Choosing blinds for large windows


Raewyn Gregory
Written by Raewyn Gregory
Russells Consultant
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Large windows can bring grandeur to a home, offering beautiful views and allowing in plenty of natural light. Working against them is the potential lack of privacy and security, and ironically, all that natural light can have it’s own downside. Choosing the right blinds for such challenges is an interesting task so here are some important things to consider, and a rundown of some of the best options.

Look and feel

Make sure you know what style you’d like to create as certain blinds offer very specific looks. And remember that when closed/down, create a very large, flat (potentially boring) wall space.

Multiple blinds

For particularly wide windows, consider having more than one blind. That way you can still keep out glare and achieve a little privacy without blocking all the light.

Materials

The room the blind is for should also factor into your decision. Most commonly, large windows are found in living and bedroom areas so you won’t be restricted in the materials you can choose from. However, if they’re in the bathroom or kitchen, fabric and wood blinds are not recommended, as there is too much moisture.

Insulating properties

Large windows offer a huge surface for heat to escape through. While blinds can be thermally lined and there are a few tricks to get the best thermal insulation performance from them, they do not offer the same level as curtains. If your home isn’t double-glazed and/or well insulated, consider pairing a curtain over top of your blind in the cooler months.

Cost

No matter what blind options you choose, larger windows require more coverage so the cost will always be more than an average blind.

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Security

Large windows give a great opportunity to peer into your home at all your belongings. When you’re away from the property for long stints, consider how you’ll keep out curious eyes without having your blinds completely down/closed.

Continuous cord loop mechanism

Blinds with a continuous cord loop lift system work well with large windows because you can raise and lower them easily and evenly, there’s none of that annoying business where one side of the blind lowers faster than the other.

Inside or outside mount

If your windows are tall and go right up to the ceiling (or just about) you’ll have to consider if the blinds you choose are suitable to be mounted inside the frame or if the headrail is small enough to fit the very top.

Roman blinds

As they’re made of fabric, Roman blinds offer the most diversity in terms of aesthetics and they bring a much warmer, softer look and feel to a room than blinds made of harder materials. When choosing your fabric, consider a large pattern, smaller, more intricate designs can be displeasing to the eye on such a large scale.

One consideration with Romans is that because they stack at the top of the window when open, there needs to be enough wall in between your window frame and the ceiling to accommodate them. You could consider an inside mount if the window is not too wide, but this will mean blocking the very top of the glass and not allowing in maximum light.

Roller blinds

Rollers offer a tidy, modern look which can be quite desirable with large windows, as the view is the main event, not the window covering. Roller blinds are also easy to operate and you can opt for either an inside or outside mount depending on how tall the windows are.

If your windows are particularly wide, you may want to consider multiple roller blinds. While this does become ever so slightly less convenient when it’s time to pull them up and down, it does offer better options for light control during the day.

Venetian blinds

The slats of Venetians offer excellent privacy, security and light control.

Depending on the material your Venetians are made off, the larger variety can have a bit of weight to them, something to consider when lowering or raising them. For this reason, if your windows are quite wide, consider having multiple blinds on the one headrail. This will ensure there’s no bowing of the slats and make each a little easier to manage. It also offers much more control over light coming in.

Vertical blinds

Vertical blinds are an excellent option for large windows as they can be tailored to really large dimensions. They’re super functional, convenient, lightweight and easy to clean, offer a sleek and modern look, and are very unobtrusive when open. A consideration to make with verticals is whether you will have the vanes stacked to one side or opening from the middle and stacking evenly either side of the window when open.

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Shutters

Shutters are increasing in popularity and because of their very sturdy construction make a great option for large windows. They’re highly customisable with the ability to choose from a wide range of different panel folds to accommodate larger expanses.

Honeycomb blinds

The benefit of a hon large windows is it’s so lightweight; there won’t be any bowing of the headrail or slats like other options. They also look good and are very functional.

We hope you’ve found this information helpful. If you need more info about choosing the right blinds for your home, you’ll find everything you need to know in our helpful guide. Download your free copy now.


Everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home

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