Roller blinds guide

What is a roller blind?

A roller blind is a window blind typically made from a polyester fabric wrapped around a plastic or metal roller, raised and lowered over the window ^[2].

It provides privacy and light control on windows and glass doors ^[3]. It is widely used in offices and on balcony and terrace windows ^[1].

Types of roller blinds

The key difference is how much light passes: blackout blocks as much as possible, dim-out reduces it strongly, and screen or light-filtering fabrics soften daylight ^[4][5]. Total darkness is not guaranteed; see our blackout curtains guide.

Choose blackout if night-time privacy matters: it gives full privacy day and night. Light-filtering and screen fabrics obscure the view from outside by day, but at night, with lights on inside, the room can be seen from outside ^[5].

• Blackout: keeps out as much light as possible; total darkness is not guaranteed ^[4][5].
• Dim-out: greatly reduces light but does not darken the room completely ^[4].
• Screen (solar control): technical fabric graded by openness factor; cuts glare while keeping the outward view ^[7][8].
• Zebra (day-night): solid and sheer stripes slide over each other to adjust light and privacy without raising the blind ^[6].

Openness factor in screen fabrics

The openness factor is the share of open area in a screen fabric’s weave (such as 1%, 3% or 5%). The lower the openness, the more sun is cut and the less of the outside is visible; glare reduction also depends on colour. When choosing, check the Tv and EN 14501 values on the fabric card ^[7][8].

One manufacturer’s catalogue states that a 1% openness fabric in its darkest colour filters up to 97% of light rays ^[7]; in light colours filtering is markedly lower ^[8]. This manufacturer gives its values in the thermal and visual comfort classes of the European standard EN 14501 ^[8][19].

When choosing, check the EN 14501 values on the fabric card: colour and fabric type change the result at the same openness ^[8].

How to measure

Use a metal tape and measure in several places. For mounting inside the recess use the narrowest width; for mounting outside (wall or ceiling) add an overlap on each side ^[9][10].

Inside the recess, measure the width at the top, middle and bottom and the height at left, centre and right; use the narrowest width and the longest drop ^[9].

Outside the recess, add about 5–6 cm per side so light does not leak around the edges ^[9][10]. Handles, radiators and sills can obstruct mounting, and the order size may differ from the product’s outer size ^[10].

Mounting: why the ceiling?

We recommend ceiling mounting: the roller blind is the layer closest to the glass, and the fabric roll is fixed on the ceiling line above the window, not on the window frame. With a motor, the cable also comes neatly from the ceiling.

Ceiling mounting is chosen when there is not enough wall above the window or when the blind should start from the ceiling ^[11]. Mounted on the ceiling line, the blind covers the whole window and stays behind the sheer and the curtains, so the layer order from glass to room is roller blind, sheer, curtain.

Fit one blind per window. For rented homes there are clamp-on models that do not damage the window frame ^[3].

Chain, spring or motorised

A roller blind runs in three ways: a chain or cord turning the tube, a spring that rolls it up, or an electric motor inside the tube ^[2][3].

With a chain system there is an endless cord or bead chain on one side of the tube ^[3]. With a spring system, pulling the fabric down tensions a spring inside the tube ^[3]. With a motor, the motor sits inside the tube ^[3] and is controlled by wall switch, remote or app, and can be linked to smart-home systems and voice assistants ^[2][12].

Battery (wire-free) motors exist for places without a cable; the batteries are rechargeable or replaceable ^[13]. Cordless motorised operation adds safety in homes with children ^[12].

Child safety

Hanging cords and chains are a strangulation hazard for young children, especially under 3; keep them out of children’s reach ^[14].

Since September 2014, European standards require all internal blinds to be designed, manufactured and fitted to limit this risk ^[16].

• Hanging operating cords should end at least 1.5 m above the floor (Ireland’s standards body says 1.6 m); also follow the product’s own instructions ^[10][15][14].
• Cut looped cords and fit tassels; if they cannot be cut, use a tie-down or tension device ^[14].
• Keep cots, beds and high chairs away from windows, and climbable furniture away from cords ^[14].
• Only keeping cords out of reach removes the risk completely; safety devices reduce it but do not eliminate it ^[14].

Care and cleaning

Lower the blind fully, vacuum on low suction and, if needed, wipe with a slightly damp microfibre cloth; check the care label before wet cleaning ^[17].

Heavily soiled fabric can be soaked briefly in soapy water and cleaned gently ^[17]. Our advice: for blackout and coated fabrics, check the manufacturer’s instructions first.

Relevant standards

The main European standards for internal blinds are EN 13120 (performance and safety), EN 14501 (thermal and visual comfort) and EN 16433/EN 16434 for child safety ^[16][18][19].

• EN 13120: requirements internal blinds — including roller, venetian, vertical and pleated — must meet when fitted to a building, and machinery hazards in use ^[18].
• EN 14501: thermal comfort (solar factor) and visual comfort (glare, night privacy, outward view) classes for solar protection products ^[8][19].
• EN 16433 / EN 16434: test methods and safety-device requirements against strangulation hazards in internal blinds ^[16].