Blinds for the balcony, roller blinds, roller blinds for sliding windows, vertical

The balcony is the most illuminated part of the apartment or house. This is not only a big advantage of the room, but also causes some inconvenience.
For example, on a hot day, the balcony heats up the room adjacent to it, house plants burn under the influence of direct sunlight, and the bright light from lanterns disturbs you at night.

That is why you can see a variety of curtains on almost all modern balconies. Let's figure out which curtains are best suited for placement on balcony windows.

Which blinds are best to hang?

A few recommendations for choosing:

It is not recommended to choose vertical slats for a small balcony space.
For a loggia with sliding windows, both vertical and horizontal models with ceiling mounting are suitable.
For loggias located on the south side, it is advisable to use products made from denser materials.
It is better to design small balcony windows with horizontal structures, with the type of glass mounting.
It is better to choose the size of the blinds slats 5-10 cm smaller than the balcony frame.

Types of structures

There are several design varieties of blinds, each of which allows you to choose the ideal solution for decorating your loggia.

Horizontal models

A fairly simple and convenient design does not take up much space, looks weightless and does not overload the space of even the smallest balcony.

Vertical blinds in the interior of a balcony

They are made of plastic, fabric, aluminum, and have many shades and colors. When fully closed, they resemble curtains and perfectly protect the loggia from the sun. It is better to use such models for large areas.

What curtains to decorate the loggia with?

The choice of curtains is based on decorativeness and often the ability to fasten curtains without a cornice - this is a feature of balcony rooms. Models that meet these requirements are grouped into 3 groups: classic, lifting, sliding.

All curtains made from ordinary fabrics are susceptible to contamination and fading, and removing them from the balcony can sometimes be problematic.

Classic

This includes the well-known fabric curtains. Both dense and lightweight materials are selected for the balcony. If you only need to cover the glass, then transparent or translucent fabrics are suitable. A thick curtain will help you securely close yourself off from prying eyes or noise. Typically, classic curtains require curtain rods, but you can also hang curtains without a cornice with your own hands.

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Lifting systems

Many designs fall into this category and each of them can be used for a balcony:

Roman - rising up canvases with horizontally folded fabric. They are functional, beautiful, and made from various materials. There are several ways to attach curtains without a cornice to balcony windows. The Austrian, English, French models are similar to them, differing from each other in the splendor of the folds

Roman curtain

Vietnamese - a rectangular piece of fabric is rolled into a roll and secured at the desired height with tapes. These are double sided curtains.

If you need the installed curtains on the balcony to constantly fall and rise, then using Vietnamese curtains will be inconvenient.

Rolled - in them the fabric is wound onto a shaft using a chain mechanism. These are the most functional curtains to cover a balcony. Reliable and convenient control mechanisms, fabrics impregnated with dust- and water-repellent compounds that do not fade from the sun are the main differences between these systems and curtains made from conventional materials. The abundance of colors, textures and simple installation make roller blinds on the loggia a true favorite. Large structures are equipped with an electric motor.

Sliding systems

To create a minimalist interior, you can install Japanese curtains on the balcony. The top rail is attached to the ceiling, which usually does not cause problems. Lower - to the window sill or floor - loggias in modern apartments are completely glass.

Advantages and disadvantages

To understand which blinds are best to choose for a glazed loggia, compare their types according to the main parameters.

The comparison result can be seen in the table.

