We do not generally recommend this except for small areas (less than 2 sq.m) such as Velux windows. For larger windows or where access is difficult we consider that the risk of high maintenance cost if the material is caught or rolls over could result in an unsatisfactory installation however well made and fitted. Our recommendation is non-retractable blinds. The only exception is in photographic studios where striping from light penetration around the louvres would affect the photography. That is the only situation that we would propose larger rooflight roller blinds.

Special shaped windows can be a design feature lending new dimension to both aesthetics and character. The design of windows to be anything other than the conventional rectangular box can totally transform a building.

The problem of shading without losing the architectural integrity also applies to traditional designs of arched or circular windows as well as more modern shapes.

Techform blind headrails are shaped to the window and are retractable where the shape allows. The designs will fit arches, arched tops, circles, triangles, angled top, inverted angles, trapezoids and virtually any other shape.

For larger glazed areas or sloping glazing Techtonic non-retractable blinds are described in a separate data sheet.

Timber slatted blinds are an enduring window treatment that bring warmth and natural beauty into your home.

Hallmark wood blinds share the attractive and lasting properties of furniture pieces and deserve to be chosen with equal care and consideration. Traditional colours such as Mahogany or Cherrywood match to existing finishes to give a richly furnished look, or choose a pastel shade to create a contemporary bright atmosphere.

Lumax the light shelf blind has been designed to maximise all available natural light. On the one hand Lumax blinds ensure zones that are sun and glare free but on the other hand they let in enough brightness. Screening to protect VDU screens can significantly reduce light levels to a dim and depressing level. No sunlight in a room can lead to lethargy and tiredness.

Lumax works by reflecting daylight through its top louvres onto the ceiling whilst the remaining louvres stay closed. This diffuses the light and eliminates glare. The blind can still be raised and closed like a standard blind yet natural light levels are up to 3 times greater.

Mini and micro blinds regulate light incidence and room temperature in the most modern and practical way possible as well as safeguarding privacy. With the widest possible range of control options and applications they are practical and easy to operate with a cord or wand.

Choose from an extensive range of solid colours as well as metallic and patterned effects that make a stunning sharp statement or use more subtle colours to co-ordinate with the furnishings.

A neat option for UPVC windows is a framed system Perfect Fit. The frame is secured with clips that fit between the window frame and glass and avoid the need for any drilling or fixing into the window.

With just one push of a button you can operate your blinds individually or in unison. Electric operation is the most efficient means of controlling blinds especially if they are at high level or there are several in the room.

They can even think for themselves reacting to the changing weather conditions automatically with our range of controls.

As there are no looped cords motorised blinds are ideal for children's rooms.

The motors that control both the tilt and the raise /lower, are neatly concealed within the headrail. Available with our full colour range of aluminium louvres from 25mm mini to 80mm mega and woodslat in 25 and 50mm widths.

The standard blinds that have a cord to raise and lower the blind and a separate tilt wand or cord control to adjust the louvre angle.

The Classic blind is the most robust of our horizontal range and is a reliable contract blind. Its traditional design has conventional cord operation. It is ideally suited to commercial areas where heavier use can be expected.

Classic dual has separate controls for tilt and raise/lower and is made to a standard of quality and design that has proven reliability over many decades. The large section steel headrail has durable components with metal bearing surfaces - this ensures that Classic dual is suitable for specification in any situation.

Three widths of aluminium slat are available, 25, 35 and 50mm with wood slat available in 25 and 50mm widths. A comprehensive range of ladderbraids and support tapes make traditional or contemporary effects achievable. By using 40mm wide laddertaping on wood blinds the “period” look of the 30’s and 40's can be recreated. Similarly the late 40’s and 50's for aluminium blinds

Have a dual function – dim-out conditions for audio visual demonstrations with the benefits of a conventional sunblind between presentations.

A guide section around the blind masks direct light from around the edge of the slats. The guides have PVC inserts for noise reduction and a neoprene strip is fitted behind them to seal irregularities in the wall surface. Between presentations light levels in the room can be adjusted by tilting the louvres.

Ideally suited to larger windows and areas where heavy use can be expected such as schools and open plan offices.

There are two types of operation, endless cord and rod. They both drive through a heavy duty gearbox that ensures a smooth, light and easy operation of large blinds.

Techform speciality shaped blinds have 25mm louvres and conventional aluminium venetian blind headrails.

Special shaped windows can be a design feature lending new dimension to both aesthetics and character. The design of windows to be anything other than the conventional rectangular box can totally transform a building.

The problem of shading without losing the architectural integrity also applies to traditional designs of arched or circular windows as well as more modern shapes.

