What Are the Different Types of Roller Blinds?

With so many types of roller blinds available, it can feel like a bit of a minefield trying to decide which one is best for your home. Roller blinds are a popular feature in modern homes, and for good reason. They’re not just practical, they offer aesthetic appeal with their sleek and neat appearance, plus, they’re easy to operate. Their growing popularity means they now come in a wide range of styles to suit every taste.

That’s why we’ve put together this handy roller blind guide to walk you through the different types of roller blinds and explain what each one is best suited for, to help you confidently choose the most suitable fit for each room in your house.

Standard Roller Blinds

When looking at the different types of roller blinds, this type of blind the ‘T-shirt’ of roller blinds; they’re functional, affordable and work just about anywhere!
Standard roller blinds are made from a single layer of fabric that rolls up neatly at the top of your window. These are typically hung so that the fabric rolls down from the back of the tube, or in the ‘under position’, rather than in front (the opposite way to how most people hang their toilet roll on the holder!)

This blind type is most homeowner’s go-to choice due to their affordability. They come in a range of colours and patterns to match your space and have a chain or cord at the side to roll the fabric up or down – pretty straightforward!

Blackout Roller Blinds

Mostly found in bedrooms, these blinds do exactly what it says on the tin; they blackout 100% of unwanted light. This makes them perfect for the likes of shift-workers who need to grab some much needed shut-eye during the day and for parents of little ones who are trying to develop their circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock that tells us to sleep when it’s dark).

Blackout blinds also help to regulate room temperature and add a layer of privacy, making them one of the most versatile choices.

Sunscreen (Solar) Roller Blinds

In a similar vein to blackout blinds, sunscreen roller blinds are designed to help reduce the amount of light that enters through your windows. But rather than blocking the light completely, sunscreen blinds’ main function is to reduce that harsh glare and block harmful UV rays that can actually damage furniture. They’re made from a mesh-like material that still allows you to enjoy the view outside of your window whilst filtering out unwanted rays. This makes them a good choice for kitchens in particular.

Zebra (Day & Night) Blinds

The name of these particular blinds comes from their striped appearance; they’re made up of fabric bands that look like zebra stripes when they’re partially open. The horizontal stripes are made from alternating sheer and solid fabric, which allows you to easily switch between diffused, soft light and complete privacy.
These are a great choice for living rooms, offices, or any room where flexible light control is key.

Double Roller Blinds

This clever design of blind essentially gives you two for the price of one! Double roller blinds are made up of two different blinds on a single bracket, usually a combination of sunscreen and blackout fabrics. This gives you the flexibility to enjoy natural light during the day and complete darkness at night. Their multi-purpose advantage makes them a good choice for living rooms and bedrooms where different levels of light and privacy are preferred at different times of the day.

Cellular (Honeycomb) Roller Blinds

When considering the different types of roller blinds, these blinds offer superior insulation, making them a solid choice for energy conscious home-owners. Their primary function is to trap air inside using their unique layered structure that resembles a honeycomb pattern. They’re especially effective in reducing heat loss during winter and keeping your home cool in summer. As a result, they’re a great solution for homes with drafty windows. They also look good too, so they come with a slightly higher price tag.

Electric Roller Blinds

For ultimate convenience and modern living, consider upgrading to electric roller blinds. With the push of a button, or even the tap of your phone, you can raise or lower your motorised roller blinds without even having to stand. They’re a smart choice for hard-to-reach windows and are mostly installed in bedrooms so that you have the luxury of controlling the amount of light streaming into your room without having to get out of bed. See our full range of electric blinds here.

Best Roller Blinds for Each Room

To wrap up, here’s a quick summary of which blind works best in each room:

• Bedroom: Blackout roller blinds or electric roller blinds for light control and privacy
• Living Room: Standard or zebra blinds for style and flexibility
• Kitchen: Sunscreen blinds for natural light with UV protection
• Bathroom: Moisture-resistant standard or cellular blinds
• Nursery: Blackout blinds for uninterrupted naps
• Home Office: Sunscreen or zebra blinds to reduce screen glare

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide has helped you to make your decision on which types of roller blinds to purchase for your space. At Kirkby Blinds, we offer a curated range of high-quality blinds including standard, blackout, and electric roller blinds to match your lifestyle and decor.

Need help choosing or want some tailored recommendations? Contact our team or visit our showroom for expert advice and product demos.