Name of blinds/curtains	Advantages	Flaws
Vertical blinds	attractiveness; Possibility of installation to protect the loggia with panoramic glazing (ceiling cornice is installed)	transmit light; the design does not always fit into the interior
Horizontal blinds	versatility (blinds can be installed with minimal restrictions and fit well into the design of the loggia); the ability to install an intermediate position, which allows you to increase the light transmittance of the window if you change the position of the lamellas; simplicity of design; when necessary, replace the main components	difficulty of maintenance due to the small width of the lamellas; inability to install blinds on panoramic window units
Pleated	originality; do not allow light to pass through when closed, but do not completely darken the room	difficulty of care, due to the characteristics of the pleated fabric; there is no intermediate option: to increase the light transmittance of the window, you will have to raise the canvas, which is not always possible in bright sunshine; limited scope: the design cannot be installed on all types of windows
Multi-textured	attractiveness; the ability to create an emphasis on blinds on the balcony windows; many design solutions	difficulty of care; it is necessary to consider a combination of materials, design
Roller blinds	attractiveness; originality; more effective sun protection than blinds with slats; ease of repair - most often the control mechanism and rails need to be replaced; this kit can be purchased separately from other structural elements	there is no possibility to increase the light transmittance of the window - the curtains are raised or lowered, there are no intermediate options; difficulty of care (if the canvas is made of fabric)
Roller shutters of different types	low level of attractiveness; narrow scope of indoor application; large box	effective sun protection; preventing entry into the apartment through the loggia (on the lower floors)

What lamella material is suitable for a balcony?

For the manufacture of lamellas, various types of materials with very different textures and densities are used.

Fabric

Lightweight, resistant to sunlight and not subject to deformation. The only disadvantage of fabric models is their rapid contamination.

Plastic

Plastic blinds for the balcony are easy to maintain, practically do not fade in the sun and do not lose their appearance over time. However, slats made of inexpensive plastic deteriorate very quickly due to the fact that they are exposed to mechanical stress.

Aluminum

Strong and durable metal slats are easy to clean and are not afraid of moisture. A small drawback is that such structures create noise when opening and closing the doors.

Wooden

They look very beautiful and expensive. The lamellas do not fade in the sun and do not dry out. Natural bamboo products look original and exotic and instantly attract attention.

Paper

Pleated paper blinds are a universal and multifunctional option for decorating balcony windows. Indoors, they create a unique comfort.

Materials for blinds

Balcony blinds are made from the following materials:

plastic;
aluminum;
fabrics;
bamboo;
wood.

Although the choice of lamella materials is small, modern methods of decorating and applying designs are so diverse that the design options number in the thousands. In the above list, the cheapest are plastic and the most expensive are wooden. Which blinds made from natural or synthetic materials are better for a balcony?

Plastic. Basically, plastic blinds are made from polyvinyl chloride. It is chemically resistant to acids, solvents and other aggressive materials. PVC is well processed, so lamellas are made in different textures and colors. Textured patterns and reliefs are applied to them.

Photo 2: Balcony plastic blinds

Disadvantage: low strength and lightness. In a draft they are constantly noisy and the sound can be annoying. At high temperatures outside and in direct sunlight, they may lose their shape. Therefore, they do not need to be placed on the south side in the sun.

Aluminum. Blinds made of aluminum tape are the most common. Decorative paints can be easily applied to aluminum either in the usual way or by photo printing. They are very light and for stability, so that they do not blow away in a draft, a special weighting bar is used.

Aluminum does not rust, is durable, does not heat up, reflects the sun well, and is easy to clean. But there is one major drawback: it is enough to bend the lamella with a careless movement and nothing can fix it.

Fabric. Fabric blinds for balconies with sliding slats are available only in vertical versions. Any materials are used to make them. They are light and durable. To make it heavier, special weights are inserted at the bottom of the vertical slats. You can shorten them yourself if necessary. They are easy to repair; if necessary, it is enough to replace the fabric on one of the slats.

Photo 3. Pastel colors in the interior of the room.

Basically, synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics are used for their production. Synthetics are more resistant to ultraviolet radiation and do not fade in the sun; they are easy to wash and clean from dust. However, it is worth taking into account that dust collects on the fabric surface and must be regularly removed with a vacuum cleaner.

Bamboo. Although bamboo is not a tree, but a plant, its trunk is not inferior to wood in terms of strength, environmental friendliness, and decorativeness. Bamboo products last for decades. Bamboo curtains for windows are especially popular.

