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Trends in Blinds, Curtains and Awnings

With summer coming, many people are looking for new blinds, curtains or awnings in order to help keep the summer sun out.  We’ve spoken to Joe Zammit from Apollo Blinds to see what the latest trends are.

Reduce the Heat

Stopping heat from entering the home helps to reduce energy bills as the air-conditioning does not have to be set at too high a level or work harder to compensate for the extra heat.  Zammit says that the most effective way to stop the heat is with an external shading device. 

 “Fabric awnings are effective, as are aluminium roller shutters and external aluminium louver shutters. These – apart from the louver shutters – can be operated internally or even motorized.

“Internally, a close-fitting Roman Blind face-fitted to the window will help trap the heat and, with a white backing, can even reflect some heat back through the window.”

Other ways to reduce heat include the use of cellupleat shades and cedar shutters.

“Cellupleat shades have a honeycomb construction which insulates due to a double layer of fabric.  Cedar shutters on the inside also do a great job insulating as cedar is a natural insulator and the shutter blades close tight.”

So what materials are being used at the moment?  Zammit says that materials are ranging from rigid PVC verticals to soft polyester/cotton fabrics.

“Customers tend to choose blockout materials for privacy but translucent materials still offer a degree of privacy without compromising the thermal properties.

Trends and Colours

“A popular trend right now is for screen fabrics which allow you to retain a view by day, however, at night the reverse applies and people can see in with a light source turned on in the home.”

Even though translucent materials are popular, privacy can be compromised at night.  Zammit recommends a double roller system off the one bracket which allows you to pull down a blockout blind at night.

Another popular trend is the minimalist look.

“Traditionally, in roller blinds, for example, people chose from a vast array of trims and tassels and were typically spring controlled.  Now customers like the chain driven options with aluminum base bars across the bottom finished with a cassette at the top.

 “Slimline aluminium Venetians, once the rage, have been replaced by the timber look Venetians in timber tones as well as whites and off whites.

“As far as colour goes, eighty percent of all choices come from twenty percent of the spectrum – whites and off whites. 

“Chocolates have been popular of late and metallics are also in,” Zammit says.

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