Techform blind headrails are shaped to the window and are retractable where the shape allows. The designs will fit arches, arched tops, circles, triangles, angled top, inverted angles, trapezoids and virtually any other shape.

For larger glazed areas or sloping glazing Techtonic non-retractable blinds are described in a separate information sheet

Roller XXL is a heavy duty roller blind system fabricated from material and fabrics designed for external use and whilst normally applied internally it can be used both inside and outside with size limitations

Operation is normally motorised but it can be manually controlled with a gearbox and winding handle.

It is very effective in Double Skin Facades where the inner core is exposed to the elements for natural ventilation. The solar gain rejection properties between the facade are almst comparable to an external shade with Gtot figures better than 0.15 (85% heat rejection) for many of the fabric styles and colours.

The blind can be positioned to any height by pulling it down and gently releasing and it will lock in place. The ratchets are released by a gentle pull on the cord and the blind is raised by the spring. Rollers are now made of aluminium although wood rollers are still available.

For UPVC window a neat system that does not require screw fixing that could damage the frames is Perfect Fit.

Spring roller blinds do not have looped cords and are suitable for areas such as bedrooms and nurseries and other places frequented by young children provided the cord pull length is not longer than 200mm. For high windows longer cords are only possible in commercial buildings where young children do not normally have access.

With just one push of a button you can operate your blinds individually or in unison. Electric operation is the most efficient means of controlling blinds especially if they are at high level or there are several in the room.

They can even think for themselves reacting to the changing weather conditions automatically with our range of controls.

The motors are neatly concealed within the roller and are mains voltage although smaller windows can be low voltage.

Motorised blinds do not have any operating cords and are ideal for areas used by young children

To conceal the fittings and roller an aluminium box is the perfect solution. In white powder coated paint the clean lines of the cassette is the finishing touch that is especially suited to motorised blinds.

Cassette blinds with a rod or motorised operation are ideal for areas such as bedrooms and nurseries used by young children. Ball chain operation can only be supplied without safety devices and installation limitations in commercial buildings that are not frequented by young children.

The only solution for manual operation on larger windows. As they do not have operating cords they are also ideal for areas that are used by young children.

The most robust option for manual blinds they are idealy suited to schools, hospitals and other areas of heavier use. A gearbox is fitted to the bracket at one end of the roller and cranked rod connects to the gearbox drive to wind the blind up and down.

In public areas the rod can be detachable to prevent unauthorised use.

Suitable for doors where there is no space for the roller brackets. It is ideal for use to dim-out on door vision panels where a blackout blind could not be fitted.

The blind does not have a mechanism and is securely fitted to the door so is less prone to damage. A timber lath in the top of the fabric is fixed to the door. A fabric tab with a turn button plate is fixed to the back of the lath. On the door below the glass there is a stud. The bottom rail of the blind has a tab and lift a dot that fits the stud and holds the blind in position when lowered. The blind is raised by hand rolling it and securing by drawing the tab around the roll and holding in position with the turn button that is fitted on or above the lath.

Simple and basic but it is robust and works. It is suited to areas used by young children as it does not have operating cords.

The ebony dark blind has been designed to give maximum light exclusion when lowered. When raised the slim guides give a very neat appearance and permit the maximum entry of light into the room. The blind box is robustly constructed from extruded aluminium sections white powder coated to give a high quality finish and protection. The PVC coated fibreglass fabric is 100% blackout and flame retardant. The characteristics of the Ebony make it a popular choice for lecture theatres, schools and hospitals.

Operation is with an electric motor that is concealed in the box or manually with a cranked rod.

Suitable for use in areas used by young children as they do not have operating cords.

Hallmark Insect Screens are made from aluminium frames into which is fitted grey pvc coated fibreglass mesh fabric.

The basic screen is a fixed frame that is permanently in position although it can be unclipped for cleaning. Sliding type screens open in the same way as secondary glazing and roller type operate like a small blackout blind with a top box and slim side channels.

The fabric is arranged in up to 4 panels that draw on a curtain type track. The panels are often of a mesh fabric to allow outward vision. They are weighted with an aluminium bottom rail and are hand drawn with a pull rod so are suited to areas used by young children.

Our standard range can be viewed at our suppliers website www.louvolite.com samples are available from our sales office.

A fabric blind with 25mm folds that is pulled up with a concertina effect. Most suited to domestic applications it is fitted to a headrail and is cord operated with a cord lock to hold the blind up.

Pleated blinds are a lightweight domestics product that as we do not consider it to be suited to commercial applications is not included in our range. A list of suppliers in your area is available from our trade association www.bbsa.org.uk