Photo 4. Bamboo slats.

Wooden. The most expensive, even if they are not made from precious wood. This is due to the difficulty of technological processing and adjustment of the lamellas. They are made from valuable wood veneer, and there are no plastic parts in the control mechanism.

Photo 5. Wooden slats

They wash well and are easy to wipe off dust. Wooden blinds in an apartment are a sign of the high status of the owner.

Tips for choosing

So, when choosing blinds for a balcony, consider the following:

Classic horizontal blinds, which are attached directly to the doors, cannot be installed on sliding aluminum frames. You need to select models mounted on walls or ceilings. Aluminum sliding sashes require blinds that are attached to the wall or ceiling.
For lovers of sophisticated design, I would recommend pleated blinds. They look especially organic on large windows, which are typical for balconies.
Buy roller blinds that are mounted on rails. Then, when opening the doors for ventilation, the curtains will not hang and dangle. You can generally purchase cassette curtains, in which the roll is disguised in a special cassette.

Loggia size and choice of curtains

A balcony curtain should create a harmonious image of the room, sometimes change its geometry, and be as functional as possible. These qualities are determined by the dimensions of the loggia.

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For a small balcony

Curtains are chosen from light fabrics, because dark ones will make the area even smaller. For the same reason, it is not recommended to hang curtains to the floor, use fabrics with lush drapery, for example, French, and overuse accessories. It is better to hang curtains on each window separately and choose plain fabrics. Let's say a small drawing.

Roll systems, Roman, Austrian and classical, are suitable for a small balcony.

For a large loggia

A fully glazed loggia looks great with classic floor-length curtains and tiebacks. Several canvases with separate string cornices will allow you to flexibly adjust the lighting. Here you can hang any curtains - Roman, Japanese, French, Vietnamese, or install a roller mechanism. It is better to cover each sash with a separate leaf - large ones are difficult to control and regulate the light output.

WATCH VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

For any balcony windows you can find and hang curtains to your liking. You especially need to take a closer look at roll models.

They are easy to care for, the wealth of choice allows you to choose blinds to suit any style, and installing them is easy and simple. Fastenings without drilling will not harm the plastic window.

What types of loggia blinds are there?

Blinds for plastic windows on the balcony allow you not only to provide control over the level of light, but also to stylishly decorate the room.

Pleated. They are a design with pleated fabric in the form of an accordion with folds of two centimeters.
Classic. Plain vertical and horizontal sun protection slats will be the most optimal solution for creating a modern and practical look for your loggia.
Photo blinds are the most beautiful look with bright and clear images printed using photo printing. You can choose the print format yourself; this is an undeniable advantage for creative people. They will add a special mood to the balcony room.
Multi-texture blinds are a universal type that combines the advantages of fabric and plastic slats.

How to install curtains if there is no cornice

There are different ways to hang curtains on the balcony without a cornice. The choice depends on the type of curtain.

Classic

To hang curtains without curtains, that is, in one row, you can use the following tricks:

Stretch a metal string across the entire width of the loggia - this method is suitable for light fabrics;
Stretch the fishing line - if there is no string or you need to attach the fabric to each sash. For this you will need beautiful carnations. Sometimes a line is passed along the bottom edge of the fabric to secure it;
You can hang curtains without a cornice by installing hooks and sewing loops to the curtains. For plastic doors, hooks with Velcro are selected;
Attach suction cups to the glass, and then hang light curtains on them.

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Roman curtains

To hang curtains, in addition to the cornice, a wooden block and Velcro adhesive tape are used. Installation is carried out to each sash or across the entire width of the balcony.

The hard part of the Velcro is attached to a block that fits in size. It is glued, stapled, and nailed. The timber is secured with self-tapping screws to the selected surface of the opening. The soft part of the tape is sewn to the fabric. In extreme cases, the fabric is connected to the bar with staples or nails, but this method is extremely non-functional - it will be extremely difficult to remove it.

