roller blinds

When it comes to choosing new blinds for your home, you have two options. Made to measure blinds, or ready-made, off the shelf blinds. In this blog, we’ll explain the difference, and why we champion made to measure blinds here at A1!

Made to measure is a term that’s thrown around often. But what does it mean? Made to measure blinds are bespoke blinds that are made exactly to your specifications. This includes everything from their size, fit, and fabric, to the accessories, and even which side the control chain sits on!

In comparison, ready-made blinds are available off the shelf. They come in set sizes, colours, and designs as standard. They cannot be personalised. Unfortunately, this often results in ill-fitting blinds that are not quite right! That’s why at A1, we would always recommend choosing made to measure blinds…

We’ve been manufacturing made to measure blinds across the North East region for over 30 years! We’re an expert team of craftsmen with a weal

Bay windows are a key feature in your home, so you must know how to dress them with the perfect blinds for bay windows! A bay window allows lots of light into a room, as well as an enhanced view. But this comes together with the need for protecting your privacy and controlling the light when necessary.

So, what is a bay window?

Once tied solely to period homes, bay windows have made a comeback in modern-day architecture and design. They protrude outwards from the main walls – creating an illusion of more space in a room and bringing more of the outside in.

There are several styles of bay windows. Different angles, amounts of windows, sizes, and heights. So, before you choose the best blinds for your bay windows, you need to figure out what type of bay windows you have:

Bow windows: Usually made up of one large pane of curved glass.
Angled (AKA canted) bay windows: Made up of a flat-fronted glass pane and 2 angled side panes.
Multi-faceted bay windows: A

Roller blinds are one of our most popular blind styles year on year. Understandable really! They give a modern look to any window and can be styled to your tastes and needs.

So, what is a roller blind? Roller blinds are a single piece of fabric that is rolled around a metal pole and fit across the top of your window. They can be fitted either on the inside or the outside. These blinds operate by unrolling to cover your window via a chain mechanism that is attached to the casting. Or, you can opt for the motorised mechanism whereby they open at the touch of a button!

The versatility in our range of roller blinds makes them a perfect choice for every room in the home. Our PVC roller blinds are superb for kitchens and bathrooms, as they can be wiped clean and are moisture resistant. Their contemporary design means they’ll complement any décor in a bedroom or living room alike. And, with blackout and di

Are you looking for new children’s bedroom blinds?

Your children’s bedroom is a great opportunity to get creative with colours and prints. It’s important to make a fun and comfortable space that they will enjoy! But when it comes to picking your children’s bedroom blinds, there’s more to consider than just how they will look. Think sleep, safety and style.

In this blog, we’ll run through our latest collections of children’s bedroom blinds, including the most popular designs, blackout and child-safe options. 

Colourful children’s bedroom blinds

The colour choice for your children’s bedroom blinds will depend upon their age! Pastel colours for your newborn will create a nursery that feels calm and restful… For you and the baby. You could go blue for a boy and pink for a girl or keep it neutral for that minimal look.

Younger toddlers are learning their primary colours, and so bright and cheery schemes are what it’s all about

What are the best blinds for bathrooms? Finding the right ones could help you make your home warmer, dryer, and prevent issues developing over time. Blinds play a crucial role in your home, helping you control the light that gets into it, and helping to insulate your living space too.

However, in bathrooms, they could be even more important. Bathrooms get hot and humid, especially after you use them for long baths and showers. As a result, the room can become damp and moist, creating the conditions for condensation to thrive. At A1, though, we're the number one for a wide range of blinds that are best to protect your bathrooms.

How Do Blinds Protect Bathrooms?

The best blinds can prevent condensation from developing in your bathroom. When you take a bath or shower, the moisture and heat they create can collect inside the room. Because of this,

Adding a roller blind can quickly and cost effectively transform the look of any room, adding a stylish finishing touch to any design scheme.

What is a Roller blind?

A roller blind is a piece of fabric which fits into the top of your window frame. This can be within or outside of your window recess. They are operated by a side-winding chain attached to the blind casing at the top.

Motorised controls and smart controls are also available giving you the option to open and close your blinds remotely or by speaking to your smart device, for example, your Amazon Alexa or Google Home. 

What type of windows are best for roller blinds?

Roller blinds are suitable for almost any type of window and can also be used on doors like patio or bi-fold doors. They are