a wall or in a window opening. Some lightweight models have holes for self-tapping screws, which does not require any other installation method.
Attaching blinds to plastic windows without drilling is only possible if they are hung directly on the sash. Of course, the use of screws here is permissible, but not necessary and even undesirable, since it can lead to depressurization of the double-glazed window and deterioration of its thermal insulation properties. Without drilling, they are attached in two ways:
- using double-sided tape;
- using special hooks made of plastic or metal that are fixed on the sash.
Let's look at both possible methods.
Securing with double-sided tape
The easiest option to implement. The roller or cassette is glued to the base. It is important to degrease the surfaces to be glued, otherwise the connection will not be strong. The advantage of this method is its ease of implementation. However, you need to remember that the glue will only support light-weight roller blinds, so cassette-type products can hardly be secured in this way.
Another disadvantage is the sensitivity of the adhesive layer to increased temperature. There are often cases when, in the summer heat, curtains simply slide out of place, leaving melted glue on the frame. First, they assemble the product, which is sold disassembled. To do everything correctly, you need to use the manufacturer's instructions.
Photo gallery: Roller blinds in the interior
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How to determine the size of roller blinds for windows?
- Criterias of choice
- Fabric selection
- Types of fastening
- Measurement Rules
Classic cut curtains are always relevant. But they do not always suit the interior of the room or are not to everyone’s taste. In such a situation, the only correct solution is roller blinds. This type of curtain is a piece of fabric that is attached to the top of the window on a shaft. Basically, it spins from top to bottom. The main lifting mechanisms in such products are mechanical and automatic. An automatic lift is more convenient than a mechanical one, but, unfortunately, it is much more expensive.
Before you buy roller blinds, you need to correctly measure the dimensions of the window.
Roller blinds come in two main types:
- closed;
- open.
The mechanism of open roller blinds is much simpler, since it does not have a shaft on top that protects the fabric. They cost an order of magnitude cheaper, but they also get dirty more often. Closed curtains have a protective roller and most often they are equipped with an automatic lifting mechanism. The cost of roller blinds depends on the quality of their components. In addition, this type of product may differ in color and type. It is very difficult to make roller blinds yourself and therefore it is better to order them, taking into account the size of your window.
They can be multi-colored or plain. The materials from which they are made are very different. In a separate group there are curtains called “Day-Night”. They consist of two strips of fabric. When closed they look like a single unit.
To the opening
Width L - measured opening width + 15 cm (fabric width)
Height H - opening height + 10 cm
In the opening (overall size)
Width L - opening width, minus 10 mm. The fabric width will be 40 mm smaller than size L.
Height H = opening height.
Determine the type of fabric winding:
- We measure the width and length of the window glass in millimeters (in the latter case, up to the sash).
- We determine where the control mechanisms will be (usually the chain is placed on the hinge side, but not always).
- Choose the type of fastening: screws, adhesive tape, or in some cases a hanging bracket.
- The measurement is ready!
A popular system that provides for fixing the chain and the roll itself at any level. Has two versions: UNI1 and UNI2. The first one is cheaper, but it can become beveled at the bottom when deployed. UNI2 does not have this problem.
Pros: can be placed on a window or entirely on a window opening. Cons: relatively large window system.
Design features of roller blinds
The roll product system of any type has a standard design consisting of:
- The upper shaft, when rotated, the curtain unfolds. The shaft can be open or closed. In closed structures it is hidden inside a box fixed to the window frame. The cases are distinguished by a variety of shapes - they can be rectangular, oval and triangular, and are made of materials - plastic, aluminum, wood.
- Vertical guides installed on the side edges of the window. They are necessary for uniform deployment of the curtain and for holding the fabric when the sash is opened for vertical ventilation. Guides can be heavy - from plastic strips, and light - from ordinary fishing line.;
- Canvas with a weight strip sewn into the lower part.
The curtain is controlled manually by adjusting the chain attached to the shaft.
You can also choose roller blinds with an electric drive, in which case the deployment of the curtains will occur automatically, using a motor installed in the box, which can be controlled using a remote control.
