Blinds and Plantation Shutters
What is the difference between face-fit and recess-fit?
Recess-fit sits inside the window frame for a clean look, while face-fit mounts outside the frame to cover more light gaps and provide better privacy. The best option will depend on the home’s features. Do we want additional light control around the outside or do we need to clear door handles and window locks. Is there a large decorative architrave? Common in homes around Haberfield, Annandale and Croydon, often we will opt to install on the flat section of the decorative architraves in these homes.
Which blinds are best for privacy?
All our indoor products have an option for a fabric that will provide privacy for the day and the night.
Do plantation shutters blockout the light?
Anything that rotates, like a plantation shutter blade will have light seepage. Our Luxaflex Polysatin shutters will have a frame that will blockout light all around the panel and this makes a big difference. We can tilt the blade up to direct light to the ceiling but there will be some seepage still. How much will depend on the direction of the room and orientation of the property. Does the room have an overhang or is it protected from the light with trees?
What are the best blinds for bathrooms?
Our favourite option is the Polysatin plantation shutter. They are hollow, do not require maintenance and can get wet without warping. These shutters carry a 20-year warranty and always look clean and dressed. Aluminium is another good option either as a shutter or in a Venetian blind. The cost of roller blinds has gone down significantly over the years so whilst this may not have the lifespan of a plantation shutter or venetian, it is a very cost-effective option.
Are cordless blinds safe?
Yes, cordless blinds are highly recommended for homes with children and pets to eliminate strangulation hazards. In Australia if you have a cord it is required to be fixed off even if you don’t have children living in the home. Don’t like cords? We have a huge range of motorised options from Somfy, the Luxaflex PowerView motor and Silent Gliss. Each motor has an option to connect to the homes power or has a recharge battery option.
What is a "day/night" blind?
This typically involves two rollers (one sheer or sunscreen and one blackout) allowing for light filtration during the day and privacy at night. Remember, if you can see out during the day, your neighbours can see in at night. We have many alternative options such as the duo light honeycomb Duette, where the sheer sits on top of the blackout fabric. A dual roller blind will have two tubes, and one sits in front of the other. All Pirouette, Luminette and Silhouette soft shade products have a vane that opens for filtered light and privacy during the day but closes at night to provide privacy and light control from the morning sun.
Which blinds are popular right now?
There are waves of popularity for window furnishings. There is always a new or upgraded version of blinds moving within the interiors market. In the 80”s and 90”s it was verticals. In the 90”s and 2000”s it was venetians and then plantation shutters. Steady throughout is a combination. Now motorisation and curtains are growing more in popularity. Creating a Schule with your motor via an app is very popular. Soft roman or soft gathered roman blinds with matching fabrics, reminiscent of swags and tails are trending in magazines with designers. There are modern and more traditional options available and many ways to make your window furnishings reflect your home and style aesthetic.
How high should I hang decorative curtain rods and curtain tracks
The best advice is “high and wide.” There is no one size fits all solution for curtains. Each room is different and will depend on factors such as the curtain height, if a decorative track is being used, are we hiding a motor in the ceiling or do we have decorative architraves and a natural line to guide us from an opening or a wardrobe. We even make decisions on height depending on the fabric width we are using.
How long should curtains be?
Curtains should either kiss the floor, puddle up to 2cm or sit 1cm above to avoid collecting dust. Everyone is different and the fabric will guide us on this. Whilst we mostly have the fabric sitting above the floor, designers we work with do prefer puddling for its dramatic, less perfect feel.
How do I determine the right curtain width?
To look full when closed, the total width of the curtain panels should be at least 2-2.3 times the width of the window or door opening. We are either going wall to wall with a square set ceiling or between 50mm and 300mm past on each side. What we advise will depend on the fabric we are using, room orientation, light switches and decorative architraves.
What are the best curtains for a bedroom?
There are no rules, but blockout-lined curtains are preferred for maximum light blockage, privacy, and a better sleep. Lining a curtain will protective fabric on the inside from our strong Australian sun. A coated fabric will give more of a structured look and will require less fabric. This option is more cost effective but will not feel as high end and glamorous. It does however have its place when you don’t have a lot of room for a fabric stack or when we want that structured feel when opened.
Can I mix curtains and blinds together?
Yes, layering sheer curtains over Roman blinds, our honeycomb Duette or roller blinds provides a versatile, stylish, and layered look. Filtered light and privacy during the day with ambient light, privacy and warmth in the evening. At the moment I like to do a sheer roman or roller blind behind a blockout curtain.
Awnings (Outdoor Blinds)
What is an awning?
