How to Choose Roller Blinds
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Fabric Types
Roller blinds come in three main fabric categories. Blockout fabrics provide 100% light block and maximum privacy — ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, and media rooms. The fabric is backed with a light-blocking coating that prevents any light penetration when the blind is fully lowered. Sunscreen (solar) fabrics use an open mesh weave that reduces glare and filters UV rays while maintaining your view to the outside. They soften natural light without blocking it entirely, making them popular for living areas and home offices. Light filtering fabrics diffuse incoming light to create a soft, even glow throughout the room. They offer daytime privacy (people outside cannot easily see in during the day) but do not provide nighttime privacy when interior lights are on.
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Double Roller Blinds
A double roller blind combines two fabrics — typically a sunscreen and a blockout — mounted on a single bracket system. During the day, use the sunscreen for views and glare control. At night, lower the blockout for complete light block and privacy. Double rollers eliminate the need for separate window treatments and give you maximum flexibility without cluttering your windows. They are particularly well-suited to living areas, bedrooms, and any room where you want both daytime and nighttime options.
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Control Options
Chain-operated controls are the standard option — a continuous loop chain on one side of the blind raises and lowers the fabric. They are durable, cost-effective, and require no batteries or power. Cordless spring-operated blinds use an internal spring mechanism for smooth, effortless raising and lowering with no chain. These are the safest option for homes with young children. Battery-motorised blinds include a rechargeable or battery-powered motor inside the roller tube, operated by a remote control or smartphone app. They are easy to retrofit and require no electrician. Hardwired motorised blinds are permanently connected to your home's electrical system for seamless, reliable operation — ideal for large blinds or automated smart home setups. Smart home integration is available with most motorised options, with compatibility for Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit allowing voice control and scheduling.
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Room-by-Room Guide
Bedroom: Blockout fabric is strongly recommended for quality sleep. A double roller (sunscreen + blockout) gives you daytime light control alongside full nighttime blackout. Cordless or motorised operation is ideal for ease of use. Living area: Sunscreen or double roller blinds work best — sunscreen maintains your view and reduces glare during the day, while the blockout panel on a double roller provides evening privacy. Kitchen: Light filtering or sunscreen fabrics keep the kitchen bright while reducing glare over benchtops. Avoid heavy blockout in kitchens unless light control is a priority. Bathroom: Choose a moisture-resistant blockout fabric to manage privacy and humidity. Ensure the fabric is rated for wet areas. Home office: Sunscreen fabric is ideal — it reduces screen glare significantly while keeping the room bright and connected to the outdoors. Nursery and children's rooms: Blockout fabric is essential for daytime naps. Cordless spring or motorised operation eliminates cord hazards and is strongly recommended in all children's spaces.
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What to Customise
Chain side: Specify left or right chain position when ordering to suit your room layout and furniture placement. Bottom rail style: Standard aluminium bottom rails are included with most blinds. Fabric-wrapped bottom rails provide a cleaner, more integrated look. Fascia and pelmet: A pelmet or fascia covers the roller tube and brackets for a more finished, built-in appearance. Available in matching fabric or powder-coated aluminium. Fabric direction: Standard roll (fabric falls from the back of the tube) keeps the blind closer to the window. Reverse roll (fabric falls from the front) is used with deep pelmets or when a flatter profile against the glass is preferred.
Questions
- What is the difference between blockout and light filtering?
- Blockout fabric has a special backing that prevents all light from passing through, making the room completely dark when the blind is lowered. Light filtering fabric diffuses light rather than blocking it — the room remains bright but glare is reduced and the fabric creates a soft, even glow. Light filtering does not provide nighttime privacy.
- Do sunscreen blinds provide privacy at night?
- No. Sunscreen (solar) fabrics work on the principle of differential light levels — during the day, the brighter light outside means people cannot see through the mesh into your home. At night, when your interior lights are on, the situation reverses and people outside can see in through a sunscreen blind. For nighttime privacy, you need a light filtering or blockout blind, or a double roller with a blockout panel.
- Is motorisation worth the extra cost?
- For large, heavy, or hard-to-reach blinds, motorisation pays for itself quickly in convenience and longevity (no wear on the fabric from manual pulling). For homes with young children, cordless or motorised options eliminate cord hazards entirely. If you have multiple blinds in the same room, motorisation with a single remote or smart home integration becomes a significant quality-of-life upgrade.
- What is the easiest roller blind fabric to keep clean?
- PVC-coated sunscreen and blockout fabrics are the easiest to maintain — they can be wiped down with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Uncoated light filtering fabrics are more delicate and typically spot-clean only. If easy cleaning is a priority (kitchens, bathrooms, homes with children), choose a coated fabric.
Next guide
Roller Blind Maintenance & Care
soft dry cloth, feather duster or vacuum soft brush, mild detergent, white vinegar