Choosing the right color in the interior is underestimated, but today color therapy is receiving a lot of attention and more and more people are trying to follow simple rules that can significantly increase comfort and create a cozy atmosphere.
We do not urge you to go against your taste preferences and choose a shade you obviously don’t like, citing the opinion of psychologists. But, if you want to learn about the influence of certain colors on a person, his mood and even health, because the concepts are inextricably linked, read our short excursion into the world of color.
What are day-night roller blinds?
This type of curtain is often called “zebra” - unlike ordinary roller blinds, they have alternating translucent and opaque stripes. This effect is created thanks to two different types of fabrics on a canvas thrown over a roller.
It is thanks to these stripes that day-night curtains perfectly regulate the amount of sunlight in the room.
You can easily open the curtains completely during the day, dim the lighting if you leave the house, or hide the bright light of night lights before going to bed. Another feature is that it is not necessary to completely lift the canvas or move it to the side to look out into the street; To do this, just combine two transparent stripes.
See photos of elegant roller blinds in the interior
Day-night roller blinds are a modern, practical and stylish solution for decorating windows of any type. Selected with taste and attention, they will become an original decoration of the interior, flawlessly fulfilling their main function of filling the room with a comfortable amount of light for the eyes.
How zebra curtains work
Roller blinds are not as complex a mechanism as it might seem at first glance, but they are very functional.
There are several types of mechanisms for them:
- cassette, which is mounted on a profile, and the curtain opens thanks to an aluminum cassette moving along a guide;
- spring, where the curtain closes and opens due to a slight impact on the mechanism, have a short service life;
- chain, in which the curtain is wound around a tube with clamps and moved using a chain;
- automatic with electric drive and controller, with which you can remotely open and close curtains.
The design of any roller blinds also includes the canvas itself and a plumb line that does not allow the fabric to develop in a draft and wrinkle during use.
Day-night curtains are most often made with a chain or automatic mechanism, which is very convenient for use in any room.
Many models can be fixed both in the opening and to the ceiling or wall near the window. A variety of options allows you to combine roller blinds with tulle on the curtain or other types of curtains.
Types of roller blinds on windows
There are many varieties of day-night roller blinds. They are distinguished by the presence of a box that hides the shaft with fabric, fastening methods, and a control mechanism.
All their diversity can be divided into the following types:
- Maxi - open curtains for large windows. They only have top mounting to the wall, ceiling or sash of a fixed window. A chain mechanism allows the panel to be lowered and raised. An electric drive option is available.
- Mini – open compact design for small windows. They are mounted directly on the casements of fixed or tilt-and-turn windows along the entire perimeter.
- Silhouette - its device is more reminiscent of the original soft blinds: two layers of mesh are connected to each other by parallel strips of dense fabric. The angle of the strips is adjustable in the same way as in conventional blinds.
- Cassette roller blinds allow you to achieve maximum darkness due to their tight fit to the window. A roll of fabric hides a special box, side guides ensure there are no gaps.
- Automatic roller blinds, instead of a chain mechanism, have an electric drive, which allows you to adjust the lighting using a remote control. In addition, it is possible to connect to light sensors, a timer or a smart home system. In this case, automation will take over all the work.
size table
| width | height |
| 38 | 160 |
| 43 | 160 |
| 48 | 160 |
| 52 | 160 |
| 57 | 160 |
| 61 | 160 |
| 67 | 160 |
| 72 | 160 |
| 78 | 160 |
| 85 | 160 |
| 90 | 160 |
| 100 | 160 |
| 110 | 160 |
| 120 | 170 |
| 130 | 170 |
| 140 | 170 |
| 150 | 170 |
| 160 | 170 |
| 64 | 215 |
Types of day-night roller blinds
Depending on how you want to secure the roller blinds and for which window to use, you should choose one type of curtain or another. There are several types of them:
- Open - they represent a shaft with a cloth wound around it and an attached opening mechanism;
- Cassette - in this option, the shaft with the fabric is hidden under a semicircular or rectangular box. The whole design looks very neat and modern;
- Mini - have the same box, but have the dimensions of the opening and are mounted in its space, and not above the window;
- Rollo - here the curtain moves along the side guides. This type of construction is most often used for skylights, since they do not “hang” from an inclined surface;
- Large rolls - used for decorating large windows, shop windows, etc.
