Slimline Vertical Blind System

General Application

Millions of these decorative, yet extremely practical vertical blinds, have been made by approved manufacturers around the world. They provide an easily fitted and efficient method of light control. A very wide range of attractive fabrics, many of them flame retardent, make these blinds a sensible choice for projects large and small.

Special Features

Fixing Brackets
A wide selection of brackets with varying projections to suit every installation.

Headrail
A slim, elegant headrail with fluted or plain finish in white or brown. Alternatively slotted to accept a louvre fabric insert.

Mechanism
The louvre carriers have self aligning gears which turn the louvres through a full 180° to ensure a good closure.

Colour Co-ordination
All normally visible components including brackets, headrails, end cap sets and carrier trucks are available in matching white, or brown finishes.

Louvres

Specifically woven for vertical blinds, are available in 89mm or 127mm as standard.
Flame resistant fabrics may comply with some or all of the following standards.
FR17
DIN 4102 B1 & DIN 4102 B2
BS5867 1980 Part2 Type B
BS476 Part 6 Class 0
BS476 Part 7 Class 1
AFNOR 92-503(M1,M2,M3)
ONORM B 3820 B1
ONORM B 3800 B1 Tr1 & Q1
Can/VLC-5-109-M87
NFPA 701 Small
NFPA 701 Large
N.B. Fabrics may also comply with other standards. Information on request.

Tracks

The slim, elegant headrail, which can be ribbed or plain, is 29.25mm wide and 27.75mm deep. Tracks are supplied up to 5 metres wide. The materials of construction are aluminium, stainless steel and specifically developed plastics. The gears which rotate the louvres can be self-aligning or fixed. Self-aligning gears have limit stops which restrict louvre rotation to 185°. This permits good closure without strain on the mechanism . Standard spacing, by stainless steel link, is for 127mm or 89mm louvres. Other spacings can be supplied if required. The louvres on a blind can be arranged to part in the middle (split bunch) or to bunch at one side (one way bunch). They can also be made to bunch in the centre of the blind (centre bunch). Blinds can be made with the tops or the bottoms pitched at an angle to the horizontal or the bottom can be shaped to fit around obstructions such as radiators.

Stacking

When blinds are not in use the louvres can be stacked to one or both sides of the blind. For one way draw blinds with 127mm louvres the minimum stacking distance is 190mm for the first metre width of blind and 115mm for each subsequent metre. The respective figures for 89mm blinds are 255mm and 175mm. The stacking distances required each side for split draw 127mm blinds are 135mm for the first metre width of blinds plus these 55mm for each additional metre. For 89mm blinds these figures are 145mm and 90mm respectively.

Louvres

All the fabrics have been designed specifically for vertical louvre blinds. Rigorous quality controls are applied throughout their manufacture starting with the yarn and ending with the final inspection of the slit cloth.
Their satisfactory use in the harshest of conditions found in all five continents is a measure of their performance.
A very important factor in today's safety conscious market is flame retardancy. Certificates of compliance with most of the standards in current use have been issued for many of the fabrics. Details of the standards which apply to each material are available on request.
Another important factor in the choice of fabrics for modern buildings with large areas of glass is that of solar gain. Some of the fabrics in the range have a reflectance of 70% or more. At the other end of the scale completely opaque fabrics with zero light transmittance are also available. Again figures for each fabric are available on request.

Fixing

The vertical blinds are supplied with fixing brackets as standard. The wide range of brackets includes face, top and side fixing versions. There are four sizes of face fixing brackets, two of them adjustable. The longest holds the centre of the blind 180mm from the mounting surface. Face fixing brackets can also be used as top fix brackets. The normal top fixing brackets are very neat and do not spoil the appearance of the blind. Side fixing brackets are useful where it is not easy to face or top fix.
N.B. Drilling fixing holes in the track is not recommended. This practice interferes with the smooth operation of the blind and can eventually lead to permanent damage.

Maintenance

Tracks are uncomplicated and robust. The components are made in aluminium, plastic and stainless steel. They do not present any corrosion problems in normal environments. The methods of construction minimise damage caused by operator mis-use. Any damage which does occur can normally be rectified easily on site.
The fabrics are designed specifically for vertical and roller blinds. Long-term mechanical and dimensional stability, colour fastness and ease of cleaning are considered to be of equal importance to appearance and economy.