Motorised Blinds: Everything To Consider!

Motorised Blinds: Everything To Consider!

Are motorised blinds better than normal blinds? Do I REALLY need to remotely control my blinds? I’d love motorised blinds but can I really afford them?

Do these questions sound familiar? Well, this guide has been designed to help you answer some of the burning questions about motorised blinds!

How do they work?

Motorised blinds can be opened and closed using an electrical unit that turns the bar that the blind is attached to. These motors are small but powerful pieces of equipment and use minimal power to operate, increasing their efficiency! Depending on your personal preferences or what is available, this motor can be powered by rechargeable batteries or connected directly to your main supply.

What are my control options?

Motorised blinds come with FOUR control options – giving you a variety of options to best suit your technological needs. The options on offer are:

  1. Wall Switches – Just like a light switch, these can be used to control a single or a group of blinds at a touch of a button!
  2. Remote Control – If getting up and controlling a switch is not convenient, we have remote control options. Just like a TV remote but with fewer buttons!
  3. Smart Hub Control – For those who are tech-savvy, you may prefer our smart hub option that allows you to control your blinds via devices such as Google Home or Alexa. Imagine controlling your blinds with your voice!
  4. Smartphone Controls – The newest and growing in popularity, You can choose to operate via an app on your smartphone… No matter where in the world you are!
Motorised Blinds Installer

What are the benefits?

  1. Simple and Easy to operate – it is that simple…the main benefit is that these blinds are simple and easy to use for everyone!
  2. Cordless – Say goodbye to unsightly and dangerous cords and hooks. Enjoy fuss-free blinds that look neat all the time
  3. Child Safe – Expanding on point number 2, no cords means motorised blinds are extremely child safe in comparison!
  4. Stylish – With plenty of styles, colours and patterns to choose from, you can find a motorised blind to suit any room and decor
  5. Added Security – Thanks to modern technology you can operate your blinds from wherever you are in the world! Close and open your blinds when you are on holiday or away from your residence, adding extra home security and peace of mind that your belongings are not on show. 
  6. Thermal Efficiency – By having your blinds programmed to open and close at certain times of the day, you can benefit from better home efficiency. This means lower energy bills at the time we need it most!

What types of blinds can be motorised?

Our motorised blinds are available in a wide range of styles! You’ll have your pick of allusionpanelpleatedvisionrollerperfect fit, and vertical blinds. All of these come with a wide range of colour and fabric options to suit every interior.

Will they break the bank?

Understandably, with all the extras and benefits that come with motorised blinds, they do cost more to install in your home than a standard blind. However our expert team do not work on commission, and we do not send  “buy-now salesmen” to your door,  meaning there is no pressure put on you and allows our team to honestly and expertly talk you through the various options and see what works for you during your home consultation

Order today!

Do you fancy adding motorisation to your home? Book your free home consultation today! We’ll bring a wide range of samples, talk you through your options and advise you on the best choice for your requirements. We’ll also measure your windows whilst we’re there!

Why Book a FREE Home Consultation?

Why Book a FREE Home Consultation?

To ensure you find the perfect blinds for your needs, we highly recommend taking advantage of our dedicated in-home service at A1 Blinds. Our experts will visit your home at your convenience, providing an ideal opportunity to explore a wide range of blinds, curtains, and shutters. They will professionally measure your windows and offer personalised recommendations to perfectly match your interior decor. Let us bring our extensive selection to you, making the process of finding the ideal window treatments a breeze!

Why Book a FREE Home Consultation?

During your consultation:

At A1 Blinds, our mission is to simplify your life by offering inspiring ideas and practical solutions for your home or office. With our expertise, you can make your interior décor decisions with ease and relaxation. We are here to provide you with a stress-free and enjoyable experience – let us help you create a space that truly reflects your style and meets your functional needs.

Your expert will:

  • Take a relaxed approach, offering inspiring ideas and practical solutions
  • Bring a selection of fabric and fitting samples for you to view
  • Stay as long as you need, usually only around 30 minutes (a little longer for shutters, motorised or conservatory roof blinds)
  • Professionally measure your windows
  • Offer style tips and practical advice

We will then offer an affordable, no-obligation quote on the day of our visit. There are no additional charges for measuring or fitting – it’s all part of our service!  Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we strive to ensure that your chosen blinds are installed with precision and care.

