Frequently Asked Questions
Motorising roller blinds is achieved by mounting the motor to the control side support bracket and into the control end of the blind top tube. The bracket end of the blind remains stationary while the main body of the motor is smaller than the inside diameter of the top tube and is fitted inside the tube without being engaged with the tube. The other end of the motor is fitted with a drive wheel that is engaged with the inside of the tube and rotates when required to raise and lower the blind.
Motorised blinds are powered by either mains electricity or by batteries contained either inside the motor or housed in an external battery pack.
From our experience in installing 1000s of motorised roller blinds, our advice is this:
- Unless you simply can’t get power to the blind location, ALWAYS look at hard wired blinds as your first option.
- Only use battery motors where hard wired motors are completely impractical.
- If you’re building a new home, run the wires now.
Why?
- Charging blinds is a really silly idea. Who wants more devices that need charging? Seriously no one does.
- You need more of them when doing larger installs (10 or more blinds) because they don’t have the same power to drive linked side by side blinds.
- Battery motors are a throw away item and a ‘time bomb’ that will require replacement at some point in the not too distant future. This may be fine if you’re selling the home… But if you plan on staying put then factor in around $300 per blind to remove, replace and re-program the new motors around 3 years from the date of install.
- Hardwired, mains powered blind motors have a long service history, are a reliable item that lasts in most cases 10 years or more and are a simpler machine than battery powered motors. Because of this they give much less trouble.
This depends on the home and the level of difficulty in getting the wiring through cavities and wall spaces. We advise to allow around $150 per location, which in some cases can run 2 blinds.
If you’re doing a new build or extensive renovations, t’s a good idea to plan for motorised blinds and get the wires run before plastering to save costs later on.
Alpha remote programming instructions can be found with this link: https://blindmotion.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Programming-sequences-universal-motors-_3_.pdf
3000mm is as wide as you should consider going with an internal roller blind.
‘Front roll’ or ‘Reverse roll’ is where the blind fabric rolls off the tube at the front, like water flowing off the top of a water fall.
‘Back roll’ or ‘Normal roll’ is where the blind fabric rolls off the back of the blind tube.
Front roll is generally chosen when a blind is fitted inside the window reveal.
Back roll is generally used when a blind is fitted to the face of a window with overlap over the frame. This gets the fabric closest to the window to maximise blockout.
Our system automatically calculates the chain based on the following logic:
0.75 X drop = chain length.
Chains are made in lengths starting at 500mm and going up in 250mm increments. A blind with a drop of 2500 would get a chain of 1750mm.
Roller blind fabric comes in 3 types:
- Light filter, sometimes also know as ‘translucent’: This is fabric that is woven and not coated. This allows light to pass through. Light filter fabric is usually not see through.
- Blockout: this is fabric that starts as light filter then is treated with a blockout coating after it is woven. As the name suggests, no light can pass through it.
- Sunscreen: This is a woven mesh of polyester or fibreglass that is then coated with coloured PVC. Sunscreens allow a view to the outside during the day, however they also allow a view in from the outside at night time, so they are often paired with a blockout blind, creating a ‘day night’ double blind.
Motorising roller blinds is achieved by mounting the motor to the control side support bracket and into the control end of the blind top tube. The bracket end of the blind remains stationary while the main body of the motor is smaller than the inside diameter of the top tube and is fitted inside the tube without being engaged with the tube. The other end of the motor is fitted with a drive wheel that is engaged with the inside of the tube and rotates when required to raise and lower the blind.
Motorised blinds are powered by either mains electricity or by batteries contained either inside the motor or housed in an external battery pack.
From our experience in installing 1000s of motorised roller blinds, our advice is this:
- Unless you simply can’t get power to the blind location, ALWAYS look at hard wired blinds as your first option.
- Only use battery motors where hard wired motors are completely impractical.
- If you’re building a new home, run the wires now.
Why?
- Charging blinds is a really silly idea. Who wants more devices that need charging? Seriously no one does.
- You need more of them when doing larger installs (10 or more blinds) because they don’t have the same power to drive linked side by side blinds.
- Battery motors are a throw away item and a ‘time bomb’ that will require replacement at some point in the not too distant future. This may be fine if you’re selling the home… But if you plan on staying put then factor in around $300 per blind to remove, replace and re-program the new motors around 3 years from the date of install.
- Hardwired, mains powered blind motors have a long service history, are a reliable item that lasts in most cases 10 years or more and are a simpler machine than battery powered motors. Because of this they give much less trouble.
This depends on the home and the level of difficulty in getting the wiring through cavities and wall spaces. We advise to allow around $150 per location, which in some cases can run 2 blinds.
