Żalmal offers a broad range of window covering products. Often the offer breadth means a headache for the customer, unsure what window coverings will be best for them. We will try to answer that very question and help choose the most appropriate window product.

When choosing a window covering product, the first question is: what purpose do we want to achieve? There are several options:

1. Protect the room from overheating

2. Cover the window so that neighbors/passers by cannot see inside

3. Decorate the window

4. Protect the window from vandalism

5. Prevent burglary

6. Protect the room from insects

Distinct window covering products fit various purposes best. The budget available is also a significant factor. Best solutions may sometimes be beyond our means.

Let us discuss the selection of solutions best fitting each group of needs.

1. Protect the room from overheating

External window covering products are the most efficient in preventing rooms from overheating. In that regard any external product is superior to even the best internal ones.

Aluminum external roller blinds score the highest. Not only do they keep the room from heating up in the summer, but they also keep the cold from getting inside in the winter.

External roller blinds do have a substantial downside, though - not only do they keep excessive heat or cold out, but also they prevent light from illuminating the room. Once the blinds are closed, the home or office fitted with them is dark. That is why we offer solutions that retain heat but do not completely black out the room as well: Fakro awnings and Reflexol. These are textile external blinds made of a special fabric that can retain a lot of heat while letting a lot of light into the room.

Terrace awnings and balcony awnings are also effective in preventing room overheating. The solution is dedicated to provide shade in terraces and balconies rather than merely covering windows.

External venetian blinds constitute another external for of sunshade used to prevent room overheating.

Internal window coverings also protect against overheating (though to a lesser extent than exterior covers):

• roller blinds

• aluminum blinds and wooden blinds

• pleated blinds

• curtains

• vertical blinds (to a limited extent)

The aluminum blinds are the most effective in reflecting sunlight out of all window products listed. Roller blinds, pleated blinds and vertical blinds include variants made of fabric coated with a silver layer reflecting heat somewhat better than their uncoated counterparts. Still, none of these is more effective in preventing overheating than external products.

2. Cover the window so that neighbors/passers by cannot see inside

If this is the only purpose of installing window coverings, there is no point in installing exterior blinds.

Fairly simple interior cover solutions will be just as effective in that case. For ground floor windows we recommend pleated blinds that are able to cover the lower portion of the window, most crucial in this case, while leaving the upper portion uncovered. The only thing to be careful about is the choice of fabric, as some options do not provide sufficient privacy after dark with lights on. This may be the case with perforated aluminum blinds or very translucent roller blind fabric.

3. Decorate the window

Many people rightly consider window coverings to constitute a decorative element within a house, an apartment or an office. Elegant roman blinds, draperies or curtains can make a variety of rooms shine.

Interesting fabric designs in products such as pleated blinds or fabric roller blinds can also change the way a room looks.

Timber lovers will appreciate wood blinds, bamboo blinds and timber-like aluminum blinds. A wide selection of woodgrain cassettes and profiles will coordinate well with wooden window frames or room decor.

Every room is different, and every tenant has different tastes. It is hard to unequivocally recommend a single window product for those looking for window decoration. Żalmal offers a very broad range of options, though, therefore we are convinced everyone will be able to find a solution they like.

4. Protect the window from vandalism

That is what we recommend aluminum external blinds for. Not only do they protect from excessive heat or cold, but they are also an obstacle to a flying stone or other acts of vandalism. They will not prevent burglaries, in particular those carried out by professionals.

5. Prevent burglary

If we want to prevent burglary, the best option is to choose security shutters with certified anti-burglary properties. These include an electrical motor and special resistant materials comprising the guide rails, upper cassette and slats to create a highly resistant shield to any potential wrongdoers.

6. Protect the room from insects

Żalmal has a great track record in producing insect screens, too. Starting out with the simplest fixed frame insect screens, through rolling insect screens and door pane insect screens and to the newest addition to the family, pleated insect screens.

Selection of the right insect screen product depends on whether the window it is mounted on is to serve as a doorway, too. If it is not, the cheapest fixed frame insect shields are going to be good enough.

If the doorway is to remain passable, though, the next question relates to space available adjacent to the door or window as well as on the terrace/balcony. If enough space is available next to the window, hinge mounted door insect shields can be recommended. In case of some balcony windows, sliding insect shields can be installed if enough space is available to fully slide the shield pane sideways. If space is the biggest constraint, pleated insect shields come to the rescue. These are the newest addition to the insect shield product family.

Most insect shield types can be reinforced with an optional galvanized steel mesh, an effective protection against rodents, and at the same time a safety feature for cats, dogs and other pets that can destroy a regular mosquito net with their paws. With these solutions, pet owners can once again enjoy fresh air without worrying about their pets’ safety.

 

Window coverings are, quite surprisingly, a very complex topic. Varied customers’ needs and the plethora of products available on the market may at times cause confusion and difficulty in choosing the best option. We hope the material presented herein provided at least some help in choosing the right window covering product. If you still need help selecting a product, feel free to contact our staff, who will be happy to assist you in choosing the right window covering product. CONTACT US