What Are Pleated Blinds?

What Are Pleated Blinds?

Pleated blinds come with a long list of benefits. This makes them one of our top choices for window dressings! They’ll provide you with the ideal combination of performance and style. Here’s why…

Pleated Blinds Explained:

Pleated blinds are naturally beautiful thanks to their elegant folds which will add a soft textured effect to any interior.

Pleated blinds are made up of a ‘honeycomb’ structure. A series of hexagonal cellular ‘gaps’ between two layers of fabric that are joined at the top and bottom of each shape. The gaps are flattened when your blinds are open and expand again when your blinds are closed.

The cellular composition of pleated blinds allows them to sit neatly and discreetly at the top of the window frame. They are cordless; operated manually or via motorisation. This makes them totally child-safe, especially when paired with our Perfect Fit system!

Pleated Blinds Come in Lots of Styles and Fabrics

Not only are pleated blinds naturally beautiful. We have hundreds of styles available so you can choose them to suit your home perfectly.

Take your pick from a wide range of stunning colours, tones, and textures. From trendy Voile Sage and Neutral Ivory to Statement Chambray Blue and patterned Cherry Blossom, pleated blinds have a style to suit every taste and décor.

Your choice is exceptional when it comes to pleated blinds. You’ll be able to create the perfect environment within your home thanks to our range of fabrics on offer. Choose from standard fabric, blackout, voile, solar protective, and anti-microbial. Just ask our team about which fabrics will meet your requirements.

Not only that, but you can also take your pleated blinds to another level and upgrade to motorised blinds. Our motorised pleated blinds are the perfect contemporary style statement within your home. With motorisation, you’ll gain full control of the light, privacy, and temperature in your home, all at a simple click of a button on your rechargeable remote! It really can be that easy.

coloured pleated blinds

Pleated Blinds for Improved Efficiency

The honeycomb structure of pleated blinds enhances the acoustics and insulation within your home. They work by trapping pockets of air in the hexagonal cells between each section. This adds extra depth between your room and your windows. Therefore, you’ll benefit from a soundproofed, and warmer home! It’s a win, win!

Take everyday efficiency one step further and choose Perfect Fit pleated blinds! The Perfect Fit system fits directly to the UPVC frame and removes the risk of any gaps between your blinds and your windows. Therefore, the draught from outside is prevented from getting in, and the light leakage that can sometimes spill around the edges of your blinds, is no more!

In turn, your home will be dramatically warmer, and the blinds will be considerably more effective in blocking the light from getting in.

Pleated blinds for energy efficiency

Pleated Blinds Work Well Across the Home

Just like most of our blind styles, pleated blinds are ideal for use across the entire home. Their simplistic design makes them extremely versatile when it comes to fitting in with your decor, and our wide range of fabrics means there’s a choice to suit the requirements of every room.

Thanks to their insulating qualities, they are particularly useful in conservatories and caravans, where temperature control can be difficult. For this reason we find that pleated blinds are often a popular choice where the room is at a premium.

For rooms with high levels of humidity like kitchens and bathrooms, we’d recommend choosing one of our moisture-resistant pleated blind fabrics. This will help them to look as good as new, for longer.

pleated blinds for the kitchen

How to Clean Your Pleated Blinds

Pleated blinds are a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a low maintenance window dressing. To keep them looking good as new, there are a couple of cleaning options we recommend.

To remove dust:

To remove any settled dust from your pleated blinds, first, close the blinds completely. Then, with either a dry dust cloth or a handheld vacuum, glide over your blinds from top to bottom, easily lifting the dust.

To remove stains:

If you’ve found any settled stains on your pleated blinds, use a damp cloth and gently rub the affected area. It may be easier to remove to blind from your window and lay it out to make it easier to reach. Then, rehang the blind when completely dry, patting it down with a towel to speed up the drying, if you wish.

When you choose blinds from A1 Blinds you can choose from hundreds of different fabrics, styles, colours, and designs – including over 100 different pleated blinds!

If you’re not sure about which you fancy, we can help you. You could visit our Blaydon or Forest Hall showroom in Newcastle and let one of our expert team guide you through our entire range!

Alternatively, you can order up to 5 FREE samples from our website to be delivered straight to your door. The choice is yours, but either way, we’re always on hand to help you to make the best decision possible. Why not book your free home consultation today and get started?

Blackout Blinds & Children’s Sleep: A Cosy Recipe for Rest

Blackout Blinds & Children’s Sleep: A Cosy Recipe for Rest

When it comes to getting little ones to bed, few things are as powerful as a pitch dark and well regulated room environment. Blackout blinds for children offer a proven solution – from boosting sleep hormone levels to keeping bedrooms cool in summer and warm in winter.