If you’re doing a new build or extensive renovations, t’s a good idea to plan for motorised blinds and get the wires run before plastering to save costs later on.
Alpha remote programming instructions can be found with this link: https://blindmotion.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Programming-sequences-universal-motors-_3_.pdf
Despite being a long established window covering, curtains are unlikely to ever go out of style.
Why?
- Curtain fabric is always available in new, up to date colours, so finding current fabric is always possible.
- There are literally 1000s of different curtain fabrics to choose from, so there’s always something to match your interior.
- Curtains are incredibly useful in controlling light, providing privacy and insulation.
- Curtains are simple yet elegant; fabric, thread and tracks combine to create a magnificent thing of beauty that will always look appealing.
Definitely. Curtains reduce echoing from the inside while softening noise from the outside.
We have a range of acoustic fabric designed to maximise noise reduction.
Acoustic curtains use fabric with a significant ‘noise reduction coefficient’, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_reduction_coefficient#:~:text=The%20noise%20reduction%20coefficient%20(commonly,but%20rather%20reflects%20sound%20energy.
Consult the care label – in many cases curtains can be washed in the washing machine.
S-Wave curtains lack the gathering, bunching or pleats across the top that conventional curtains have. The top of the curtain is attached to wave tape that the hooks attach to. The track has carriers attached to cord that ensures even spacing; when closed, the heading of the curtain forms an ‘S’ pattern along the top which is continued to the bottom, creating a wave effect through the curtain.The curtains stack back neatly, and it’s a look that suits both contemporary and traditional interiors.
Plantation shutters are not considered a blockout product. This is because the design of the blades allows light to pass through gaps even when closed. Plantation shutters certainly make a room dark, however if used in bedrooms, we recommend using plantation shutters with a blockout product such as a roller blind or a curtain.
Generally yes. There are many frame styles and options to clear handles and to fit around tricky window frames. Shutters can also be made to fit the shape of round or other not so square windows. If you have something out of the ordinary, we can certainly take a look and see what is possible.
Yes absolutely. The best option for sliding doors are sliding plantation shutters. Sliding shutters have the panels mounted on runners that are either support the weight of the shutter at the top or bottom. They’re usually configured to match the doors they are fitted over in terms of the number of panels and the sliding options.
The answer is yes but it depends…
Not all architectural styles are suited to plantation shutters (although most are) so if there’s any doubt, it’s best to get interior design advice.
When matched to a home’s interior, shutters look beautiful and are practical, so they certainly add more value than they cost.
For standard windows, yes. Bay windows and sliding shutters are more difficult; for these we recommend our Installation Service.
There are 2 types of fabric used in outdoor blinds, mesh or PVC.
Mesh fabric is woven polyester or fibreglass with a coating of coloured PVC. It is similar to internal sunscreen fabric but is thicker and more robust for outside use. It comes in a variety of ‘openness’, which is the amount of light that it will allow to pass. The openness ranges from 95% to close to 100%. Mesh fabric is used in around 95% of domestic outdoor blinds.
PVC or ‘clear’, is often used in straight drop blinds used in commercial settings like cafes. It allows plenty of light but no air to pass through so it’s great for heated outdoor areas. It is not highly practical for residential homes because during summer, it tends to create a greenhouse effect.
To experience the fabric yourself, click this link to get your free samples.
For straight drop blinds, up to 6000mm wide with a drop of 3000mm is possible at reasonable cost and using a motor to drive the blind.
Over 6000mm to 7000mm wide is possible, however the expense is usually 50% more than a blind less than 6000mm wide.
For zip and channel blinds with a headbox, we make blinds up to 5800mm wide.
No, outdoor blinds should be raised when not in use to eliminate damage from gusty winds.
The mesh fabric used in outdoor blinds is not water proof but it is very water resistant.
With rain that is not being driven by wind, you’ll stay almost completely dry with an outdoor mesh blind.
- Straight drop, which is like a big indoor blind but with heavy duty parts. They have clips at the bottom to stop them flapping in the breeze. Straight drops can usually only be used safely all the way or all the way down.
- Wire guide, which are like a straight drop but have 2 wires each side that are attached to the bottom bar to prevent the blind from moving in the wind. Wire guides can be stopped at any part of their up and down travel because the wires are they to prevent excessive movement.
- Zip guided, which have a zip welded to the edge to prevent the blind from moving in the wind. Zip guided blinds can also seal of an area to insects.
Which blind is right for you depends on your budget and area. Get in touch with us to discuss what could work for you.
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