Any type of moving structure of fabric that is built for the outdoors and attached to the exterior of your property. Windows, doors and the laundry/kitchens are the most common locations. Fixed metal and canopy awnings are also included in this category. Fabric and canopy awnings offer the additional visual and beautiful street appeal.
How do awnings improve energy efficiency?
Awnings block direct sun from reaching the glass and transferring heat and UV rays that damage interiors into the room, reducing indoor heat and cutting air conditioning costs.
Which awning is best for east/west facing windows?
Vertical outdoor blinds that run up and down will help with the low setting or rising sun. Retractable awnings are best, with a variable valance when facing West. Fixed metal awnings are perfect for the rain but may not block the sun completely at certain times of the day.
What is a variable valance?
A variable valance is usually a sunscreen fabric that sits at the end of a folding arm awning. It rolls up and down like an internal blind and will give extra protection from a setting sun if you are sitting underneath an awning
When should I install a folding arm awning vs a rotating louvre or opening roof system?
If you don’t have the correct fixing for a folding arm awning to be correctly and safely installed or if you need a much larger area covered, (7.5m plus wide) a rotating roof system will be more cost effective and the recommended option. A folding arm awning will be water resistant and protect you from the sun and then will pull back allowing better visual to the sky and sun. You don’t need council approval for this option and so this is our preferred recommendation especially if you don’t have a large backyard. The SunRain awning is even better as it is stronger, uses waterproof fabric and can take stronger winds than other awning options.
What materials are most durable?
Acrylic, canvas, or polyester fabrics that are UV-resistant and water-resistant to prevent mildew and fading. We also do many awning recovers and will replace just the fabric where possible. Our fibreglass material Spectra is the most stable of our outdoor materials and is a must with our MagnaTrack awning.
General Questions and New Builds/Renovations
How can I visualize new window treatments?
Imagination helps but nothing compares to experience from a specialist designer and installation expert. We have a showroom in Five Dock specifically so that you can bring in your samples and play around with different materials. Operating the different control mechanisms and seeing our products in real life will help to narrow down your selections.
Should a home have the same product everywhere?
Gone are the days where everything is the same in a home. Often, we will match street and backyard facing treatments. We do try to use a cohesive colour palette or pull something that connects the different products throughout the home so that everything feels intentional, cohesive and layered.
When should I use a professional?
A professional installer is recommended for all custom, motorised, or tricky special shaped windows to avoid costly, permanent mistakes. Imagine spending a lot of money and time on a building or renovation only to have the entire job fall short because the blinds and selections were not installed and designed properly. Remember – you can always buy in stages. Most of our customers are repeat customers.
When should I plan for electrical?
At the very beginning. It’s important to note how many motors you will need and where they need to be located product dependant. This will often assist in keeping your electrical costs down, especially inside.
Do I need to build a pelmet?
No, there are other options available like recess boxes and recess profile tracks for curtains.
How much space do I need for a pelmet?
There is no one size fits all for this answer. Space will depend on product, control mechanism and even the fabric thickness will play a part.
Should I come into the showroom first?
If you are not sure what you want, then yes. Come in and look at the options, new and current. Get a feel for how things work and try the different control mechanisms. At the very least you will work out what you don’t want. If you know exactly what you want, maybe a visit after an in-home consultation would be better. Visit the showroom to lock in ideas and details.
Installation, electrical and Common Questions
Do you organise installers and electricians?
Yes, we have full time installers and contractors that we work with to connect motors both inside and outside the home. Our products are custom made and designed for your home. Our installer specialist will check the order details before we submit your order and then our installer will be the person who comes back to install your items. We have found this is the best way to minimise mistakes and ensure our customers get exactly what they want. We can organise a trusted electrician to be on site when required. One who works with our products and who we trust to do a job correctly and neatly. We will mostly get the customer to pay the electrician direct to avoid over or under charging for their time.
What is the turnaround time when I order?
We have a factory in Sydney and in Queensland. We offer a 5 working day turnaround option on some of our products when a surcharge is paid. Product will take between 2 and 6 weeks for Curtains, awnings, shutters and blinds. A special shape or a Duette skylight blind will be 6-9 weeks.
Can I purchase spare parts?
Yes, you can. Parts change over the years but if we can get the part, we can sell them to you. Sometimes we will have parts in stock for purchase.
Do you fix blinds curtains and shutters?
If our store has sold you the product, then yes. If you have a Luxaflex, Somfy or Silent Gliss product we are also able to assist. Often, we can’t help when we do not work with the brand that you need fixing. Send us a picture and detailed information to info@parkshuttersandblinds.com.au and if we can assist, we will or we will direct you to someone that can help.
Do you offer a cleaning serve?
We can direct you to a cleaning service depending on what you need. Our professional cleaners are local and experienced.