You can attach rag blinds to the balcony - Roman blinds - to each sash separately. To do this, Velcro tape is again used with an adhesive backing on the hard part.

How to choose for windows of different shapes?

Blinds on the balcony allow the windows to take on a more thoughtful, deep and stylish look. However, windows can be not only standard, but also of various shapes and designs. Let's consider special cases in more detail.

Blinds on sliding windows on the balcony

Both horizontal and vertical models with a ceiling profile are suitable for sliding windows.

Panoramic windows

For such window openings, you can choose vertical slats to the floor, which can reach up to 6 meters in length or more. Panoramic windows on a small French balcony are decorated with horizontal slats and pleated blinds. They look light and make the room more spacious.

Types of balcony glazing

And so, first, let’s look at the types of balcony glazing for which we will subsequently select blinds for balcony windows. There are only two most common ones, this is the usual plastic design, with swing doors, for which there is an incredible number of different blind systems, and in most cases there are no problems with the choice. And the most inconvenient design in terms of choosing blinds is aluminum (metal) frames, the doors of which slide to the side, like a sliding wardrobe.

Photos of blinds for the balcony

For plastic windows with hinged sashes

I am sure that after reading this article to the end, you will choose the best option for balcony blinds. So let's get started!

On the sash

Mounting methods

All blinds, differing in type, are fixed to surfaces in several ways:

Drilling holes in the wall. This is possible if the installation is performed on a separate window unit. This method is not suitable for sliding systems, as well as for a loggia 6 meters long. Moreover, the structure should overlap the windows by 10 cm on each side.
Installation of cornice on the ceiling. In this case, the blinds will serve as curtains. They completely block the view of the room from the street (an important feature for apartments on the ground floors), as they hang from the ceiling.
Installation on a window frame. This option is suitable for horizontal blinds, roller blinds, and pleated blinds. The cornice is fixed above the double-glazed window, and a restrictive beam is attached below. For a compact loggia this is the most suitable method.
Fixation without fasteners - using double-sided tape. This method is not very reliable, but it allows you to install the blinds yourself. Moreover, it is suitable for windows of any type. The structure is attached to the frame.

Which color should I choose?

Various shades create a sophisticated color scheme in the room.

Multicolored

Quite an interesting solution that allows you to enliven and add variety to a laconic and austere balcony space.

Blue

The blue color evokes associations with the sea and gives a feeling of coolness. Therefore, blue or light blue slats are especially suitable for loggias located on the sunny south side.

White

White models reflect light well and return it to the room, thereby creating a visual enlargement of the small balcony space.

Beige

Classic design option. Calm and gentle beige on plastic windows does not have an irritating effect and looks very organic.

Reds

They attract attention and look quite stylish. But on a small balcony, dark red slats will make the space overloaded.

What to install on the balcony: blinds or roller blinds?

Recently, installed blinds or roller blinds can increasingly be seen on balconies and loggias. And in fact, there is a reasonable explanation for this.

Balcony glazing typically takes up a larger area (compared to simple room windows) and the problem of light control, privacy and sun protection for such large windows is actually more pressing.

Blinds or roller blinds installed on the balcony solve these problems. They are easy to use, practical, and many of their systems are designed specifically for plastic windows.

Therefore, very often our customers have a question: what to install on the balcony – blinds or roller blinds? In fact, many sun protection systems are installed on the balcony.

And often the decision to install a particular design of blinds or roller blinds is made taking into account several factors:

prices, convenience and individual requirements for the ordered products (sunny side or shady side near the balcony;
color scheme of the balcony and interior;
regular plastic windows on the balcony or sliding ones, etc.).

Vertical blinds installed on a balcony or loggia

Vertical blinds on balconies or loggias are usually installed on the ceiling. Depending on the necessary requirements for the product, as well as on the length of the balcony or loggia, this type of blinds is usually manufactured in one or two products.

