External blinds are a functional accessory for windows all year round

Rafblinds - external blinds for windows

Outdoor blinds , or as they are otherwise called, blinds, are protective elements that prevent light from entering the room, are easy to control and easy to install. With their help, you can maintain the temperature: keep it cool inside, prevent hypothermia in winter. They add elegance to the appearance of the building, complement and help create a unique exterior. External blinds are installed on the outside of windows. Their main distinguishing ability is to effectively distribute lighting and regulate the penetration of sunlight. But they also combine a protective function; these are certainly not roller shutters, but the front ones don’t have such a task. The main thing is that they can, for example, save a double-glazed window from getting a foreign object (brick, or shot from a pneumatic gun) into it.

Description of the appearance of the blinds

External window blinds are made of aluminum, which guarantees a long service life of the structure. They are functional, easy to operate and durable. They are popular among industrial buildings, offices and other premises where there are high windows. Outdoor blinds are considered an excellent alternative to indoor ones, also providing high protection for the premises.

They have four standard lamella colors: brown, white, metallic gray and yellow. All metal elements, with the exception of lamellas, can be offered in RAL colors. But depending on the manufacturer, equipment and color may vary.

Photo rafshtor

Installation options for outdoor blinds

External solar blinds have several basic installation options. Metal blinds on external windows can be installed:

• Overhead type
• Built-in
• Hidden

Each method is used only in a specific situation. The decision to install external blinds is made at the design stage. It is worth considering how installing external blinds on windows has its advantages and disadvantages. Thus, the external one is distinguished by the possibility of installing the structure at any time, but is slightly unaesthetic. Horizontal external blinds with a hidden type differ in the need to create a special niche for installation.

• Overhead

Materials for production

To produce reliable rain blinds, materials that are durable and resistant to external influences are used. Metal external blinds are made of galvanized or stainless steel and aluminum. Steel structures provide a high degree of burglary protection; they are massive and have significant weight, so they are installed only on the ground floor. Aluminum blinds are resistant to moisture and temperature changes, they are light and durable, do not undergo deformation and are designed for a long service life. Stylish design and a variety of color options allow you to decorate the facade of the building in an original way. Aluminum alloys are not susceptible to corrosion and do not burn. Due to their safety, their use is recommended for residential buildings, medical and children's institutions.

Aluminum

Inexpensive and practical external blinds made of plastic (PVC) have a decorative function and protect from the sun. Such material will not provide effective protection against burglary. Polymer structures are moisture resistant, they protect window frames and glass from contamination, and are an additional barrier from the cold. Their service life is shorter than that of their metal counterparts, but the price is more affordable. Plastic blinds are light and neat; they are used in apartments, offices, and institutions.

Plastic

Note! Seasonal external blinds are made from bamboo and fabric; they are not designed for year-round use and difficult weather conditions. The structures are removed in the autumn-winter period and used for protection from the sun in the warm season.

Wooden blinds have an attractive appearance and become a decoration of the building’s exterior; to increase their service life and protect them from moisture, they are coated with special compounds and varnish.

Overhead

Overhead

The external method of installing street blinds on windows is simple and requires low costs for additional tools. Its main advantage is that you do not need to create a special niche to place outdoor blinds . This method has several advantages

• For houses with already installed windows
• Suitable for various types of drives
• Does not block the light opening
• The box protrudes beyond the plane of the facade

External metal overhead blinds are more expensive than built-in ones. This can be explained by the simplicity of the functionality of this method.

• Built-in

What are the benefits of placing blinds externally?

At first glance, outdoor structures are an unusual location for blinds. But this method has a number of advantages, which can be characterized as follows:

• No overheating. Direct sunlight does not fall on the windows, keeping the room cool;
• Lighting adjustment. By opening and closing, you can achieve the desired illumination of the room during the day;
• Minimal window contamination. If your blinds are closed, then during heavy rain dirty drops will not fall on the glass;
• Protection from thieves. The latest models of blinds are equipped with deadbolt locks that prevent them from being lifted from the outside;
• Preservation of the window profile. External frames will last longer if they have reliable protection in the form of rain blinds.

Tightly closed blinds help retain heat in the room and reduce noise pollution.

Built-in

Built-in

The built-in method of installing external window blinds is characterized by installation directly into the opening. If the invoice is installed in the wall, then this method is more reliable and not so easy to install. Additionally, it is called anti-burglary, because it is almost impossible to break a window or break into it when such blinds are installed. Used if the building has high windows, electric external blinds . Since they can be controlled remotely, from a key on the wall, remote control, smartphone or smart home system.

