What Are Vision Blinds?

What Are Vision Blinds?

Vision blinds are the perfect middle-ground between Roller blinds and Venetian blinds. They’re sometimes known as Day and Night blinds, and sometimes they’re known as Zebra blinds! Either way, they’re all the same.

Vision blinds have become extremely popular in modern-day interior design. This is thanks to their modern look and functional benefits. They’re a win, win when it comes to window dressings!

What Are Vision Blinds Made Of?

Vision blinds consist of a double layer of striped fabrics. The fabrics are made up of opaque coloured stripes followed by sheer stripes. These two fabrics glide over each other, either lining up the stripes or colour blocking them, granting the user fantastic light and privacy control.

Like a standard roller blind, Vision blinds are operated by a control chain at the side, making it simple and easy for you to adjust. They can be completely rolled up, or, like a Venetian blind, can be adjusted to filter light through their stripes.

White Vision Blinds

What Styles of Vision Blinds Are Available?

Vision blinds come in a striped fabric as standard. This is what makes them Vision blinds! However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t still lots of designs for you to choose from!

We have Vision blinds in a range of neutral tones from timeless whites to cosy creams. As well as your bolder colours including statement blacks, vibrant reds, and bright pinks. There’s a Vision blind to match every colour scheme whether you’re into minimalist or maximalist interiors!

Vision blinds for living rooms

Vision Blinds with Motorisation

By now, you’ll know that Vision blinds are a modern and inventive window dressing. But they get better. Motorised Vision blinds!

With motorised vision blinds, you can operate your blinds without having to get up! Instead, simply click the button on your rechargeable remote, then watch your blind glide up or down as you please! Motorised Vision blinds are super easy to set up and you can do so at home, yourself.

Motorised Vision Blinds

Where Do Vision Blinds Work Best?

Vision blinds are great across every room in the home thanks to their simple and modern design. Here’s why…

Bedroom Vision Blinds

You might think flexible light and privacy control aren’t important in the bedroom. It just needs to be dark for sleeping, right? Wrong! Think about it, you probably get changed in your bedroom. You might have a workstation in there or a play area for the kids.

Therefore, flexibility when it comes to light and privacy is most likely essential in the bedroom.

This is where Vision blinds are perfect. By filtering the light but maintaining privacy, you can enjoy the natural daylight whilst getting on with day-to-day tasks in private!

Living Room Vision Blinds

The perfect blind to bring some style to your living space, Vision blinds come in a fantastic range of colours, so you can enjoy beautiful blinds no matter what your décor!

The functional characteristics of Vision blinds will help you to make the most out of your living room, no matter what time of day. Close them completely for Saturday movie nights, then open them to stripes during the day to relax in private!

Kitchen Vision Blinds

Kitchens are spaces we spend lots of time in, probably more than we realise! Therefore, having the right blinds in your kitchen is important! Vision blinds are a popular choice for the kitchen thanks to their modern aesthetic.  

Achieve the perfect balance between daylight and privacy. Set the blinds to stripes whilst you cooking and when it comes to relaxing, alter them to a full-colour block for complete privacy.

Living room vision blinds

What Are the Benefits of Vision Blinds?

– You get complete privacy in your home when you fully close Vision blinds.

– Their clever design enables you to enjoy natural daylight whilst also benefiting from complete privacy.

– You can choose to have the blinds fully open, fully closed, or position them somewhere in-between.

– Vision blinds are available in a range of fabrics and colours, with the option of motorisation available too. They’re a go-to window dressing for making a statement within any room in the home!

– Benefit from improved insulation when you opt for made to measure Vision blinds. They’ll help to keep your home warm in winter and reflect the heat during the summer.

Could Vision blinds be for you? If so, why not order 5 free samples from our website and let us help you to decide! Simply head to the product page and add the sample to your basket. Then, all that’s left to do is decide which colour is for you. Browse our Vision blinds and get started today. 

If you’re not quite sold on Vision blinds, we have hundreds of other blinds available. From Roller Blinds, Vertical Blinds, Pleated Blinds, Venetian Blinds and more! Find your perfect style on our website today.

 

Energy Efficiency: The Power of Blinds and Shutters in Your Home

Energy Efficiency: The Power of Blinds and Shutters in Your Home

Maximising Home Energy Efficiency with Blinds and Shutters

In the quest for a more energy-efficient home, every detail matters – from the appliances we choose to the quality of our insulation. Yet, there’s a hero in the battle against energy wastage that often goes unnoticed: the window blind and shutter. This blog explores the transformative power of blinds and shutters and their impact on your home’s energy efficiency.

The Role of Blinds and Shutters in Energy Conservation

Insulation often brings to mind images of thick walls and double-glazing. However, blinds and shutters are equally pivotal. A British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA) study has found that as much as 18% of domestic heat loss occurs through windows. Installing blinds and shutters can significantly reduce this, creating a barrier to trap heat in the winter and reflect it in the summer.

