Handy things to know before placing a roller blind order

Buying custom-made DIY roller blinds online comes with lots of rewards (for starters, it’s normally cheaper and quicker) but there some risks, especially if you've never done it before. 

We want every order we supply to be perfect, so to help minimise the risks, we recommend reading the below information before starting your DIY roller blind ordering journey...

What is the difference between a blockout, light-filtering and sunscreen roller blind?

Blockout fabrics are opaque, so no light can travel through them. This is perfect for rooms where darkening and privacy are essential, especially in the evening or nighttime.

Light-filtering fabrics soften and diffuse external light and heat, while also offering daytime privacy. However, views to the outside are less clear. These are a great solution for rooms where natural light is welcome, but daytime privacy may also be required.

Sunscreen fabrics use a slightly open weave (typically 3-5mm) to allow visibility to the outside while also filtering external light and heat. In double roller blinds, sunscreens are always paired with blockouts for optimal day-night performance.

Do blockout roller blinds provide complete light blockout?

While blockout fabrics are opaque, the fabric width in any roller blind will always be slightly less than the total bracket-to-bracket width - typically by about 16mm on each side. So, some external light bleed will normally be visible around the fabric sides and top.

Do all blockout roller blinds have the same material colour front and back?

Most blockout fabrics are provided with an off-white coated reverse that is highly effective at minimising heat build-up and is also resistant to fading. However, there are a few blockouts with the same texture and colour on both sides, such as Vibe and Quest. These fabrics are formulated to provide the same effectiveness as our reverse coated options.

One further thing to consider with reverse coated rollers is you will be able to see the off-white backing colour on the roller head (from the inside) when using a backward roll. If this is likely to cause concern, selecting a fabric with the same colour both sides is essential.

What fitting type & roll direction is best for light blocking and insulation?

Recess fitting works well for light blocking and insulation. However, when recess fitted, the roller blind fabric cannot cover the entirety of the glass as the brackets and control devices also need to fit inside the recess.

Face fitting is the go-to when the recess is too shallow or if there are any existing fixtures (i.e., handles) that could affect the safe operation of the blind.

Face fit with backward roll

We can’t say that one option significantly outperforms the other but if given the choice, we’d choose recess fit - forward roll for improved thermal insulation and face fit - backwards roll for slightly improved light blocking.

However, most fitting situations present unique challenges and what works well for one window, may not for another - so choices should always be made based on the window in question. 

If you're unsure, email a photo of your space and we'll be happy to provide some specific advice: info@curtainandblindco.com.au

How wide can single rollers blind be made?

Width limits are placed on roller blinds so we can properly balance the fabric drop and ensure the load placed on the roller tube and chain is manageable.

Our WA Made fabric ranges max out at 2700mm width, whereas non-WA Made ranges max out at 2900mm width. We recommend checking the specifications of any roller blind product before proceeding to place an order. 

For windows of a width greater than these maximums, fitting side-by-side blinds is normally the best alternative. While several roller blinds can be fitted side-by-side in wider spaces, only two can be linked to provide independent (a chain for each blind) or dependent (one chain for both blinds) control. Linking side-by-side rollers slightly reduces the total distance from fabric edge to fabric edge.

If you'd like to link side-by-side rollers, please let us know in your order notes and via email after you've ordered.

How far do roller blinds project from the wall?

Single roller blinds project about 70mm from the wall and double rollers about 95mm. These measurements include the fabric roll, however the roll size may vary slightly from one blind to another.

Do all roller blinds come with bracket covers?

Only single face fit roller blinds are supplied with covers that clip onto the end of the exposed bracket side. Covers are not supplied for single recess fits or any double roller blinds.

What configuration of roller blinds are supplied in a double roller blind?

We only supply double roller blinds with the blockout to the front (furthest from the glass, forward roll) and sunscreen to the rear (nearest the glass, backwards roll) as this combination provides optimal performance for day and nighttime use.

Please note, we cannot combine WA Made and non-WA Made roller blinds together in our double roller blinds. Should an order be placed this way, we'll reach out to advise the next best alternative fabrics.

Can roller blinds be supplied with motorisation?

Yes! We offer Eve Motionblinds motorisation for all of our WA Made roller blinds. Find out more here. Double rollers can also be motorised, but due to the dual bracket requirements, both blinds need to be supplied with motorisation.

Please note, we cannot combine WA Made and non-WA Made roller blinds together in our double roller blinds. Should an order be placed this way, we'll reach out to advise the next best alternative fabrics.

What, if any, mandatory adjustments are made to roller blind orders?

To ensure a snug but safe recess fit, some adjustments are applied to orders during manufacturing. These are as follows:

WA Made

Recess fit blinds have a 16mm (average) gap between fabric edge and window frame on both sides but are not subject to any total product width deductions during manufacturing. So, the supplied roller blind should match the ordered size (measured from bracket-to-bracket).

Non-WA Made

Recess fit blinds have a 16mm (average) gap between fabric edge and window frame on both sides and are subject to a 4mm total product width deduction during manufacturing. So, the supplied roller blind should be 4mm less wide than the ordered size (measured from bracket-to-bracket).

Lastly, we recommend reviewing our Measuring Guide before proceeding to measure for a new blind order. We also suggest reviewing our general Terms & Conditions and Delivery & Returns information for added peace of mind. And if you're in any doubt about anything, drop us an email or give us a call so we can work through any questions you may have before proceeding.