For balconies and loggias, vertical blinds will in most cases be the most inexpensive option for sun protection products.

The advantages of vertical blinds installed on the balcony:

Vertical blinds for the balcony are made of fabrics with dust-repellent impregnation. This means that maintenance of these products will be minimal.
Vertical blinds allow you not only to block out the sun, but also to control the illumination of the balcony by turning the slats in the direction you need.
Vertical blinds are suitable for any type of balconies - with tilt-and-turn windows and with sliding windows.
Vertical blinds can be made with different control methods: the slats can move in one direction (for example, towards the mechanism) or in different directions from the center. Also, vertical blinds can be made on several cornices, and the products will be installed close to each other. This will also allow you to tailor product control to the characteristics of your balcony.
Vertical blinds have a large number of variations and can fit into any interior. Their slats can be made of a variety of fabrics, both the simplest and the most exclusive; they can alternate in a special way. They can be made of several materials (these will already be multi-textured vertical blinds) or photo printing with different views, pictures or textures can be applied to the slats.

Tips for installing vertical blinds on a balcony.

As a rule, vertical blinds for balconies are installed on the ceiling, so their installation in this sense must be technically possible. Windows on the balcony must be made in such a way that the cornice of vertical blinds installed on the ceiling allows them to open.
Since vertical blinds will inherently be installed in front of the window, when installing them on a balcony, it is necessary to ensure that the balcony windows open and are accessible. That is, the method of controlling the blind product must be chosen correctly.

Horizontal classic blinds on balconies and loggias

Horizontal classic blinds for balconies are usually installed on each window sash. Therefore, the windows on the balcony to select this sun protection system must be tilt-and-turn (not sliding).

Horizontal classic blinds for balconies are also one of the most inexpensive options for blinds, so they are very common. Since horizontal classic blinds are installed on each sash of a plastic window, the control of lighting on the balcony will be more functional; each sash will be controlled separately.

The advantages of horizontal classic blinds installed on the balcony:

Horizontal classic blinds are installed on each sash of a plastic window, which means that the illumination of each sash will be adjusted separately.
Horizontal classic blinds allow you not only to block out the light, but also to control it by turning the slats. This may be especially true if you have flowers on your balcony. By directing the slats of the blinds upward, the sun will not fall on the flowers, while the room will be light.
Horizontal classic blinds have a different number of variations. You can order them in different colors, with different lamella widths (16 or 25mm), combine lamellas from several colors, or order photo printing on them.

Horizontal blinds for the balcony

Horizontal blinds are a modern classic. They are relevant in any design and look very organic.

Horizontal blinds are good in modern and eco-friendly spaces and are not at all suitable for a classic interior.

Installing horizontal blinds on the balcony will not take much time, because the cornice is attached directly to the frame. It will not hurt to know that nothing threatens plastic windows; the craftsman removes the glazing beads from the frame on the balcony, and after installing the cornice, fastens it back.

The main advantages of horizontal blinds lie on the surface:

easy care (additional purchase of a special brush for self-cleaning);
attach directly to the frame and take up little space;
lamella width from 1.6 to 5 cm.

Horizontal blinds decorate the space

Don't want to use a frame mount? You can choose an alternative:

outside the window opening;
inside a window opening;
between the frames when the windows are double.

When installing the box on the frame, the window sill remains free for placing flowers or decorative elements.

Fortunately, there is no problem with the choice of material for horizontal blinds on the balcony. Aluminum slats are presented on the website at prices starting from 1,152 rubles, while wooden slats start from 6,628 rubles. The cost of blinds for a balcony varies greatly, so clients determine the relevance of the designs based on cost and design.

If you choose blinds for a balcony to protect from the sun, then it is better to pay attention to horizontal models, because the slats are adjustable according to the level of inclination, which allows you to set the necessary illumination, even in very strong sun.