What are the best blinds for large windows?

Large windows are a fantastic feature in a property, letting in natural light and letting you see the fantastic views outside. While it’s a good problem to have, a large window can cause you a few headaches when it comes to finding the perfect blinds for them.

It’s not as easy as simply buying traditional blinds in a larger size. Bigger windows need special consideration when choosing which blinds will work best.

Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind when finding the right blind for your large windows.

Types of windows

There are a few different types of windows and doors that require specialist blind fitting, including:

• Bay windows – the shape of the traditional window can make finding a neat fitting blind tricky. Often people use individual Venetian blinds or roller blinds on each section. We find that vertical blinds work well, especially if we supply a curved tracked that matches the shape of the window. It should be remembered, that bay windows are usually found at the front of a house, so you’ll need to keep privacy in mind too.
• Floor to ceiling windows – large floor to ceiling windows need blinds that look stylish without overpowering the space and without blocking out too much light. Vertical blinds are again popular with very long window drops as they give a lot of flexibility over light control.
• Conservatories – the sheer amount of glass in a conservatory can make the blinds you choose feel overwhelming in the space. Look for conservatory blinds that will keep your conservatory warm in winter and cool in summer.
• Bi-fold doors – are a great way to enjoy European-style outdoor living when the weather heats up. Any blinds you choose have to allow access and to open and close the doors. Single pleated blinds are ideal for this use and can be fitted on each panel individually.
• French doors – usually in a kitchen or dining room, French doors need to be versatile and easy to clean. Vertical blinds will allow access through the doors and provide some thermal insulation during colder weather.

What to consider when choosing blinds for large windows

How much privacy?

One of the great ways things about big windows is the uninterrupted views of the outside world they give you. Of course, that also means that the world can see into your home too.

Blinds give you the chance to claim back your privacy but you need to consider the balance you want between your views, light and privacy.

Weight, don’t get weighed down

Covering a large window will take a lot more material than is usually used. In addition to this being costly, in certain types of blind, it also creates a weight issue.

After all, a lot more blind means a lot more weight, especially with their accompanying mechanisms. This added weight can put extra pressure on fixtures and fittings.

Even traditional materials such as wood or certain types of plastic can become too heavy to cover a large window. However, blinds with heavy fabric and fuller styles, such as Roman blinds, are the most likely to cause issues on a big window.

Lighter weight options large windows include vertical blinds, roller blinds and aluminium Venetian blinds.

Control of light levels

You want to be able to enjoy all of that beautiful natural light that floods in through your windows, but you want the ability to control it too.

Rather than an all or nothing option of a full blind, opt for vertical blinds or Venetian blinds with slats that can be rotated in order to control the amount of light you let in. If your windows are in a hallway or lounge then light control might not be as much of an issue as it would be in a bedroom.

Thermal control

In most homes, heat is lost through the windows, contributing to higher energy bills and making your home feel colder. This is especially true of homes with large windows.

During the cold winter months, a lot of heat is lost through the windows, and then in the summer, those same windows act like a greenhouse, concentrating the heat. In order to combat this, choose blinds with thermal control. These blinds are honeycomb shape that has air pockets to allow greater thermal control.

Free movement of windows and doors

If you’re choosing blinds to cover French doors or sliding windows, you want to make sure that the blinds you choose do not interfere with the movement of the doors. To avoid this you can choose…

• Vertical blinds that allow you to easily open then to allow access to the door
• Individual blinds that are fixed above each section of the window. By using these individual blinds, you can operate the windows even when blinds are drawn.
• Blinds fitted to the doors. Use an expert fitter to ensure a good fit and that any mechanisms will not interfere with the door itself.

Motorisation, at the touch of a button

If you have a lot of large windows in your home, or some of them are in difficult to reach areas, then opening and closing your blinds can be a chore or difficult.

In this case, motorised blinds could be what you’re looking for.

In addition to being so easy to use, motorised blinds have some great security advantages too. The motorised units for example, can be scheduled to open and close at regular intervals, giving the impression that you’re at home when you away on holiday or out of the house.

Depending on which system you choose, the blinds can run on battery power, mains electricity or hardwired into your electrical system. Some can even be controlled via an app on your mobile phone.

This might be something that appeals to you if you are moving towards a ‘smart home’ where many of your appliances, heating and security systems are controlled automatically.

They have got to have style

When you have large windows, your blinds and curtains can become even more of a focal point than on normal sized windows. Especially when closed, they will be taking up the view of a lot of the space in your room.

So, no pressure, but with large window coverings you really need to find a style, design, look and feel, that you love and are going to be happy with.

Our recommendation is you take the time to find the right style for you, don’t rush it or just choose the first one you see.

Make sure you see samples of the blinds in the space the final blinds are going to be placed to make sure the practicalities and colours work as you imagine.

Get the opinions of friends and family and talk to an expert blind fitter – they are experts and can advise on things you may not have see or considered.

Talk to an expert

If you are still unsure, then it is really worth talking to a blinds and shutters expert like the team at Westminster Blinds.

We fit blinds and shutters across the East of England and have come across every type of room and window that you could imagine! That means we can talk you through the options, show you samples, show you images of similar installations and, of course, take all those measurements.

Free advice and a free no obligation quote… so nothing to lose.