Plastic or aluminum blinds: which is better for the sunny side, children's room, kitchen

In the store it is difficult to figure out which blinds are better, plastic or aluminum. Reviews often praise both. Plastic slats are usually cheaper, have a rich palette of colors and beautiful designs. Aluminum slats are stronger, more reliable, and more discreet. Everyone chooses what is closest to them. From a functional and practical point of view, there is little difference between them.

What are plastic blinds?

The products are made from PVC - polyvinyl chloride. Modern technologies make it possible not to use toxic compounds and bisphenol A.

Plastic blinds can be washed frequently. They can be used in rooms that require high sanitary requirements.

Often, plastic blinds replace fabric curtains in the nursery. For a frequently ill child or people with allergies, this is the most acceptable option. The slats do not absorb allergens and dust, they are easy to wipe and can be disinfected with chlorine-free products.

Advantages and disadvantages

With the help of plastic products, you can effectively protect the room from too bright sunlight, and, if necessary, completely darken the space. They have many advantages:

• Design. PVC blinds are produced in a variety of colors, with three-dimensional patterns on the entire canvas and plain ones. They reproduce the luxurious texture of wood as accurately as possible, replacing natural bamboo and wood products.
• Moisture resistance. Plastic does not swell like wood and does not corrode like metal. It is absolutely moisture resistant. Blinds can be installed in rooms with high humidity: bathrooms, greenhouses, swimming pools, laundry rooms, etc.
• Affordable price. Plastic products belong to the lowest price segment. Everyone can afford simple models made of white plastic.
• Easy care. Products can be easily cleaned with soapy water. To care for them, you do not need aggressive chemicals or abrasives.

Flaws:

• white plastic turns yellow over time;
• prone to fading under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
• deformed from high temperatures;
• when heated, it can emit a specific odor;
• thin slats are easy to break.

What are aluminum blinds?

Aluminum blinds consist of slats made of aluminum. More often the lamellas are located horizontally. The product is installed on the window on special brackets using self-tapping screws. Blinds can be mounted on any surface: window frame, wall, ceiling.

Horizontal aluminum blinds are considered universal. They are great for kitchens, terraces, balconies, country buildings, and offices.

There is a common myth that you only need to use PVC blinds for plastic windows. This is wrong.Aluminum blinds can be mounted on any frame - plastic, wooden. They do not violate aesthetics and combine well with other types of materials.

Advantages and disadvantages

Aluminum slats are strong and durable. During the production process, a layer of enamel is applied to them. The coating provides resistance to temperature changes and high humidity.

Pros:

• Fire safety. Aluminum is fire resistant - does not ignite and does not emit toxic substances. In case of fire it becomes deformed.
• Easy care. To clean aluminum slats, simply wipe them with a damp cloth or brush off the dust. Contaminants are not absorbed into the material. In addition, aluminum attracts less dust.
• A light weight. Aluminum blinds are lighter than wooden and fabric blinds. The weight is almost the same as plastic products. But at the same time, they are superior in strength to all other types.
• Odor resistance. The product does not absorb the smell of cigarette smoke. They are well suited for areas where smoking occurs.
• Moisture resistant. The enamel coating protects the metal from corrosion. Aluminum blinds can be used in rooms with moderate humidity.
• Reliability. Aluminum slats will not break if accidentally dropped, lightly pressed or pressed. It is quite difficult to damage them if you do not do it intentionally.

Aluminum products have no obvious disadvantages. Some may not like:

• slight noise in a draft when the plates touch;
• poor choice of colors;
• heating of the product when exposed to direct sunlight;
• relatively high cost (compared to plastic).

What is the difference between them?

Classic white horizontal blinds are not much different in appearance.Aluminum and plastic plates have approximately the same thickness. On the window the differences are invisible. Is that the shine of glossy plastic is more subdued. At the same time, they equally successfully cope with the function of protection from light. Rotating mechanisms allow you to adjust the angle of incidence of the light flux and its intensity.

The difference between the products is small, and is revealed when comparing the characteristics:

• Aluminum products are more expensive (if we compare classic models of standard sizes).
• Plastic blinds come in a wide range of colors. Polymer materials lend themselves well to coloring. For aluminum products, the choice of colors is often small, and is limited to 5-8 color schemes.
• Aluminum plates make a slight noise when assembled and unfolded. They hit the windows quite noisily in a draft. The noise of plastic is significantly lower.
• Aluminum blinds are reliable and resistant to mechanical stress. Plastic plates break easily and crack when dropped or bent.

Interesting fact. The word “blinds” is translated from French as “jealousy.” Several centuries ago, jealous men used sticks suspended on ropes to hide their wives from prying eyes. In 1841, John Hampton used the idea to create modern blinds that could be raised and lowered.

