5 Important Characteristics of a Quality Roller Blinds.

1. Durable Materials

The foundation of any quality roller blind is the material it’s made from. High-quality roller blinds use quality components and durable fabrics that are resistant to fading, wear, and tear. When looking to purchase roller blinds break down the roller blind into the following components,

- The Roller Blind Tube Material. We highly recommend a good quality aluminium tube with a minimum 40mm to 50mm diameter for a roller blind up to 3000mm width by 2800mm drop. The roller blind tube is what the fabric is wrapped around and gives the blind it structural integrity. If the roller blind tube diameter is too small or a cheap quality tube is used the roller blind tube will bend excessively ( Known as Deflection). This will cause the fabric to distort when the roller blind is pulled down and will appear as unsightly ripples forming a 'V' in the centre of the blind.  At Mornington Blinds we only use heavy gauge aluminium roller blind tube with aggressive keyway design to reduce deflection. Our roller blind tube diameter starts at 43mm and up. 

- Chain Drive System and Pin. If you are looking at a hand operated roller blind, then the chain drive is an other important component which needs to be assessed. The chain drive carries a lot of dynamic load and its moving parts are susceptible to wear and tear and breakage. Inspect the chain control and ask the salesperson what weight it is rated to carry.  Far too many blind companies will install poor quality chain drives which are not designed to carry the weight of the blind that they have been manufactured with. These controls will not last the test of time.  A premium quality chain drive should last the life of the blind. At Mornington Blinds we have a range of premium chain drives which are expertly matched suit to each and every blind we make.  We assess the width, drop and total weight of fabric on each blind and install the correct chain drive to suit the blind.  On very wide roller blinds we will also add a booster spring to assist on the lift cycle of the roller blind to make it smooth and easy for the user to raise the blind.  This also reduces wear and tear on the components.

- What Material is being used? It goes without saying that the fabric used in the production of a roller blind is a key and important component. It not only has to put up with the harsh Australian sun but also needs to maintain its appearance for the life of the blind. Take a look at the fabric specifications when making a decision. Compare fabric composition, thickness, lightfastness and cleaning spec. We generally recommend  polyester blends, which hold up well to sunlight without discolouring and are easy to clean. Additionally, fabrics with UV protection or thermal insulation properties provide added benefits, making them ideal for areas exposed to direct sunlight or temperature fluctuations.

- Quality Tubular Motors.  At Mornington Blinds we have been supplying and installing  motorised roller blinds along the Mornington Peninsula and right across Melbourne for over 30 years.  We have tried and tested 100s of brands of tubular roller blind motors. Installing a high-quality tubular motor in your roller blind system is essential for ensuring smooth operation, longevity, and overall user satisfaction. If you are planning to purchase motorised blinds, than having the right motor in your roller blind is critical for its longevity and also the support you get if something goes wrong. Tubular blind motors are the heart of motorised roller blinds, and choosing a reliable, durable electric roller blind motor can make a significant difference in both performance and value.  We use and recommend only Somfy tubular electric blind motors.  Somfy are a top tier roller blind motor manufacturer and they were the first company to manufacture a tubular motor for the blind market.  We have found their electric and battery operated blind motors to be the most reliable and offer the best technical and after sales support.

When looking to purchase a electric motorised blind or rechargeable motorised blinds, you need to ask  the following questions.  What brand of motor is being used in the blind? Always choose a well known brands that have good support in Australia. Some of these brands include, Somfy, Acmeda, Nice, Elero, Alpha.

How long is the warranty? Look for motors that give you at least 5 years warranty, does the motor manufacturer offer after sales support as well.

How loud is the motor? Check the decibel rating.  What is the speed of the motor? This will be represented in RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) and will give you an idea as to how fast the blind will travel up and down.  What is the Torque rating of the roller blind motor? This is how much weight the blind motor can lift. The higher the torque rating the better. All too often some blind manufacturers will put a less powerful motor in a large roller blind to save costs. However these motors will be lucky to last 5 years before they burn out.

Is the blind motor mains wired or battery operated? We always prefer mains wired motors as it eliminates recharging and there are more powerful model motor to choose from, however it is not always feasible or within the customers budget to run wiring to each and every motor.

If you are planning to use battery operated motors make sure you find out what torque rating they have. Also what is the recharge time on the motor? and how long will the battery charge last for? The latest rechargeable battery blind motors are now coming out with fast charge capabilities and can be fully charged in 1.5 hours. Indicatively you should be looking to get 6  to 12 months of blind operation before you need to recharge the blind motor. This is based on 1 cycle a day ( Up and Down Once).

Does the motorised roller blinds have the option of a hub for automated  and smart phone control? Somfy offer the Tahoma switch hub which allows for automated control of your blinds as well as control via a smart home or smart assistant. Somfy have also released their new range of blind motors with Zigbee Protocol, allowing your blinds to speak to other smart home devices with Zigbee protocol.

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 ​2. Smooth and Reliable Operation

A quality roller blind should operate smoothly, whether it’s manually controlled or motorised. Smooth rolling is a sign that the blind's components, such as the tube, brackets, and control mechanisms, are well-engineered. For motorised blinds, the motor should be quiet and efficient, offering seamless movement without noise or jerky motions. Consistent and effortless operation is a hallmark of good design and engineering.

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3. Custom Fit and Precision

A well-fitted roller blind enhances both its functionality and appearance. High-quality roller blinds are custom-made to fit the exact dimensions of the window, ensuring there are no gaps that let in unwanted light or air. This precision in manufacturing allows for a perfect fit, contributing to better insulation, privacy, and light control.

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4. Effective Light Control

A good roller blind should offer excellent light control. Whether it’s a blackout blind for total darkness or a sheer blind for filtered light, high-quality blinds effectively manage the amount of sunlight entering a room. The fabric's weave and coating determine how well the blind can block or diffuse light, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency in a space.

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5. Stylish Design

Quality roller blinds combine functionality with aesthetics. A well-designed roller blind should complement the decor of the room, offering a range of colours, textures, and finishes to suit different interior styles. Modern, minimalist designs that are sleek and unobtrusive are particularly sought after, adding a touch of sophistication to any room.

In summary, a good-quality roller blind features durable materials, smooth operation, a custom fit, effective light control, and stylish design, making it both a practical and aesthetic choice for any space.