Maximising Solar Gains

It’s not only about retaining warmth; it’s also about utilising natural heat when available. On sunny days, opening your blinds and shutters can allow solar energy to naturally warm your home, cutting down on the need for artificial heating. This method, known as ‘solar gain’, is a fundamental principle of energy-efficient home design.

The Night-Time Routine

As temperatures drop at night, so does the indoor warmth. Closing your blinds and shutters can help prevent this escape of heat, acting like an additional layer of insulation. The BBSA suggests that this can contribute to a significant reduction in energy bills, with potential heat loss reductions of up to 33%. This simple nightly routine can have a substantial impact on your home’s energy usage.

Seeing the Difference

Infrared imaging provides stark visual evidence of how blinds and shutters can reduce heat loss. Thermal images show cooler colours where blinds are closed, indicating retained heat, while red areas highlight heat escaping through open blinds. This is a strong visual endorsement of the importance of blinds and shutters in an energy-efficient home.

Economic and Environmental Impacts

Energy efficiency is about more than just personal savings; it’s about the sustainability of our planet. Research by the European Solar Shading Organisation (ES-SO) suggests that solar shading could save Europe €285 billion by 2050. Furthermore, the energy conserved equates to the environmental impact of planting 5 billion trees – a statistic that underlines the wider benefits of seemingly small domestic changes.

The Thermostat for Your Windows

Blinds and shutters are more than mere decoration; they serve as a thermostat for your windows, offering temperature control without the need to adjust your heating. With climate change leading to hotter summers, the ability to regulate indoor temperature is increasingly vital. By strategically adjusting blinds and shutters, homeowners can actively manage their living environment.

Effective Tools for Energy Conservation

Blinds and shutters transcend their aesthetic purpose; they are a primary defence against energy loss and a method for capturing natural heat. Considering we spend 90% of our time indoors, optimising our living spaces for comfort and efficiency is crucial. Adopting blinds and shutters is a step towards a future where our homes are not just comfortable but also bastions of energy efficiency. As you draw your blinds tonight, remember that you’re not just shielding against the night; you’re conserving energy, reducing costs, and contributing to a healthier planet.

What are the Best Blinds for Warmth? Discover Winter and Thermal Blinds

What are the Best Blinds for Warmth? Discover Winter and Thermal Blinds

As the cold months draw in (which they certainly are!), you’re probably already thinking of ways you can make your home warmer… without having the heating on 24/7 that is.

There are of course the usual ways of getting warmer. Putting a jumper on. Thicker socks. Warmer blankets. Winter Duvets. But have you thought about improving the place where much of the cold air is coming from? Your windows!

Let us introduce you to window insulation using thermal blinds and our top tips for energy efficiency…

What are Thermal Blinds?

We define thermal blinds as blinds that are designed to conserve energy in both winter and summer. Either helping to trap heat in your room or reflecting the sunlight off the windows. So, investing in new blinds for winter will benefit you in the summer months too! Thank us later!

Some blinds are naturally ‘thermal’ by design, some have a specific thermal lining, and some have a thermal treatment applied to the reverse. Either way, they all do a similar job keeping your home warm. So, to keep it simple, we’ll stick with ‘thermal blinds.’

How Do Thermal Blinds Keep the Warmth In?

By placing a layer of fabric in your window, thermal blinds will insulate your home by trapping a layer of air between the fabric and the window. The blinds act as a sealant to the window, preventing air from escaping through them.

However, the above is only true for correctly measured and installed blinds. The best practice for keeping the warmth in and the cold out is having blinds that fit properly. No matter what style of blinds you go for, thermal blinds or not, if they’re ill-fitting, they just won’t do the jobs you need them to do!

We recommend always opting for made to measure blinds. Not only will they improve the energy efficiency in your home, but they’ll also block the light better and of course, look much better too! Did you know at A1 Blinds we offer a free measuring and fitting service? We make it simple and easy for you to choose made to measure thermal blinds! You can book a home consultation on our website here.

Thermal Blinds

Blinds for Warmth and Thermal Blinds

All blinds – including regular blinds – will provide you with some degree of thermal benefit. This is because as we’ve already mentioned, placing fabric between your room and the window blocks much of the cold air from entering the room. However, we do have a range of thermal blinds designed specifically to improve heat retention in your home. These coated thermal blinds work a dream!

Our range of fabric thermal blinds have a solar protective coating applied to their reverse. The specialist coating is designed to retain heat by reducing thermal loss via windows in winter. Then, on summer days, it reduces heat build-up through reflection. Therefore helping to conserve the energy in your home, all year-round.

Not only that, but the solar protective coating will also decrease any glare coming into your room. Ideal for offices, living rooms, and any room with a screen! This fabric comes with a list of benefits for enhancing your home.

You’ll be glad to know that these fabrics are available across most of our blind styles. Choose from roller, vertical, roman, panel, and pleated thermal blinds. We have a thermal blind for every window and requirement!