Table with characteristics for comparison

Aluminum and plastic are the most popular materials for blinds. First of all, they are distinguished by ease of care. It is enough to collect the dust with a vacuum cleaner and wipe the plates with a damp cloth, and the curtains will be clean again. It is difficult to choose between the two types of materials. We suggest comparing their characteristics in the table:

Which is better to choose?

Experts advise choosing the type of blinds, first of all, based on the characteristics of the windows and the room in which they will be used.

It matters whether the side is sunny or shady, and whether there are heating devices nearby.

It is better to choose aluminum blinds:

• If there is smoking indoors. Aluminum cannot be burned through by a cigarette, and it does not absorb cigarette smoke.
• For kitchen. Active use of a gas stove, electric heating devices, and hot frying pans increases the risk of damage to a plastic product. Aluminum blinds are heat resistant and will not melt from the heat.
• With strict fire safety limits: for a kindergarten, hospital, laboratory, food production, premises with a risk of an open fire.
• If the windows are located on the sunny side. Aluminum does not fade in the sun or melt, as can happen with cheap plastic. The latter can also give off a plastic smell in hot weather.

For reference: When exposed to direct sunlight, the lamellas heat up to a temperature of +60 degrees.

Plastic blinds worth choosing:

• If the budget is limited.
• If most of the time the windows are located in the shade.
• People who like wood blinds but want to save money on real wood. The imitation on PVC looks very believable.
• For a children's room. Plastic products are less noisy and will not disturb the child's sleep.

What are the best blinds according to reviews?

Metal is metal. Aluminum is stronger and more durable than plastic. It does not fade in the sun and is easy to clean. At the same time, its price remains affordable.

Most buyers prefer aluminum blinds to plastic ones.

They are often compared in reviews.

Reviews about plastic blinds

Reviews of PVC blinds are not always positive. Most often, buyers do not like the fragility of the material. However, many are ready to forgive the shortcomings of plastic, given its affordable cost.

• Elena: “Plastic blinds were on the rental property. They turn yellow over time and become deformed in the sun. We bought aluminum vertical ones for our house. The second year they look like new. And it’s much more convenient to wipe. You’re not afraid to break it.”
• Ksyusha: “I dreamed of hanging blinds on the balcony. I wanted to not only close myself off from the sun and prying eyes, but also not to disturb the aesthetics. Therefore, the choice fell on plastic blinds with a pattern. I bought vertical ones because they collect less dust. I'm very pleased. They’re easy to clean, lightweight, and look decent.”
• Olya: “We live on the first floor - in full view of the residents from the house opposite. And everyone passing by looks in the windows. I'm tired of putting up with this. We bought cheap horizontal plastic blinds in Auchan. I open them at an angle of 45 degrees. The house is light, and nothing can be seen from the street. True, after two or three years, the white plastic turns yellow. But the price allows you to buy new blinds. The last time they chose the colored ones. I think they will last longer.And I got used to washing them like this: I take them out of the fastenings, put them in a bath of water, pour in a little washing powder, and leave them for half an hour. I move it around a little with my hands, rinse it and hang it over the bathtub to drain. Perfect cleanliness."

Reviews about aluminum blinds

Most buyers do not find any disadvantages with aluminum blinds. Reviews:

• Anastasia: “We installed aluminum vertical blinds 6-7 years ago. The windows in the apartment face exactly west. 12th floor. After lunch, nothing blocked the windows, and the apartment turned into a stove. Everything is ok now. We are completely satisfied with the choice.”
• Valera: In the summer it was incredibly hot on the balcony. The temperature on the thermometer rose to 39 degrees! I installed aluminum blinds (the simplest ones), now +30 maximum. My wife organized a green corner. The plants feel great there. Yes, I am too".
• Lena: “I don’t like blinds myself; I consider them more of an office option. I bought it for my mother. I liked the green horizontal metal blinds. The plastic ones are very flimsy, if you bend them a little, kinks appear. Mommy is happy. He says that with the help of a special brush they are easy to care for.”

Questions and answers

Which is better, vertical or horizontal blinds?

Horizontal blinds are better suited for small windows with a window sill, vertical blinds are better for large windows. When the lamellas are arranged vertically, the ceilings seem to be higher. The downside is that they can flutter in the wind. The horizontal arrangement allows you to control the light as efficiently as possible. Such blinds are more convenient to wash, but they collect 2-3 times more dust.

How to choose quality blinds?

The thicker the lamella and the better quality of the painting, the longer the product will last.Slats that are too thin may sag under their own weight. This is especially true for long slats. The minimum thickness of the product starts from 0.2 mm. In addition, it is important that when closed the slats fit tightly to each other, and the turning mechanism does not jam.

Plastic or aluminum blinds are a matter of taste. Both of them reliably protect the room from the sun and prying eyes. Materials have their own characteristics that should be considered before purchasing. But in general they are not very different from each other.