🌙 Why Darkness Matters for Children

Encouraging Melatonin Production
Exposure to light – even low light – can suppress melatonin by up to 90%, the hormone vital for sleep regulation. A darkened kids’ room enables natural melatonin levels to rise, helping children wind down and stay asleep longer.

Better Quality & Longer Sleep
According to the UK Sleep Council, around 30% of children aged 3-17 struggle with sleep onset or staying asleep through the night. By blocking early morning light or ambient evening glow, blackout blinds in nurseries and children’s bedrooms can help extend total sleep time – especially useful in summer, when dawn breaks as early as 4:30 AM.

    🗣️ Parents’ Real World Experiences

    From UK parenting groups, many families report that blackout blinds dramatically improve early-morning wake-ups and overnight sleep:

    “We desperately need blackout blinds otherwise they’ll be up SO early… just won’t be able to get to sleep.” – Nichole.
    “Blackout blinds saved the day… she slept through the night again.” – Shannon.

    While airflow can be a trade off – especially with Velcro fit or fixed sheets – parents often find blackout solutions for kids that still allow for ventilation, such as blinds with suction cups or thermal liners.

    🌡️ Temperature Control: Summer & Winter Benefits

    In Summer
    • Thick, opaque materials block sunlight and reduce solar heat gain, making children’s bedrooms cooler even without air conditioning.
    • Tips from parents: using reflective foil, keeping blinds closed during heat of day, and opening only when ambient air is cooler.

    In Winter
    • Windows are responsible for up to 40% of home heat loss. Thermal blackout blinds for children’s rooms act as an insulating layer, trapping warmth and reducing the chill from cold panes.
    • Retaining heat helps maintain a cosy sleep friendly environment even on frosty nights.

    📊 Sleep & Health Stats (UK based context)
    • Sleep struggles: 30% of children aged 3–17 experience sleep disruptions.
    • Ideal bedroom temperature: 16–18 °C for optimal REM sleep; both overheating and chilliness disrupt sleep patterns.

    Recommended sleep durations:
    • Ages 3–5: 10–13 hours
    • Ages 6–12: 9–12 hours

    ✅ What Blackout Blinds Offer for a Child’s Bedroom

    • Total or near-total darkness helps children fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer without waking too early.
    • An added insulation and thermal layer keeps rooms cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, ensuring year-round comfort.
    • Noise dampening materials reduce outside noise, making it easier for children to rest without disturbances.
    • A cordless or child-safe design improves safety in nurseries and bedrooms, removing potential hazards.
    • Easy-to-open and close blinds offer flexibility for daytime naps or letting in fresh air when needed.
    • Total or near-total darkness helps children fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer without waking too early.

    🧸 Tips for Parents

    • Choose child-safe blackout blinds – cordless or securely fitted – to avoid hazards.
    • Go for a snug, custom fit to reduce light leakage and maximise insulation.
    • In summer, close blinds during the hottest part of the day. In winter, close them overnight to trap heat.
    • Consider blackout blinds with side tracks or thermal lining for better light and temperature control.

    🌟 Final Thoughts

    Blackout blinds are more than just sleep accessories – they’re essential tools in creating a calm, restful space for kids. They help regulate temperature, support natural sleep cycles, and reduce those early wake-ups that can disrupt the whole household. For children (and their parents), a well-fitted blackout blind might just be the most peaceful upgrade you can make to a bedroom.

    Case Study: St James Boulevard, Newcastle

    Case Study: St James Boulevard, Newcastle

    482 Roller Blinds Delivered for Student Accommodation – On Time, In Full

    Client: Private Developer
    Location:     St James Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne
    Sector:     Commercial – Student Accommodation
    Scope:     482 Roller Blinds
    Project Status:     Delivered On Time and In Full (OTIF)

    The Project

    We were proud to be chosen to supply and install 482 roller blinds for a major new-build student accommodation scheme right in the heart of Newcastle city centre. St James Boulevard is a fast-developing area – and this project was all about high-spec, modern student living. Our blinds now form part of that premium finish.

    How It Came About

    This one came through a LinkedIn referral – a great example of our work speaking for itself. Thanks to our reputation for reliability, quality, and our hands-on approach, we were recommended for the job. With in-house manufacturing and years of experience in student accommodation, we were the right fit from day one.

