Description of electric roller blinds
Having slightly changed the well-known phrase, we can safely say that windows are a mirror of your home. In many ways, not only functionality, but also the style of the room depends on the design of window openings. Smart curtains are a great opportunity to combine style and practicality.
What are electric curtains? How to choose such curtains for different rooms?
Design features
The classic model of roller blinds consists of a fabric wound on a shaft. The fabric is treated with special compounds, so that dust and moisture do not accumulate on it. With the help of PVC brackets, the structure is attached to a plastic frame, or directly to the glass.
Self-tapping screws, glue or double-sided tape are used for fastening. The shaft can be open, or placed in a special box (closed models). Open structures are easier to install and cheaper.
If the window is open and the wind is blowing, then the canvas begins to sway, then guide lines with magnets attached to them are used to fix it. A plastic rod with holes into which the fishing line is passed is attached to the lower edge of the canvas, and fixed on the sides.
Drive mechanisms are different, but they can be divided into two categories:
- Manual;
- Automated.
Canvases with an electric drive can be used both as an independent element of the interior and in the “Smart House” complex.
Advantages and disadvantages
More recently, roller blinds were used exclusively for office space. It was believed that the designs are too laconic, which means they are ideal for a work environment, and not entirely appropriate for apartments or country houses.
However, over time, it became obvious that the installation of blinds and their varieties in living quarters is very convenient. Moreover, manufacturers today offer very luxurious models that can complement almost any interior.
And if we talk about automatic curtains, then there are even more positive aspects of their use.
Advantages of electric curtains:
- Long period of operation. Since the total control of the system requires the same force, the web and the fastening system wear out very slowly.
- There is a possibility of programming: by setting a timer, you will ensure the opening (or closing) of the canvases at a certain time. This is similar to programming an alarm clock.
- If it is possible to install electric curtains with your own hands, you can do without serious financial investments.
- These curtains are the best way to protect non-standard rooms (such as attic rooms) from excessive sunlight.
- There is a security system against burglary and entry into the house.
- In addition to protection from light, such structures guarantee good sound insulation, which means that it is possible to reliably protect your home or office from unnecessary noise.
- Typically, horizontal roll curtains are designed for large window openings and manual operation requires considerable physical effort. And electronically controlled designs make this process much easier.
- Smart curtains are a practical system that, if used correctly, will last 5 years or more.
As with any device, there are drawbacks to electric curtains. First of all, these are breakdowns and a short service life in case of purchasing a low-quality model.
The second drawback is the high cost of high-quality, time-tested devices. In general, the "disadvantages" of roller blinds with remote control are very, very relative, it all depends on your circumstances and financial capabilities.
Electric drive
The "heart" of the roller blinds control system is called the electric drive. If the curtain is heavy, then the electric drive is located on the side, most often, it is mounted to the wall.
And lightweight roller blinds are arranged a little differently, the electric drive in such models is located inside the shaft on which the canvas is wound. Engines are very different in their characteristics.
Some are "powered" from a regular 220 V network, while others require a 12 or 24 V DC voltage converter to operate. In addition, the advantage of lightweight models is that they can be powered by built-in rechargeable batteries.
High-quality batteries are capable of ensuring the operation of the mechanism for a year, and then recharging is required. Wireless models are especially appreciated in the case when it is not possible to neatly mount the electrical wiring without harming the external appearance of the room.
Criteria for choosing an electric drive:
- The motor power is selected depending on the weight of the web (from 30 to 250 W).
- The speed at which the curtain moves is compared with the length of the canvas (10 - 25 centimeters per second).
- An important point: the mechanism has an emergency shutdown function: if an obstacle is encountered in the path of the web, the power supply is turned off.
- High-quality constructions are equipped with limit switches - the system will fix the open and closed position of the curtain.
- Some models even have a built-in memory - they "remember" the intermediate position you like.
- Good modern systems also have a fine-tuning function - just move your hand slightly up or down, and the automation will do the rest by itself.
- In the event of a power outage, there is the possibility of manual control of the mechanism.
The cost of roller blinds directly depends on the power of the engine and the size of the canvas. The control system also plays an important role, the level of complexity of which can be different.
And yet, regardless of the level of complexity and features of the control system, roller blinds with a remote control function seriously simplify manipulation, especially if there are many windows, or they are located in such a way that it is simply inconvenient to manually open and close the curtains.
A wide range of designs guarantees the choice of a model that is suitable in terms of cost and number of functions.
Video: electric drive for curtains
Electric roller blinds in the photo