The protrusion of the box in this case is insignificant or completely absent. Everything will depend on the depth of the opening. Repeatedly, property owners installed roof blinds on an already constructed building, and then sheathed the wall with foam plastic, followed by finishing, thereby hiding the frame and additionally insulating the building. From the outside, such blinds look like built-in ones. And it will be much more difficult to hack them. Before getting to the fastenings, the attacker will have to break the entire wall around the perimeter of the window or doorway. It is not recommended to install in small windows, as the box will completely cover them.

• Hidden

Design Features

External blinds can have three options for closing the window opening. They can:

• protect only the light-transmitting part of the window - they are mounted inside the external slopes;
• cover the entire window opening - such blinds are placed outside the slope;
• cover part of the outer wall of the building.

Regardless of the option chosen, external blinds must:

• effectively regulate the luminous flux at different times of the day in any lighting conditions;
• protect the room from heat loss or excess heating;
• reduce noise levels coming from outside;
• maintain an aesthetic appearance for a long time;
• withstand atmospheric conditions (wind, UV radiation, temperature changes) - this requirement applies to the lamellas, the frame, and the fastening system;
• be vandal-resistant;
• easy to operate;
• harmonize with the façade of the building.

Nowadays, consumers are offered a huge range of curtains for windows to choose from. They differ in the design of the slats and come with slats of the following shapes:

• C-shaped - have a maximum rotation angle and allow you to easily adjust the luminous flux;
• flat - the cheapest, also quite controllable, but the lamellas adhere less tightly to each other, which, when calibrating the system, can lead to unwanted gaps;
• Z-shaped - have a fixed amplitude of rotation, but when closed, such blinds are practically inaccessible for forced retraction and provide complete sun protection.

As for materials for façade systems for windows, you can find almost any solution on the market:

1. Steel with anti-corrosion coating or painting with compounds that prevent rust. Such external blinds are very reliable, resistant to vandals and can withstand wind loads well; they are perfect if the owner plans to cover a significant part of the wall of the building. The systems are expensive and quite heavy. When choosing precisely because of the mass of the lamella fabric, you must definitely pay attention to the reliability of the fastening and control system.
2. Made from stainless steel. The option is similar to the steel one, but has an even higher cost.
3. Made of aluminum with or without color coating. Such blinds are usually the best choice if there is no strong wind load expected, and there is no need to protect the room from external penetrations: aluminum is a rather soft metal.
4. Made of plastic. PVC slats and boxes are very light and cheap, but they are not strong enough and are gradually destroyed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation and temperature changes. So in 5–7 years the system will have to be changed.
5. Made of wood. An expensive solution, since the windows from the outside can only be protected by water-resistant, not moisture-resistant, blinds. Finding a suitable option will be difficult, and accordingly, the price will be very high.

Hidden

Hidden

Such a system can only be implemented in a pre-prepared niche, or, as I described just above, it can be installed with an overlap (perform an overhead installation), and then cover the facade with some material, you can even simply decorate it with some kind of cornices. In this case, the building will look much more attractive.

External window blinds are installed on the street side, immediately in front of the window. Before finishing work begins, a special niche is made in the lintel above the window, where the box will be installed. If necessary, an additional thermal insulation layer can be laid to ensure heat retention in winter.

Before installation, the main parameters are determined: Measurement of the window opening; Selecting a profile type; Control Mechanism Selection

Depending on the type of installation, you can select a specific system control option. This can be either manual control or automatic.

• On an inclined plane

Advantages of rugged blinds

The main advantage is the most effective protection against sun rays among all sunscreen systems . Due to the fact that the blinds are located outside the window, a ventilated space is created between them and the glazed surface.

Facade blinds not only prevent most of the heat from entering the room, but also prevent the glass itself from heating up, which plays an important role in creating comfortable conditions inside the house.

Raft blinds help save money on air conditioning and heating . Even in hot weather without air conditioning, the temperature inside does not rise too high, remaining comfortable.

The use of external blinds is more effective than air conditioning systems also because they are safe and do not require maintenance or periodic cleaning.

Rafblinds help not only protect interior spaces from overheating, but also regulate lighting. It is possible to completely darken the projector for use, or partially, for example, only the lower part of the window openings for comfortable working conditions in normal daylight.

The materials from which external blinds are made can significantly increase their service life due to strength, wear resistance and anti-corrosion properties . In addition, noise insulation protection is increased.

Painting the lamellas and the protective box in the colors of the RAL catalog allows you to use the blinds as an effective element of facade decoration, giving it an attractive modern look. These blinds can be combined with almost any finishing materials.

Another significant advantage is the ability to select controls. It can be manual, mechanical and carried out using a crank, or it can be automatic, when the electric motor is controlled by a remote control, a button or a specially programmed unit.

