Roller Blinds or Venetian Blinds?

[smudge]

I know it's personal preference, but I can't stand nets & would like to replace them with either roller or venetian blinds(in front of my heavy curtains). We have roller blinds at the back of the house 'cos of the sun (what sun I hear you say) & they look good, but what do you think for the front of the house. (1x8ft wide upstairs & 1x10ft lounge bay).?

[Robinia]

I know what you mean smudge,'cos I've got the same dilemma & almost identical windows. I've got to replace my nets with something 'cos it's a fairly busy street that I live on & also a bus route. I did leave the upstairs nets down when I last washed them, walked into my bedroom stark naked & at that moment a double decker bus went by. Not sure who screamed the loudest, me or them. Not being much help am I but if, like me, it's privacy you need I think perhaps venetian are best or vertical blinds maybe.I don't want to shut out the light too much,I just need to lessen the golfish bowl effect.

[smudge]

You sound just like me! We live on quite a busy road with buses & people from the local college going by, nosing in! I've also been caught out a few times getting undressed then realising 'I'm not on my own'. My husband hates it 'cos the nets have been down for weeks & he says it's just like living in a goldfish bowl! I have actually bought roller blinds for the front, but before I cut them to size, thought I'd ask for other peoples opinions. Vertical blinds remind me of work as we had them in our offices. Perhaps venetian blinds will be best after all as I can peep behind them to see who's walking up the drive. Thank you for your help.

[BenDToy]

As far as venetian blinds go now there are many different styles. We have wooden slats on ours and they are very warm and textured. I would heartily recommend them over rollers because you don't block out everything at once. That said there are some very clever fabrics for rollers which can allow light in but not out. They are quite expensive though.

[smudge]

Thanks for that BenDtoy. The thought of not being able to see out when the roller blinds are down worries me, as we like to keep an eye on our cars in the drive at night & would have to keep rolling them up which is not a good idea! We'll stick to wooden venetian & have the best of both world. It was just the cleaning side of it I was concerned about, as we live on a sometimes busy road!

[smudge]

P.S. Also BenDtoy, where did you buy your venetian blinds?

[Hellion]

Same problem too Smudge. We've just put venetian blinds on all our front windows. House looks very neat from outside (better than nets definitely)Added advantage is you can just 'twist' the slats closed if you want to go and change clothes, also can set them so you can see out but its quite hard to see in. They are less gloomy than nets too. I agree about verticals they look as homey as an insurance office.

[smudge]

Thanks Hellion, that's what we'll go for now. We've just been for a long Sunday afternoon drive & I've been nosing at all the windows! The ones with venetian blinds do look very neat & classy. Where did you buy your ones I wonder?

[BenDToy]

Sorry about the delay! I got mine from a specialist interiors shop (in Cheshire if that is any help! ask me for more details if it is.)- no more expensive than anyone else, and they fitted them for a few pounds extra! Able to choose from a wide selection of samples & manufacturers, and got good sound advice. John Lewis also have a good range. Only thing I would be concerned about is the size. Large venetians are very heavy, and there is a limit to the width you can have. Check around because this varies with manufacturer.

[BenDToy]

Another suggestion. The type which have a pull cord for adjusting the angle are much better than the ones which have a rod which you turn. We have both, and the cords are so much easier.

[smudge]

Thank you for getting back to me. I've been having a phone round & the 8ft wide window is the problem, as you have to have 2x4ft in ready made, otherwise made up, which is twice the price, which we'll prob go for. At least I now know to go for the pull corded ones, thanks to you. I shall try John Lewis tomorrow as they're closed on Mondays. Cheers!