Each of these options can be used at home, in the office, in a cafe or store. A wide selection of prints and colors will help create the right atmosphere in each room, for example, adding coziness to the bedroom or emphasizing the strict lines in the study.
What are they?
The “day and night” model (another name is “zebra”) are double roller blinds, the stripes of which consist of opaque and transparent fabric and alternate with each other. When raised and lowered, the panels move relative to each other, which changes the illumination of the room. When the transparent stripes on one canvas completely coincide with the same stripes on the other, the maximum amount of light enters the room. If transparent panels are covered with strips of opaque fabric, twilight reigns.
The mechanism of the curtains allows you to illuminate the room naturally, letting in the rays of the sun, while hiding the room from prying eyes. All manipulations with the curtains from the outside remain invisible. At first glance, it seems that it is very difficult to control such a mechanism. In fact, the level of illumination and the lifting of the canvas are regulated by a simple chain. This model provides for the control of each layer of fabric separately, due to which they move relative to each other.
Materials for double roller blinds
When it comes to construction materials and mechanisms, manufacturers give preference to high-quality plastic. It produces practical and inexpensive parts that can easily be replaced yourself if the roller blinds break down.
But the choice of fabrics in this case matters. The most commonly used are linen, silk, polyester, cotton, viscose, and tulle.
Of course, synthetic fabrics are most often used because they are easier to care for. Synthetics are also added to natural materials to improve their qualities. Before installation on the roller, any canvas is coated with Teflon impregnation, which gives it antistatic properties.
If you are a lover of environmental friendliness, order roller blinds made from natural fabrics. But it is worth considering that they can no longer be cleaned with a simple brush.
What is better – horizontal blinds or roller blinds?
We have reviewed basic information about both types of structures. Let’s summarize the information received and highlight the pros and cons of each type in order to finally answer the question of what is better – roller blinds or horizontal blinds.
Pros and cons of horizontal blinds
The advantages of horizontal structures are undoubtedly:
- The ability to control not only the amount of incoming light, but also its intensity - using rotating slats. In addition, the light will enter the room evenly;
- Large selection of materials and colors - plastic and aluminum are painted in different colors from the company’s standard catalogue. Even wooden blinds can be of any shade, from light, almost white, to dark, close to black;
- Different widths of the lamellas - the appearance of the canvas depends on this indicator. Wide and narrow slats look different in the interior. Somewhere some will be more appropriate, somewhere others;
- A reasonable price is an integral advantage of horizontal structures, which makes them so popular. At a low cost, they provide excellent protection from the sun, unlike expensive curtains, which often serve only as a decorative element.
The play of light and shadow is one of the charming properties of rooms with horizontal blinds
There are also disadvantages:
- It is inconvenient to open a window when the blinds are installed in the window opening - the canvas can sway in the wind and make noise, and it also hides useful centimeters of the window space. This is a problem for those who use the window sill as a stand for flowers or other items. However, this same disadvantage is also characteristic of free-hanging roller blinds;
- The need for regular cleaning - as on any horizontal surface, dust will settle on the slats. You can remove it with a special brush or a regular damp cloth for cleaning.
