Now that you know which type of shade suits you best (window shade or projection shade), you need to take a look at its fabric. Because it is on its quality that the durability, resistance and good use of your awning will depend. Note, for example, that there are several types of fabrics on the market, at different prices, but that not all are equal in quality.
Polyester fabrics for your window blinds
They are among those most used today. There are also all colors. As for their manufacture, their color in the mass ensures them a fairly good resistance over time. Discolourations are thus avoided during the first years and the density of the fabric gives them good durability. But although they are resistant, they are not as strong as acrylic fabrics.
Acrylic fabrics for its window blinds
They are Wood Window Blinds the best in the window shades market today. They are also colored in the mass, and not only on the surface, they resist very well to UV attacks and do not fade. Because of the tint was applied only on the surface, then it would take only a short time for climatic conditions to discolour and fade them. This is not the case here. They are also very easy to maintain. Because, with their good fabric density and a so-called water-repellent material, they fix every little impurity and can be cleaned by simply washing with water or using a mild soap.
But what also characterizes acrylic fabrics is their very good resistance to wind and tearing. Indeed, nothing damages them. This, therefore, gives them very good resistance to all difficult weather conditions and allows them to adapt to all openings and all regions of the world. They are also treated against humidity and therefore do not allow mould to settle.
Cotton fabrics for its window blind
They are now abandoned. It must be said that this material is far too fragile for repeated and constant use outdoors. Untreated against humidity, cotton presents a very high risk of stains and the appearance of mould, but can also easily tear. A replacement of the canvas should then be considered, sometimes shortly after its first use. But what appears even faster is the discolouration of the canvas. Very sensitive to UV, it only takes a few months for this material to fade and lose its pretty original colors.
Polypropylene fabrics for its window blind
Considered entry-level at a low price, these canvases are not at all comparable to those in acrylic and polyester. They are much less aesthetic and almost unable to protect you from outdoor temperatures and UV rays. They are considered moreover more as purely decorative blinds.
How to use your window blinds?
Natural light is very appreciable and should bathe your interior on a daily basis. Yes, but on condition that you do not dazzle yourself and especially do not cause sudden changes in the interior temperature. Because when the rays of the sun are reflected on your windows and cross them, they cause heat which diffuses quickly in your room. It then becomes almost impossible to lower the latter by a few degrees without the use of an air conditioner. Only the installation are made to measure blindscan therefore allow you to fight against this ambient heat without increasing your bill with intensive use of such a cooling device.
Therefore, if your opening offers a full south orientation, then you will be able to capture a maximum of solar calories. Which is very pleasant in winter, but much less in summer. In these conditions, to protect yourself from a feeling of a furnace inside, you must use your window shade in the right way. As soon as the strongest rays of the sun appear (from mid-morning in summer, for example), consider lowering your window blinds to the maximum.
Then reopen them when the sun and temperatures drop or night seems about to arrive. In winter, it is the reverse use that you will have to adopt. Open your awning as much as possible during the hours of sunshine, from daybreak. This will allow you to let natural light into your accommodation. So you can heat your room for free using the sun’s rays. Then, lower your window shades as soon as the sun sets or even before when the outside temperature begins to decline.
Study the resistance of your window blind
To make sure your awning resists good weather conditions, the best way is to choose your fabric type. Because faced with high humidity, only acrylic or polyester fabrics provide good durability.
The wind, on the other hand, has little influence on a vertical window blind. Because, with a low wind resistance, the latter remains firmly pressed against the glazing and presents almost no risk of tearing. It will therefore not be necessary to fold it up in the event of strong winds or storms. A simple air-drying will then suffice to ensure the good health of your window blind.
Box window blinds
Exterior window shades are very easy to install. And, unlike interior blinds (such as Venetian, roller, boat, Japanese, etc.), they create a thin layer of insulating air between your glazing and the fabric of the blind in question. This then provides perfect insulation against too hot or too cold outside temperatures.
There are two kinds:
The sliding box window blind: the latter is both aesthetic and very protective. With its aluminium frame, it securely holds the canvas in place thanks to a system of slides attached to either side of the opening.
The reduced-box window blind: the idea is the same here, the aluminium slides hold the canvas. But it also has a very compact trunk. It becomes almost invisible when folded up. Its exterior trunk is very compact and allows it to be very discreet on the front.
The presence of a box is therefore essential for a window blind. This is the best way to take advantage of the high durability of the entire system and increase its life. Therefore, when it is folded up, it is automatically well protected from external aggressions and humidity. All you have to do then is to choose between a box of standard dimensions and a more compact and therefore more discreet box according to your desires and your needs.
What color of fabric to choose for your window shade?
As we have seen, the quality and type of fabric determine the durability and comfort of use of your awning. But the choice of color is also essential. The latter has a strong impact on the system’s ability to insulate you from outside temperatures and on their ability to let in or out natural light.
Light or dark shades for your window blind?
Light colors are ideal for keeping a strong passage of natural light in your home. But beware of the risk of glare. Because the latter only protect very little from UV rays and sunlight. Therefore, if it is good thermal and light insulation that you are looking for, it is better to go for dark shades. ■■■■■■, greys, browns, etc. are then much more suitable. These dark fabrics (black in particular) also provide particularly good heat protection. However, they are also a little more fragile when it comes to discolouration and will tend to show some signs of color change over time. This is less the case when it comes to light shades.
If you have shutters and you are just looking for an extra or decorative solution, then all the follies are allowed. You can also opt for a bright color and integrate your blind as a real decorative asset. To make space bigger or to give the feel of it, choose a light canvas shade like beige, cream or white instead. But light greys are also very suitable. They reinforce the idea of the grandeur and bring a feeling of calm, relaxation and appeasement to the room. The brighter colours, on the contrary, bring a touch of modernity and dynamism to your decoration.
Associate your exterior window blind with your interior or exterior decoration
In terms of decoration, through the choice of its color, you can then create continuity between spaces. You can therefore choose a shade close to your interior and exterior furniture or, on the contrary, play on the contrast. Note, however, that we recommend the installation of a vertical blind on a contemporary house. The projection blind, for its part, fits better on a building or a charming house. Each of these devices is thus perfectly suited to the spirit of the housing concerned.
Useful to protect you from harsh outdoor conditions in summer and winter, the window blind also has a decorative dimension. The choice of its color is therefore not secondary because here it replaces both the curtains and the shutters. 2in1 system, it allows, in any case, to achieve great energy savings throughout the year. It is therefore equipment of choice for all owners looking for comfort, aesthetics and savings.