On an inclined plane

On an inclined plane

Raft blinds on an inclined plane can be installed both inside and outside the room. But for the cold climate of Russia, external installation on inclined or horizontal planes will not be acceptable, since in winter, snow may accumulate between the slats of the blinds and their operation will be impossible. Cleaning them will also be quite difficult.

Therefore, it is recommended to install this type of protective systems indoors on walls other than vertical ones.

External blind control

Lifting and turning of the lamellas is carried out in several ways: using a mechanical drive and an electric motor. Mechanical external metal blinds have a cost significantly lower than those made on an electrical system.

Installed on electric motors, they perform all functions at the touch of a button. Control is carried out using a remote control from the inside of the room. Outdoor blinds with control are able to independently rise or fall when the owner needs it. Mechanical ones are equipped with a special cardan shaft, to which a “curved” handle is connected, which is also located on the inside.

• Manual

Advantages of external blinds

The main advantages of these designs include the following:

• with the help of blinds you can flexibly regulate the intensity of daylight;
• reduce heating and air conditioning costs;
• the blinds will perform their functions for many years, while maintaining an aesthetic appearance;


External structures are more efficient than internal analogues, by about 400%

• provide additional sound insulation of the room;
• provide protection against accidental damage, vandalism and intrusion;
• rain blinds are easy to operate;
• easy and simple to install.

Manual

Manual control

The vortex control is the combination of a cardan transmission with a gearbox. With such a control and regulation system, raising and lowering shutters is much easier. The permissible weight of rugged blinds is no more than thirty kilograms. External metal window blinds, adjustable with a bar, have a high degree of safety.

Using long cardans, installation is possible on long window openings. After use, the handle folds into a flat bar, so blinds with such a system do not require additional space. The main scope of application is commercial enterprises and private property.

Video of installation of manual external blinds

• Automatic

Control system

Sometimes exterior blinds are opened and closed manually using a handle or cord, but most often an electric drive is used. The blinds are operated using a wall switch or remote control. The electric drive also allows you to equip the blinds system with a timer, combination lock, weather sensor, or combine it with the Smart Home system.

Control systems: manual and automatic

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Automatic

Automatic control

Automation involves controlling iron blinds on street windows using all modern methods:

• Remote controller
• Smartphone
• Built-in keys on the wall
• Smart home control systems

This technique greatly facilitates the operation of sun protection equipment. An electric drive with a built-in battery allows you to raise or lower the roller shutters while inside the building. The system is based on the transmission of infrared radiation or radio signals. Any of the methods is effective and is used in many modern rain blinds. Similar technologies have been implemented in roller shutters.

• Roller shutters

There's plenty to choose from

The materials used to make blinds are metal, plastic or wood. What to give preference to? Experts recommend aluminum and wood. They are stronger and have higher decorative capabilities. But in some cases, inexpensive plastic blinds can also be a good choice. It all depends on the specific requirements.

One of the main differences between different types of blinds is the way they are installed. In this regard, they are divided into external (external) and internal. The latter can be built into a double-glazed window, placed between frames or located inside the room.

External blinds (roller shutters) can most often be seen on the windows of commercial and office buildings. Their main function is protection from vandals and unauthorized entry. Glass is not a very reliable material from a safety point of view, but if you cover it with strong roller shutters, the situation changes radically.

Protective blinds for windows from the street are installed not only in production and office premises, but also in apartments located on the ground floors, in country houses and cottages, and garages.

Roller shutters - external protective blinds

External blinds on windows from the sun and protection of the room - roller shutters. A variety of protective elements against the penetration of bright light and intruders. Perhaps the second is even more relevant to this species. But since they are often installed on the roof of the window, on the attic windows, where snow can lie in winter, they can be called sun protection with complete confidence.

Like other shutters, they perform a regulating and decorative task. Their main operating system is based on guides, and the control system can be very different, from manual to automatic. Window blinds and roller shutters are different from each other - the former allow you to rationally use daylight and consist of two thin plates located one above the other. Roller shutters do not have such functionality and operate on a “light/dark” system.

Photo of roller shutters

• Bamboo roller blinds

Design and features of protective blinds

Security exterior blinds, or roller shutters as they are also called, are systems that are used for window and door openings on the outside of a building. The canvas itself moves along guides. When it rises up, it is rolled up in a closed system. Such a roll does not take up much space and is completely protected from external influences by a metal box. Such blinds are controlled using a manual or electric drive.

The design of external blinds consists of several elements. This:

Bamboo roller blinds

Outdoor blinds for a veranda of this type are controlled only using a system of cords. They differ from other models in that the shaft on which the fabric is wound is located at the bottom. Bamboo does not deform and can be used for verandas, gazebos, kitchens and bathrooms. It is not afraid of moisture and environmental influences. Check out other options for wooden blinds made from natural materials such as jute and linden.

Photo of bamboo outdoor blinds