Blinds are beloved throughout Melbourne for their modern, sleek looks and ease of operation. As a window furnishing, you have many different styles, colours and materials to choose from, and when it comes down to it, the material is one of the most important factors to take into account.
The materials your blinds are made from can affect how well they block out light, how much privacy they offer, how easy they are to clean, and how long they last when exposed to sunlight and humidity.
In this blog, we’re going to explore some of the most popular blinds on the market and what kinds of materials they come in. This can help you decide on what type is best for your property and your individual needs.
Let’s dive in!
Also called plantation shutters, these blinds feature thick horizontal slats in an equally sturdy frame. You can adjust the angle of the slats to let in more light, and some can even be opened outwards for a clear view of the outdoors. At Alfresco Blinds, you can choose from hinged, bifold, or sliding plantation shutters.
Here are some of the most common materials plantation blinds are made out of.
Wood is loved for its warm texture and soft finish. At Alfresco Blinds, we make our plantation shutters out of two different materials:
Poplar is a good choice for humid areas like the kitchen and bathroom, as it doesn’t crack, warp or peel easily.
You can use basswood for every area of the home, as it doesn’t warp and is resistant to extreme temperatures and moisture.
This synthetic material is a great choice for plantation blinds and is an affordable material that doesn’t scrimp on style. In fact, its warm and cosy look can be likened to that of wood. PVC is designed to resist the damaging effects of UV rays and is impervious to rusting. It’s also wonderfully easy to maintain! No extensive oiling or conditioning is required.
This composite polymer has better moisture resistance than wood and is excellent for insulation purposes. It is fire-retardant, moisture-resistant and hypoallergenic, making it perfect for any room of your home. It’s a beautiful and long-lasting choice for your plantation shutters, with an elegance that is perfect for the modern homeowner.
Read more about these window treatments in our blog on the Top 5 Benefits of Choosing Plantation Shutters Over Traditional Blinds.
For a timeless elegance you want people to notice, you can’t go past Roman blinds. These luxurious blinds can be made from a variety of different fabric types, and at Alfresco Blinds, we source our materials from leading suppliers such as:
Roman blinds need to be able to drape elegantly while also withstanding daily use, so look for fabrics that match how you will be using them. If your Roman Blinds will be exposed to direct sunlight, look for colourfast materials or ones that have a protective backing on them to protect them from UV damage.
Roman blinds can be accessorised with extras like trims, piping, a pelmet, a swag bottom or timber laths. Different materials and colours can make for a very interesting window treatment, so feel free to mix and match to find a design that works for your space.
You can find out more about Roman blinds in our blog titled Roman Blinds Vs Roller Blinds: An In-Depth Comparison.
Holland blinds are more commonly known as roller blinds, and feature a single piece of material that is rolled and unrolled to cover your window. Indoor roller blinds need to be made from materials that can withstand this rolling action safely, so you’ll want to look for durable fabrics and materials for these window treatments.
Polyester is a synthetic material that is often blended with a bit of cotton when used for making fabric roller blinds. Combining it with cotton gives the polyester the durability it needs to prevent frays and tears, plus a little bit of softness that makes it more appealing to look at.
Indoor roller blinds made from PVC are extremely durable and can be recycled once they reach the end of their lifespan. Their water resistance makes them a fantastic choice for areas where your window furnishings may get wet, like the bathroom, laundry or kitchen.
Also referred to as dual roller blinds, these window treatments feature two different blind materials on a single, special double bracket. You can raise and lower each blind independently, allowing you control over light levels at different types of the day.
Double roller blinds are usually fitted with one opaque blind and one sheer one (called a sunscreen blind), allowing for sunlight during the day and privacy at night. These combinations are called day night blinds, and usually feature blackout blinds that will completely block out light from sunlight or streetlamps and prevent it from lighting up rooms when people are trying to sleep. When paired with sheer blinds for windows, block out blinds can become the ultimate window furnishing for those wanting to enjoy natural light and privacy at their leisure.
For more information on day night blinds, please read our article on the Top 5 Benefits of Choosing Day Night Blinds for Your Windows.
Whether you want natural fabrics for your indoor blinds, prefer synthetics or want a combination of both, this table will make it clear which is best for your needs.
| Natural Fabrics | Synthetic Materials | |
| Ease of Cleaning | Difficult
Can stain easily. Will need to be washed in a machine or hand washed to remove dirt and grime. |
Easy
Resistant to moisture and so will repel most liquid stains. Can be brushed or wiped down for cleaning if needed. |
| Durability | Moderate
Can last long if maintained and treated for protection against UV rays. |
Long-lasting
Can be prone to fraying if cut incorrectly, but should last a long time otherwise. |
| Visual Appeal | Strong
Soft to the touch and textured. |
Strong
Can be textured or flat, are usually firm or hard to the touch. |
| Colour Range | Moderate
Can be dyed in colours of left natural. Colours can fade over time. |
Extensive
Can be created in a wide range of colours, and are resistant to fading. |
Your choice of indoor blind materials should be based on how often you think they will need to be cleaned and how much sunlight and moisture you expect them to be exposed to.
At Alfresco Blinds, we can offer you a great range of manual and motorised blinds to choose from. When choosing yours, make sure to read our blog on 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Indoor Blinds first!
Got a material in mind that you’d like for your Roman, plantation or roller blinds? We’re here to help! Alfresco Blinds is a leading installer and supplier of blackout blinds, electric roller blinds and many other kinds of indoor window treatments across Melbourne.
Whether you have questions about what types of materials our blinds are made out of or any other queries for our team, please don’t hesitate to reach out! You can call us on 1300 735 077 or leave us a message using our online form.
We also offer free quotes, so you can get a clear indication of what a beautiful new set of double roller blinds, plantation shutters or sheer blinds for your windows will cost you.