Once you have confirmed your estimate and paid the deposit for your order, your made-to-measure window solutions will be made to the highest standards. Our expert makers will make your chosen curtains or blinds, working with an outstanding range of the finest fabrics and materials, selected by you during your design consultation. We are privileged to partner with specialist blind and shutter manufacturers to offer you premium quality roller, vertical, and venetian blinds, and plantation shutters. 

Expert installation service

All our expert fitters have many years of experience, so you know they’ll be right the first time. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy your newly transformed room.

Convenient & Safe

With custom blinds from A1 Blinds, you never have to worry about dangling cords that could injure your children or pets. Some of our operating systems include cordless options and retractable wands. This will give you peace of mind and you can also enjoy hooking your custom blinds up to your home automation system or using trendy voice commands to operate your blinds. Motorised blinds are great for large blinds or blinds that are out of reach. They also add a nice touch for people who have trouble getting around. Motorisation works when you are home and when you are away, giving your home a lived-in look even when you are on holiday or out of town.

We’ve been manufacturing and fitting blinds in Newcastle since 1985, and our expert craftsmen use only the best quality materials. From vibrant Verticals to refined Romans, our made-to-measure blinds suit everyone’s budget and can be fitted within a week.

With free measuring and fitting as standard, wherever you are in the North East you can rest assured of receiving the best products and friendly service – that’s the “A1 promise”!

10 Things To Know Before Buying Blinds

10 Things To Know Before Buying Blinds

Are you thinking of buying window blinds? Our home consultations are a great way to learn about the various styles and fabrics on offer and our expert team can go through all the technical terms and specifications with you to ensure you are getting not only the best deal possible, but the blinds chosen for your space are the right kind not only aesthetically, but practically too. However, if you are not in the window coverings business, knowing what information will be helpful before committing to your purchase can be confusing.  Here are our top 10 tips for things to know before buying blinds:

Window Measurements:

As part of our free home consultations, we offer free window measurements so you do not need to worry about getting the ladder out and measuring your windows yourself. It is however useful to note that the larger your windows are, the more it is going to cost to custom build and fit a blind to. Understanding this from the beginning will help you prepare for what kind of quote you will be given before our consultant leaves your home. 

Type of Blinds:

There are many types of blinds to choose from, all of which offer various benefits. You may find it useful to jot down some of the main benefits you want from your window blinds so our team can use this information to come up with a window solution that will meet your requirements. For example, do you need motorised/voice control blinds? Do you prefer hanging vertical blinds or snug-fit roller blinds? Having a preference is ok, and can help us to determine which blinds are best for you. 

Light Control:

Determine the level of light control you desire. Some blinds offer complete blackout, while others provide filtered light. Consider the direction your windows face and the amount of sunlight they receive. Don’t just consider the current climate, try and think back to what the light levels were like in previous seasons as well.

Privacy Needs:

Consider the levels of privacy you require in each room. Some rooms, such as bedrooms, might require a total blackout blind that prevents the ability to see in at all. Other rooms however might need a degree of privacy, such as living rooms and kitchens where the levels can be adjusted to suit, such as open during the day and closed during the evening. Some blinds even offer a view to the outside while limiting people’s ability to see inside.

Material and Durability:

The material of the blind plays a big part in its durability. For example, in a kitchen, you might want to consider flame retardant and wipe clean fabrics depending on their proximity to the cooking area. For everyday blinds, it is a good idea to consider materials that suit your style and stand up to the conditions in the room. You may decide to go for a plain, minimal design to suit a range of decors and colours if you like to redecorate a lot, or you might go for bold, colourful and patterned material to bring the “feature wall” to the window. Whatever your preference, we have a blind to suit you!

Maintenance and Cleaning:

Different blinds require different cleaning methods. Consider how much time and effort you’re willing to invest in maintaining them.

Safety:

If you have young children or pets you may want to consider motorised blinds. This is one of our safest offerings as they have no operational cords. However, ALL of our blinds comply with UK safety laws and all operation cords will be fixed to the wall upon application by our team, dramatically lowering the chances of accidents.

Warranty:

Most blinds come with a warranty of some sort, but the length and terms of the warranty can vary. All of our blinds are covered by a 12-month warranty. 