    What the Client Needed

    The brief was clear: style, safety, and performance.
    We supplied blinds that ticked every box:

    • Blackout fabric for full privacy and light control
    • Fire-retardant (FR) materials to meet regulations
    • Colour-matched components for a clean, consistent look
    • A solution that was cost-effective without compromising on quality

    Why They Chose Us

    We brought more than just products to the table:

    • We’re a local manufacturer with full control of our production schedule
    • We’ve got a proven track record in commercial and student accommodation work
    • We listened, adapted, and delivered exactly what was needed
    • Our team kept things simple, professional, and on track from start to finish

    How We Delivered

    From the first site visit to the final installation, we worked in phases, fitting in with the client’s build schedule. Each floor was carefully surveyed, manufactured, and installed without a hitch.

    • ✅ Delivered On Time and In Full
    • ✅ Zero defects across all 11 floors
    • ✅ Smooth installation with minimal disruption to other contractors

    What the Client Said

    “Thank you for A1 Blinds’ commitment to the project – much appreciated. The rooms look very crisp. A1 Blinds have done a very good job and have been very helpful throughout.”

    Nick Campfield, Project Director

    The Result

    This was a big one – and we’re proud of the result. The blinds we supplied don’t just look the part – they add comfort and functionality to every room. More importantly, we proved once again that we can handle large-scale commercial work without ever dropping the ball.

    In 2024 alone, we delivered over £250,000 worth of commercial blind solutions – and with more exciting projects already underway, 2025 is shaping up to be even bigger.

    Ready for the Next One

    With projects like St James Boulevard under our belt, our commercial division is going from strength to strength. If you’re planning a development and want a trusted, local partner for blinds and shading – we’re ready when you are.

    Best Blinds to Keep Your House Cool in Summer

    Best Blinds to Keep Your House Cool in Summer

    When the UK finally gets a stretch of warm weather, it’s brilliant — until your home turns into a sweaty, sleepless oven. If you’re searching for how to keep your house cool in hot weather (without running a fan 24/7), you’re not alone.

    One of the most effective and energy-efficient ways to regulate indoor temperature is by choosing the right window blinds. In this guide, we’ll share the best blinds to keep your house cool in summer, with expert tips and links to products proven to beat the heat.


    ☀️ Why Blinds Matter in Hot Weather

    In the UK, up to 30% of unwanted summer heat enters through your windows, according to government energy data. That’s a big deal — especially in homes with large windows or glass doors.

    Blinds help reduce heat gain by blocking or reflecting sunlight before it warms up your interiors. But not all blinds are created equal. Here’s what to look for.


    🧊 1. Thermal Blinds Work in Summer Too

    Thermal blinds aren’t just for winter. The same insulating layer that keeps the cold out can also reflect heat away from your home in summer.

    By reducing solar gain, thermal blinds can make a room feel several degrees cooler — perfect for bedrooms, loft conversions or sun traps.

    ✅ Top tip: Choose lighter-coloured thermal blinds to reflect rather than absorb sunlight.


    🌓 2. Vision Blinds Offer Flexibility & Style

    Vision blinds combine sheer and opaque fabric stripes, letting you adjust how much light and heat enters your room throughout the day.

    They’re especially effective in rooms where you still want light, but need to control glare and warmth — like kitchens, conservatories or home offices.


    🪟 3. Venetian Blinds Let You Deflect Sunlight

    Venetian blinds, particularly aluminium or faux wood, are ideal for regulating sunlight without completely blocking it. Simply tilt the slats to bounce the sun’s rays upward, reducing heat while maintaining brightness.

    They’re also easy to clean and look great in modern homes.


    😴 4. Keep Bedrooms Cool with Blackout Blinds

    Getting to sleep in a hot room can be tough. Blackout blinds help by not only blocking early sunlight but also reducing heat build-up during the day — especially in south- or west-facing bedrooms.

    Combine them with open windows in the evening for a cooler, more restful night.


    🔧 5. Perfect Fit Blinds = Maximum Coverage

    Perfect fit blinds offer edge-to-edge coverage inside the window frame — meaning less light leakage and less heat sneaking in. They’re ideal for doors, conservatories or awkwardly shaped windows.

    The snug fit means better temperature control and a sleek, tidy finish.


    💡 Bonus Tip: Combine Blinds with Smart Ventilation

    For best results, open windows early in the morning or later in the evening to let in cooler air — and keep your blinds shut during the hottest parts of the day to block the heat.

    Still not sure which blinds are right for your space? Check out our expert guides on the best window coverings to keep out heat and how roller blinds can help cool your home in summer for more ideas and inspiration.

    ✅ Ready to Cool Down Your Home?

    Browse our full range of heat-busting blinds:

    Book your free home appointment here
    📞 Or call us on 0800 193 0417

    © 2025 A1 Blinds

    Consultation

    Call

    Lookbook