Wet cleaning is contraindicated for wooden blinds! To treat them, it is worth using special compounds for polished wooden surfaces that are used to wipe furniture
Pros and cons of roller blinds
Among the advantages of roller blinds we can answer:
- Ease of installation - some structures are generally fixed to the sash using adhesive tape. And this is a constant plus for those who live in rented apartments and do not want to spoil the frames with holes for blinds. In addition, this means that you can install the blinds yourself;
- Large selection of colors - roller blinds have much more options than regular ones, due to the fact that, in addition to plain fabrics, there are different types of prints. In addition, you can order your own design;
- Ideally combined with textile decor - a single canvas harmonizes with the curtains and does not stand out from the overall picture with an overly office look, as can happen with horizontal blinds;
- Unpretentious to clean - the canvas is usually impregnated with a dust-repellent composition, and it is enough to wipe it occasionally with a damp cloth;
- They perform the function of light filters well - roller blinds are very good at regulating the amount of light. Moreover, they cope with the “blackout” function better than blinds, because they consist of a single piece.
Different positions of roller blinds “day/night”
But here are the disadvantages:
- There is no diffusion function - roller blinds do not have the ability to diffuse light throughout the room, as blinds do. The only exception here can be zebra roller blinds;
- They can break - the weak point of roller blinds is the adjustment mechanism. This often happens with inexpensive models. If you twist them back and forth often, they may become unusable.
Day-night curtains in the interior
In order for this version of curtains to fit well into the interior, it is important to choose the right not only their type and design, but also the color.
Here are some tips for color schemes for different rooms:
- rich and bright colors (lime, orange, yellow, etc.) are best left for the kitchen or dining room. Such shades awaken the appetite, help you wake up faster in the morning, and improve your mood;
- In the bedroom it is better to place curtains in more muted shades, pastel colors. This is especially true in cases where the curtain occupies the central space in the design of a wall with a window;
- for living rooms, the choice of color can be any, the main thing is that it suits the specific style of the interior;
- in the nursery, you can give free rein to your imagination and choose curtains with bright prints, for example, with your child’s favorite cartoon characters or cute little animals.
As for office premises, it is better to choose monochrome versions of roller blinds or, again, calmer shades.
Prints fit perfectly not only into children's bedrooms. If your room has a specific theme, it can be emphasized with one or another pattern on the day-night curtains.
Day-night system
Correct installation of roller blinds will allow you to effectively control the flow of light. You can do the whole process yourself thanks to short instructions. Fastening occurs as follows:
- one edge is attached to the shaft (rotating);
- the second is passed through the bottom and attached to the rail, which must first be fixed;
- if installed correctly, the bottom bar will allow you to lay a two-layer curtain;
- the mechanism is checked by a chain that controls the entire system.
If all manipulations are carried out according to the instructions, then it will be possible to regulate not only the overlap of layers on top of each other, but also the lifting height. The lock, which is built into the system for selecting the length level, is very easy to operate. For more information about window measurements and installing curtains, watch this video:
Another positive feature is the regulation of each element separately, that is, the ability to layer layers on top of each other.
Caring for roller blinds
Proper and timely care of day-night curtains will help extend their service life, preserve their appearance and rid the room of dust.
Tips for caring for roller blinds:
- When washing windows, curtains should be raised all the way and not lowered until the window is completely dry;
- To clean the canvas itself, you do not need to remove it from the window;
- Dust can be easily removed using a soft brush or a special attachment on a vacuum cleaner;
- Dirt and stains can be cleaned with an ordinary sponge dipped in soapy water. After cleaning, the contaminated area should be washed with a sponge with clean water and left to dry;
- Do not rub the fabric, crumple it, wring it out, or use products with abrasive particles or hard sponges for cleaning.
The plastic base of the zebra curtains can be simply wiped with a damp cloth to remove dust.
Attention! Under no circumstances should you use cleaning products containing chlorine to care for roller blinds - this will damage the delicate fabric.
How are roller strip curtains attached?
In fact, installing a day-night roller blind on a window is not difficult.
There are two ways to attach the curtain: using self-tapping screws and tape. It is easier to attach a light-weight curtain to a plastic window with tape; for wood or a heavy structure you will need self-tapping screws.
You will also have to drill if you choose the option of mounting on a wall or ceiling.