Samples:

Before booking a consultation, you might want to see a few styles for yourself, feel the materials and see the quality of the fabrics. We offer a free home delivery of up to 5 samples of your choice directly from our website. Simply search for the blind style you like and click the request sample button next to it. Checkout the sample basket and they will be delivered free of charge to your home. 

Expert Service:

Once you have considered all alternatives, it is time to book your home consultation! This is a free, no-obligation service offered to anyone in the North East of England. We will attend your property at a pre-arranged appointment time and go through all of your options, listen to any concerns and offer our expert advice on styles and fixtures. We then measure your windows and provide you with a quotation that lasts for 30 days. We do not employ “salesmen” and nobody works on commission, so you will not be made to feel pressured to buy. Once we have received your order your blind will be produced in our factory and fitted within 2 weeks of ordering.

 

By considering these factors, you’ll be better prepared to make an informed decision and find window blinds that enhance the aesthetics and functionality of your home. Happy blinds shopping!

The Best Blinds For Your Conservatory

The Best Blinds For Your Conservatory

For those who don’t know, a conservatory is a room with a glass roof and glass walls attached to the side of a house for extra space. It can be used as a sun lounge or for growing delicate plants. To control sunlight and heat, the use of blinds has come into play.

The best blind for your conservatory depends on the size and the type of requirement you are after. This blog will detail the best blinds for your conservatory depending on your needs and tastes.

Transitional Blinds

Using transition blinds in your conservatory is ideal for controlling light. It is a unique way to alter the glare coming into your room. Adding two fabrics into one blind will give the owner better control of light and privacy within their conservatory. For a more adventurous look, owners can also combine two different fabrics in one. These blinds are simple to operate and versatile. Transitional blinds provide privacy throughout the day and night, letting some light in during the day and keeping the world out during the night. Blinds such as pleated blinds, day & night blinds, Velux blinds and vertical blinds are ideal styles for light control.

Perfect Sleek Blinds

When searching for a sleek and sophisticated design for your conservatory, perfect-fit blinds are ideal if you spend a lot of time inside them. Within any room, the frames of the windows are an integral part of the aesthetic in the room. Roller, Pleated or Venetian blinds can be put into perfect-fit blinds for a different styles.

Here at A1 Blinds, we have a vast range of styles on all blinds listed above with FREE measuring and fitting in the Northeast.

Regulate the Temperature

If regulating temperature in your conservatory is your requirement, then using blinds with thermal shade technology is what you need! Thermashade technology blinds are honeycombed cells in blinds that can reduce heat loss by up to 51%. Thermal blinds can also be made-to-measure and are great for all budgets. Thermal blinds come in different styles and help save on energy bills by regulating the temperature in a room. They are ideal for keeping warmth in during the winter and keeping rooms cool during the summer – YEAR-ROUND INSULATION!

Here at A1 Blinds, we have a 25% off thermal and recycled blinds sale for autumn. Click the link now to browse: https://www.a1blinds.co.uk/offers

Making Life Easy

Make life in your conservatory easy with motorised blinds today! Motorised blinds are ideal for large roofs or windows that are hard to reach. Motorised blinds are the way of the future. These remote-control blinds allow you to control blinds without pulling strings and control the amount of sunlight in your conservatory. Wireless remotes and smartphone apps let you set a alarm clock, added security and overall convenience. Motorised blinds can come in Venetian, Roller, Verticals and Allusion blinds and stand the test of time.

Browse our motorised blinds range now for a taste of luxury.

Large Windows Control

Vertical blinds are a fantastic choice for floor-to-ceiling window and large windows in your conservatory. They cover large areas of glass and fingertip control over light. Vertical blinds are tilted panels of fabric to help let light in whilst protecting your privacy. Vertical blinds come in various designs, textiles and prints to suit the style of your conservatory.

Browse our Vertical blinds range now and book a FREE consultation.

Warmth of Woods

Wooden blinds give any conservatory a natural and organic feel of nature. Install wooden blinds to add warmth and character to your conservatory. The wooden look can come in a variety of finishes. Wooden blinds are easy to clean and won’t wrap in the heat, making them ideal for conservatories worldwide! You can pick from real or faux wood if environmentally conscious. If looking for wooden blinds, wooden Venetian blinds are perfect due to their natural design and practical use.

If looking for wooden Venetian blinds for your conservatory, look no further than the A1 Blinds wooden Venetian blinds range!