Did you know that pleated blinds are naturally thermal enhancing? Pleated thermal blinds are made from architect-grade fabrics of superior quality. Their scientific-level fabric specifications make them the perfect thermal blinds choice for conservatories and caravans, or anywhere that the room is at a premium!

Stripe Roller Blinds

A1’s Top Tips

Not looking to upgrade your blinds? Take a look at our top two tips for using your blinds to keep your home warm in winter…

1) Close your blinds completely as soon as it gets dark in the evening. They’ll help to keep the warmth in your home by adding insulation to the windows. Some blinds will also reflect the heat back into the room.

2) Open your blinds completely in the daytime. You’ll benefit from the warmth of the sun’s rays when it’s out.

Are you looking to improve the warmth in your home with new blinds? Ask our team about our blinds with a solar protective coating. These thermal blinds will do just the trick for maintaining an ideal temperature, come rain or shine!

This range is limited, so don’t worry if there are no thermal blinds to your taste! Putting any fabric blind up at your window is a step in the right direction towards heat retention. Just be sure to follow our top tips for using your blinds to keep your home warm in winter.

Browse our website for inspiration today. Or to book your FREE home consultation appointment, contact us at info@a1blindsuk.co.uk or 0800 193 0417.

 

 

Window Blinds or Shutters: Enhancing Your Home’s Style and Comfort

Window Blinds or Shutters: Enhancing Your Home’s Style and Comfort

When it comes to selecting window dressings for your home, the choice often boils down to window blinds versus shutters. Each option brings its unique style and functionality, making the decision a significant one for homeowners seeking the perfect blend of aesthetics, privacy, and light control.

Introduction to Window Dressings: Blinds and Shutters

Window dressings are more than just decorative elements; they are integral to the functionality and style of a room. Blinds and shutters, two prevalent choices, offer distinct benefits and can significantly influence the ambience of a space.

Historical Evolution: A Glimpse into the Origins

The history of window coverings is rich and varied. Blinds have been around since 1100 to 1500 AD, evolving over centuries into modern designs. Shutters date back even further to Ancient Greece in 800 B.C., originally comprising wood and cloth. These historical roots highlight the long-standing importance of window dressings in home design.

Decoding the Aesthetics: Blinds and Their Versatility

Blinds are celebrated for their versatility. They allow homeowners to adjust light levels with ease, thanks to their tiltable slats. This flexibility extends to their design as well, with a plethora of colours, textures, and materials available.

Modern Design Choices: Exploring Blinds Varieties

Today’s blinds are far from one-dimensional. They come in a range of styles and materials, each suited to different needs and aesthetic preferences. From classic wooden blinds to modern aluminium ones, the options are vast.

Light and Privacy Control: The Flexibility of Blinds

One of the key advantages of blinds is their ability to control both light and privacy. By adjusting the slats, homeowners can regulate the amount of natural light in their space while maintaining privacy.

The Enduring Charm of Shutters

Shutters, with their solid construction, offer a different kind of appeal. They provide robust light blocking and an elegant, timeless look that can enhance both the interior and exterior of a home.

Material Matters: Types of Shutters and Their Benefits

Shutters come in various materials like wood, vinyl, and aluminium, each offering distinct advantages. Wood shutters add warmth and classic appeal, while vinyl and aluminium options provide durability and ease of maintenance.

Investment in Quality: The Long-Term Value of Shutters

Shutters, though often more expensive, are considered a long-term investment. They can add value to a home, thanks to their durability and timeless appeal.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Blinds and Shutters

Considerations such as light control, privacy needs, maintenance, and cost play crucial roles in this decision. Each homeowner’s preferences and requirements will dictate the ideal choice.

Consultation with Experts: Seeking Professional Advice

Seeking professional advice can be beneficial. Please contact one of our blind consultants who can provide insights and recommendations based on individual needs and home styles.

Conclusion: Blinds vs. Shutters – Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality

In summary, both blinds and shutters offer unique benefits, and the choice ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences. Whether you prioritise flexibility, style, insulation, or budget, there is an option that will meet your requirements and enhance your home’s comfort and aesthetics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between blinds and shutters? Blinds and shutters differ in design, material, light control, privacy, insulation, cost, and maintenance requirements. Blinds offer more flexibility in light control, while shutters provide robust insulation and a classic look.

How do blinds and shutters impact a home’s resale value? High-quality window dressings, especially shutters, can enhance a home’s resale value by improving its aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Are shutters more energy-efficient than blinds? Generally, shutters provide better insulation and energy efficiency due to their solid construction and materials.

How often should I replace blinds or shutters? The lifespan of blinds and shutters varies based on material and usage. Blinds may need replacement more frequently, while shutters can last for decades with proper maintenance.

Which are better for allergy sufferers: blinds or shutters? Shutters are often a better choice for allergy sufferers as they are easier to clean thoroughly, reducing the accumulation of dust and allergens.

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