The sequence of installing roller blinds on self-tapping screws is as follows:
- Using a level, mark a horizontal line at the top of the window;
- Place the curtain on the shaft, release it completely and apply it to the window opening - it should cover it completely with a slight overlap;
- In the places intended for fastening, make marks with a pencil, drill holes and insert dowels into them;
- Attach the curtain to the screws and adjust the required length of the chain; to do this, lower the curtain completely and attach a limiter to the chain.
The second installation option is carried out in the same sequence; instead of drilling holes, tape is attached to the marked places. In order for it to hold the entire structure well, the plastic must first be degreased.
Tips for choosing zebra curtains
In order not to make a mistake in choosing a manufacturer and model when buying “day and night” curtains, just follow simple advice from experts.
When purchasing, it is important to consider:
- size and type of window - for example, roller shutters with side guides are more suitable for folding sashes;
- the color and material of the fabric should be combined with the interior style of the room;
- In office and other crowded rooms, it is better to install cassette roller blinds, since the fabric under the frame will retain its attractive appearance longer.
Nuances of choosing roller blinds
When choosing day-night roller blinds, you need to consider the following:
- Window size and type – fixed or tilt-and-turn. For the last option, attaching the curtains using side guides is suitable so that it does not move away when the window is open.
- The color of the curtain and the texture of the fabric should be selected to match the style and color palette of the entire room. In small rooms, light colors are preferable.
- In industrial or open areas where there is a lot of dust and exhaust in the air, it is advisable to choose an option with a closed shaft. In a special box, the fabric will remain clean much longer.
It is advisable to choose curtains from well-known manufacturers who monitor the quality of the fabric and mechanism (see below). In this case, the product will last a long time.
How to install roller shutters with your own hands
Installing roller blinds on a window is not the most difficult task. If you know how to use a screwdriver and a tape measure, there will be no problems.
The installation process begins with markings. There are several nuances to consider:
- If the curtain covers a window opening, then at both edges the structure should extend beyond the opening by 4-5 cm. From the bottom edge, the opening should be covered by approximately 10 cm with the canvas;
- When installing a curtain inside an opening, its edges, on the contrary, should retreat a couple of centimeters from the edges of the opening on the sides and bottom.
Don’t forget to check whether the window sashes open normally with this arrangement of roller shutters!
Description of the installation process of zebra roller blinds:
- First of all, we apply markings based on previously taken measurements. At this stage, it is better to double-check everything again, since remaking holes for fasteners can be problematic;
- Holes are drilled according to the markings and dowels are inserted into them;
- Brackets are screwed into the resulting holes;
- 12 cm is measured from the place where the roller shutter control chain is located, then an additional fastening is installed in this place;
- The structure is installed on the side of the control mechanism. A click will indicate the correctness of the action;
- At the last stage, the canvas is adjusted and the correct operation of the day-night system is checked.
This is the easiest way to install such curtains - even a beginner can handle it. If you have purchased roller blinds with a more complex fastening system or a large curtain and are not sure that you can install it correctly on the window, the right decision would be to seek the help of specialists.
How to assemble roller blinds, watch our video:
How Day-Night security roller shutters work
According to the mechanism of action, curtains of this type resemble a roller counterpart. The difference is that the latter option consists of 1 canvas, while Day-Night roller shutters consist of two. The fabric is thrown over the shaft. When the moving element begins to move, the material is displaced.
This allows you to set the stripes in the desired position:
- on one level: the room will be fairly well lit;
- transparent and opaque sections of the canvas are placed in parallel, in this case the room is darkened.
Another option for roller blinds “Day-Night”.
The stripes can also be installed in an intermediate position - half of the transparent area only partially covers the opaque material. At the same time, the illumination level decreases, but not much.
The room is still dimly lit. The advantage of such designs is the ability to ensure a tight fit to the frame. As a result, light will not enter the room around the perimeter of the curtains.
If the windows face the southwest side, the light intensity in the room is high, so using only Day-Night roller blinds is not recommended.
They will not provide sufficient darkening of the room during the day and evening, which is important in the summer when sunsets are late.