In conclusion, there are many types of practical blinds for your conservatory. Whether looking for blinds for fashion, heat regulation, convenience or a natural look, A1 binds have you covered!

How Do Perfect Fit Blinds Work?

How Do Perfect Fit Blinds Work?

There are several reasons why people love perfect fit blinds and not just because they look great. Perfect Fit blinds come with a long list of benefits from style right through to substance. So, if you’re considering perfect fit blinds but are not quite sure how they work, let us fill you in!

How Do Perfect Fit Blinds Work?

When choosing perfect fit blinds, expect to get exactly what it says on the packet – perfectly fitting blinds. What makes them perfect fitting, you ask? It’s not just the fact that we get the measurements spot on!

Perfect Fit blinds have their own framework system, which clicks onto the beading on your PVC window frame. No drilling or screwdrivers are required! Your blinds are then attached to this Perfect Fit system and operate up and down within the frame!

The Benefits of Perfect Fit Blinds

Hopefully, now, perfect fit blinds make a little more sense, and you’re starting to picture them in your home! We don’t blame you. This style hasn’t been around for long, but they’re one of our most requested blinds, time and time again. Here’s why:

  1. Easy to fit. Perfect fit blinds are exceptionally quick and easy to fit! Just attach the frames to your windows, and voila!
  2. No Drilling. With no drilling required to fit the blinds, there’ll be no need to make a mess of your PVC window frames! Also, because you don’t need to drill holes, Perfect Fit blinds are a great option for rented properties.
  3. Light control. Since they’re fitted directly to the frames, there’s no opportunity for the light to creep in around the edges of the blinds. Perfect for those cosy nights in and getting a good nights sleep.
  4. Thermal efficiency. A second advantage of being fitted directly to the frames, with no gaps around the edges, you’ll be able to keep the heat in (and out in summer) much more efficiently!
  5. Child safe. With no cords or chains, perfect fit blinds are inherently child safe – making them a fabulous choice for homes with young children.
  6. Perfect for doors. Perfect fit blinds can also be fitted onto patio doors neatly without hanging down at the risk of damage!
  7. They are neat and tidy. They sit flush within the frames of your windows, freeing up lots of space around your window and windowsill.

Perfect fit bathroom blinds

What Blinds Styles Work with The Perfect Fit System?

You have so much choice when it comes to the Perfect Fit Blinds System, but we’ll start with what styles are available.

When you decide to go with the Perfect Fit System, you’ll have the choice of four different styles of blinds. Within the frames themselves, you can choose from Aluminium Venetian blindsWooden Venetian BlindsPleated Blinds and Roller Blinds. All of which come in a wide range of colours, textures, prints and finishes. You won’t be stuck for choice!

Both styles of Venetian blinds will operate as they usually would. You’ll be able to raise them and close them completely, as well as operate the slats for maximum light and privacy control. Same with Rollers and Pleated Blinds, you’ll be able to open and close them with ease, just like you normally would! The only difference is that they’ll fit neatly into your window frame!

Patterned perfect fit blinds

Where to Use Perfect Fit Blinds in Your Home

Perfect Fit Blinds are a great choice for every room in the house! Perfect for the minimalist! Thanks to their discreet, chic look, they’ll work brilliantly across the home and are ideal for both shallow window areas and ‘busy’ windowsills. Plus, with such a wide range of styles to choose from, you’re sure to find a perfect fit blind suited to any space.

Perfect Fit blinds are particularly popular in conservatories and orangeries. For rooms like these that have many windows, having lots of blinds, cords, chains and hooks around the room can become unsightly. So, with perfect fit blinds, you’ll enjoy a window covering solution that looks like it’s part of the architecture!

Perfect fit conservatory blinds

Now you know all there is to know about perfect fit blinds, what do you think? If you’re ready to take the plunge and have perfect fit blinds installed at your home, here’s how…

If you’re based in the North East of England, start by booking a free home consultation on our website. During this appointment, one of our consultants will guide you through our entire range of perfect fit blind samples. Then, advise you on the best style of blind for your home and requirements! They’ll also measure your windows for you to ensure we’re getting it just right.

Following your consultation, you’ll relieve a free, no-obligation quote, valid for 30 days. Choose to go with us, and we’ll come back and install your perfect fit blinds for you, for free!

To get started, book your appointment on our website or get in touch at 0800 193 0417 or info@a1blindsuk.co.uk.

 

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