Roller blinds

A lovely simple choice for all sorts of rooms

Roller blinds are one of our most popular options, and it's easy to see why. They sit neatly at the window, come in an inviting choice of colours and fabrics, and work well in everything from a kitchen to a cosy bedroom. If you'd like soft daylight, more privacy or a darker room for sleeping, we can help you explore fabrics that suit. Roller blinds are also one of the ranges we've traditionally made locally in Thornaby, so we know them very well.

That plain construction is why rollers turn up everywhere, from small bathroom windows to wide living room bays. Much of the choice is about the fabric, the control and how it is fitted.

Blackout, dim-out or screen: choosing the fabric for the job

Roller fabrics fall into three broad groups, and choosing well helps you end up with a blind you will love.

• Blackout fabrics are made to block most of the light and suit bedrooms, nurseries and anyone who sleeps after a night shift. Some light can still show round the edges of the blind, so ask us how the gaps work at your window. See also our page on blackout blinds.
• Dim-out or opaque fabrics soften daylight and give privacy without making the room feel closed in. They are a lovely middle ground for living rooms and kitchens.
• Screen fabrics have an open weave. They can cut glare and let you keep a view out while limiting how clearly people can see in during the day. At night, with lights on indoors, that privacy can reverse, so for a ground floor bedroom a dimmer fabric may suit better.

Wipe-clean finishes are available in some ranges, which is handy for kitchens, though how well any fabric copes with steam and splashes depends on the range, so it is worth asking.

Roll direction and the small gap at the top

The fabric can drop from the back of the roller, closer to the glass, or from the front. Dropping from the back keeps the blind nearer the window and can help it clear a handle. Dropping from the front hides the roller tube behind the fabric, which looks neater from inside the room but holds the blind slightly further into the room. It is a small decision that changes how tidy the finished window looks, so we will talk it through when we measure.

Recess fit or face fit

A recess fit tucks the blind inside the window reveal. It looks neat and keeps the sill clear, but it needs enough depth for the brackets and roller, and it leaves a narrow gap at each side so the fabric can turn freely. A face fit sits on the wall or frame outside the opening. It covers more of the window edge, which helps with light and privacy, and it can make a narrow window look wider. We are happy to advise which suits once we see the reveal.

Chain, cordless or motorised control

The usual control is a looped chain at one side of the blind. It is simple and long lasting, but a loop needs care where small children are around. Please keep chains and cords well out of reach, use the safety device or cord tidy fixed to the wall or frame, and think about moving cots and beds away from blinds. Cordless spring-assisted rollers and motorised blinds avoid the loop altogether, which is worth considering for children's rooms. Our guide to child-safe blind choices goes into more detail. BS EN 13120 is the UK standard that covers the safety of internal blinds.

Where rollers work best, and where another blind may suit better

Rollers are a strong choice for bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms (with a suitable fabric), offices and rental properties. Very wide windows can be tricky for a single roller, so they are often split into two or more blinds, and rollers cannot tilt the way a slatted blind can, so you get covered or uncovered rather than fine adjustment. If you have a patio door, compare them with vertical blinds in our roller or vertical guide.

Looking after a roller blind

Dust it regularly with a soft cloth or a vacuum brush on a low setting. Spot clean marks with a damp cloth and a little mild soap where the fabric allows, and use water sparingly around the fabric and the tube rather than soaking them. Roll the blind fully up and down occasionally so it winds evenly.

Ready to see what would work at your windows? Book a free measure and we will bring fabric samples and talk you through the options before you commit to anything.

Roller blind options

Roller blinds can be worked by a side chain, a spring or a crank, or by a motor, and a slow-retract spring is available. You can choose an open 40mm cassette, a full fascia or a closed cassette, and several rollers can share a cassette across a large window or bi-fold doors. Finishing touches include different bottom bars, scallops, braids and eyelets. A chain tidy or easy-break connector is fitted for safety. Perfect Fit roller frames come in seven colours.

Inspiration