Roller blinds, made-to-measure comfort

Roller blinds in South Africa

Roller blinds are the cleanest, most versatile window covering for modern homes. When specified properly, they give you calm light control,
real privacy, and a finished look without visual clutter. The difference between “cheap rollers” and a great result is not the word roller blind.
It is the fabric performance, the hardware quality, and the way it is measured and mounted.

Best for: kitchens, lounges, bedrooms, rentals, offices, and wide modern windows.
Choose by outcome: light filtering (soft daylight), dimout (privacy + calm), blockout (sleep + media).
Key decision: recess-fit for a built-in look, face-fix for better coverage and to hide imperfect frames.

Opportunity cost: if you choose the wrong fabric or mounting, you pay twice. You live with glare, light gaps, or a “cheap” look, then replace it.
Correct specification upfront is usually the cheaper decision over 3 to 5 years.

Last updated: 27 January 2026

Roller blind types explained

Light filtering roller blinds

Light filtering fabrics soften daylight and reduce harsh glare while keeping the room bright. They are ideal for living areas where you want privacy
without turning the space into a cave. They create a calm, “diffused daylight” feel that photographs beautifully and feels good in real life.

Best for lounges, dining rooms, kitchens, home offices
Reduces glare and creates daytime privacy
Not designed for full darkness at night

Dimout roller blinds

Dimout fabrics balance privacy with a softer mood. They block more light than filtering fabrics but do not fully black out the room.
This is often the sweet spot for street-facing bedrooms and multipurpose rooms where you want calm, not total darkness.

Best for street-facing rooms, guest bedrooms, TV rooms in the evening
Strong privacy plus a calmer ambience
Not true blockout for daytime sleeping

Blockout roller blinds

Blockout fabrics are designed for sleep and media. They significantly reduce light through the fabric itself.
The remaining issue is usually edge light, which comes from gaps at the sides, top, or bottom. That is solved by correct mounting,
correct sizing, and choosing the right approach for the window.

Best for bedrooms, nurseries, shift workers, media rooms
Fabric blocks light, mounting manages edge gaps
Face-fix often gives better coverage than recess-fit

Recess-fit vs face-fix

Recess-fit (inside the window)

Recess-fit is neat and built-in. It works best when the window reveal is square, deep enough for the mechanism, and the goal is a minimal,
flush finish. Recess-fit can leave more edge light on blockout blinds, depending on the reveal and frame.

Best for clean reveals and modern frames
Minimal look, blind sits inside the opening
May show more edge light on blockout

Face-fix (over the window)

Face-fix covers the full opening and is often the better solution for privacy, blockout performance, and hiding uneven frames.
It can also visually “upgrade” a window by making it feel larger and more intentional.

Best for blockout performance and privacy
Hides imperfect frames and handles tricky reveals
Often looks more “finished” when correctly sized

Fast rule: if sleep or privacy is the priority, face-fix usually wins. If the priority is a built-in minimal look, recess-fit often wins.

What makes a roller blind feel premium

Fabric behaviour

Stable hang, less waviness over time
Better texture and colour consistency
Performance aligned to the outcome (filtering, dimout, blockout)

Hardware and finishing

Smoother chain control and consistent rolling
Cleaner brackets, neater end finishes
Better bottom bar weight for straighter hang

Correct measurement and mounting

Allowances for handles, reveals, and opening direction
Right width to reduce light gaps without rubbing
Correct height so the blind stacks neatly when raised

Where roller blinds work best

Living rooms: light filtering for calm, bright privacy and reduced glare
Kitchens: easy-clean fabrics, practical light control
Bedrooms: blockout with correct face-fix coverage where needed
Home offices: glare reduction for screens without making the room feel dim
Rentals and Airbnb: simple, durable, low-maintenance performance

Comfort logic: blinds are not décor first. They are environmental control. When the room feels better, the home feels more expensive.

FAQ

Are roller blinds a good choice for coastal homes?

Yes, if the fabric and hardware are chosen for humidity, sun exposure, and daily use. The right specification matters more than the name.

Do blockout roller blinds make a room completely dark?

Blockout fabric blocks light through the material, but edge light can still enter from the sides or top. Edge light is managed through mounting,
sizing, and the right approach for the window.

Which is better: recess-fit or face-fix?

Recess-fit looks built-in and minimal. Face-fix usually gives better privacy and blockout coverage and can hide uneven frames.
The right choice depends on the room outcome.

What is the best roller blind for daytime privacy?

Light filtering or privacy-focused fabrics are usually best because they let in diffused daylight while obscuring visibility.

What is the best roller blind for bedrooms?

Blockout roller blinds are the strongest choice for sleep. Pair them with the correct mounting approach to reduce edge light.

How do roller blinds affect heat and glare?

The correct fabric reduces glare and can help manage solar gain. Honeycomb systems are stronger for insulation, but rollers are excellent for practical,
clean light control.

How do you clean roller blinds?

Most roller blinds are cleaned with gentle dusting or wiping using a soft, damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals and over-wetting. For kitchens, choose fabrics
designed for easier cleaning.

Technical data

Category: indoor window coverings
Fabric performance: light filtering, dimout, blockout
Mounting: recess-fit or face-fix
Controls: chain, spring, motor (range dependent)
Key risks if mis-specified: edge light gaps, rubbing on frames, uneven roll, waviness on wide spans
Best practice: choose by room outcome first, then confirm mounting and fabric performance

Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings™ specifies and installs roller blinds based on the room outcome, environment, and usage requirements.
Product options vary by specification and availability.