While curtains are increasingly being replaced by panel blinds, in recent years roller blinds and pleated blinds have increased dominated modern interior designs. In this article, you can read about the differences between curtains and roller blinds as well as the advantages and disadvantages. You can have
clear vinyl roll up and down curtains from the market.
Different optical effects
Curtains visually allow the window space to take a back seat. Roller blinds, on the other hand, emphasize the window and draw it into the room design. This is the biggest difference between roller blinds and curtains.
The following questions are decisive for the purchase decision:
● Are there any visual defects on the window or in the window reveal? (better a curtain solution then).
● Does the window design go well with my intended interior design? (then the window can be seen better with a roller blind).
● Do I want to use my windowsill as a storage or decoration option? (this is only possible with a roller blind)
Solutions similar to roller blinds
Other solutions that also include the window in the room design are blinds and pleats. They each have different properties and special advantages.
Solutions similar to curtains
Panel curtains and slat blinds are the modern forms of the classic window store. They are somewhat more flexible than conventional curtains and can also be used for partial blackout (individual blackout elements in the panel blind).
Roman blinds
Roman blinds have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are usually across the width of the entire window reveal and thus represent a kind of middle thing between a classic curtain and roller blind.
Advantages and disadvantages
Blackout
Roller blinds can be pulled up in whole or in part, thus helping to avoid the incidence of light or glare. If roller blinds are used, the window remains very well darkened.
Blackout curtains are in most cases still more effective than blackout blinds due to the larger fabric thickness.
As a rule, however, separate blackout curtains must be attached to a store. This usually requires two separate attachments. The blackout curtain can then only be pushed together, but always remains visible.
Privacy
With blackout blinds in, particular, there are not many options for a privacy screen. There is only the possibility of complete or partial darkening. However, there is no privacy protection without blackout. In this case, certain combinations are more flexible.
Sun protection
Thermal curtains generally reject the heat of the sun much better than roller blinds. External blinds also reflect the sun’s heat much better than roller blinds.
With reflective coatings, the heat protection functionality of roller blinds can be increased somewhat, but curtains usually still work much better. Under certain circumstances, reflective window foils offer a possibility to put this into perspective.
Price differences
The prices for blinds and curtains are about the same. However, the cost and effort for the attachment (curtain rod, awning, etc.) must still be taken into account for the curtain. On the other hand, the installation material for the roller blind is usually already included in the price.
Types of curtains
Curtains have been common since around the 16th century. Since then, countless types and shapes of curtains have developed. You can find a brief overview of all the types and materials of curtains in this article.
Classic store
A store is a transparent curtain that provides privacy from the outside. However, there is a clear view from the inside. The curtain thus offers privacy protection, but no sun protection or heat protection. Darkening is also not possible with a classic transparent curtain.
Thermal curtains are an exception. However, they are no longer transparent but already belong to the group of “curtains”.
The classic store has gone somewhat out of fashion and is now used almost exclusively in traditional facilities. The combination of a store and a saddle pad, like a decorative scarf on the sides of the curtain, is perceived as old-fashioned today.
Light transmission
If the blinds have no translucency, they can be used to darken a room, such as a bedroom. Pleated blinds are clearly superior for this purpose.
Other fabrics, in turn, can be very translucent and openly woven, so that as much daylight as possible can pass through even when the curtain is drawn up, and do not darken the room despite complete privacy.
Sun protection
Slat blinds and panel blinds
Panel blinds and slat blinds are the modern forms of the curtain. In recent years, they have become a trend in private buildings. In the past, they were almost exclusively used in office buildings. The shapes, materials, and colors are now as varied as with classic curtains.
Curtain fabrics and their translucency
If you want to buy curtains, you often think about the blackout effect, the opacity and the heat protection of the curtains. You can read here how the light transmittance of curtains generally works and what the stated values mean.
Properties of fabrics
Each fabric has certain properties in terms of light transmission and heat reflection. You don’t usually see that from the outside of the fabric, especially not with curtains.
That is why there are fixed physical values that can be used as a guide. In many cases, the manufacturer only specifies individual values or only makes general statements.
Tissue transmittance
The transmittance of the tissue indicates how much of the incident light is transmitted through the tissue. For blackout curtains, this value should be 0% if possible. When the curtains are closed, the light no longer falls through. This is important for bedrooms, for example, if you want to sleep completely in the dark.
However, if it is only a question of light or privacy protection and no total darkening is sought, other values are decisive.
Degree of transparency of the fabric
As a rule, transparency is only given in certain classes. Substances can have the following properties:
● Transparent
● Semi-transparent
● Translucent as well
● Dim out and darken
Very low levels of transparency also mean very low levels of transmission. High transparency means that there is practically no real privacy protection.
Semi-transparent fabrics generally allow almost all daylight to pass through, but at the same time, there is a certain amount of privacy. Translucent fabrics allow most of the daylight to pass through but offer complete opacity.
Conclusion
As a rule, curtains are rarely used for sun protection. However, some fabrics allow more heat to pass through than others. For example, silk, linen, and organza are completely unsuitable for a sun protection function, whereas heavy fabrics often let less heat through. However, this always goes hand in hand with the inevitable complete darkening of the room.
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