Louvolite takes an indepth look at the pleated blind and all its workings and uses

What is a pleated blind and how does in work? Whilst this may at first sight appear a silly question it is worth accepting whilst the pleated shade, as we know it, has been available within the UK for around 40 years it is possibly the least understood shading product available.

Put simply a pleated blind is a shading device that can be anchored to a window or door and deployed to provide shade and privacy to that opening. When not required the pleated fabric blanket simply folds back on itself (fan like) to stack neatly out of the way taking up a minimum amount of space.

Lets take the base fabric that has to be selected for use as a pleated shade – historically this has been more often than not a lighter weight fabric base in order for the final manufactured product to be capable of being suspended in roof spaces . Although the pleated shade is appropriate for use  in almost any window/door configuration it is uniquely positioned as a product which can satisfy conservatory or atrium roof space shade requirements like no other.

Also the fabric has to retain a pleat at every 20 or 25mm interval. Essentially these pleats have to be permanent pleats regardless of whether the blind is used in cool climates or those found in continents where the sun is not just an occasional visitor.

To achieve this complex coating formulations have to include solutions which create a cross linking of the other chemicals used to ensure that the pleat remains permanent when set with the appropriate measures of heat and pressure. With the aid of Louvolite's unique patented Equi-Pleat spacing system pleated blinds always retain the eveness of pleat along the full operating length of the shade.

Due to their popularity for use in areas where large expanses of glazing are used pleated fabrics will typically feature a performance coating to the reverse  side to reject various proportions of solar gain and reduce heat build up .
The systems too have to be uniquely developed to operate in ways which are totally unfamiliar to other shading systems .For example how would you fit a vertical louver blind into a triangular shaped roof window? Pleated shade systems however  are expected to perform these tasks easily and allow the user to operate the blind as and when they wish. In addition, as with such installations the actual number of units used are multiple the installation of the system must be neat, with no unsightly cords hanging around and not damage the structure to which it is attached.

Fortunately Louvolite developed the unique Perfect Fit operating and installation system to allow  a variety of window shade systems – including pleated shades – to be installed by a method which allows blinds to be fitted to double glazed units without the damaging requirement of drilling and screwing. In addition all operating cords are out of harm’s way and the light strike issue (the halo of light around a blind when deployed in daylight) is all but eliminated.

Why use a pleated blind?
There is one obvious reason why a pleated shade may be the product selected for use – they do look absolutely fantastic. However it is fair to say that their excellence on one particular area has perhaps overshadowed their use in more general areas of the home. Due to the aforementioned ability for pleated shades to be fitted to awkward non standard window shapes in roofing systems and conservatories this has been seen to be the primary source for pleated shade installations.
More recently innovations such as Perfect Fit brought the pleated product into general areas of the home and it is expected that this will continue as designs progress to add flair with performance to better suit  general domestic installations. The scenario is a little bit like the vertical Louvre blind in the 1970s when it was commonly used in conjunction with patio doors and nowhere else. Once the consumers became accustomed to  the  use and flexibility of vertical louver blinds they installed them in other applications. No doubt this will happen to a greater or lesser degree with pleated shades.

Where?
Where ever you want to make a stylish design statement with a functional and decorative product which is totally unobtrusive and hidden from view when not deployed.
Window door combinations in kitchens are ideal opportunities for utilising the clean lines of pleated shades. Products such as ‘day/night’ blinds which combine translucent and opaque coverings on a single blind system provide great flexibility for circumstances where this feature is required.
As pleated blinds can easily be tensioned you can also operate them as ‘bottom up’ products allowing natural light to be left towards the top of a window whilst retaining privacy. The Perfect Fit installation programme allows the consumer to re install a normal ‘top down’ blind to ‘bottom up’ in seconds with no detriment to the blind or surrounding window/door.
Tilt and turn windows are again ideal opportunities for the pleated blind product to be the product of choice. Due to the neatness of the pleat itself – as little as 20mm wide – and the associated installation systems the product allows full operation and movement of the window with the blind still in situ. The window can be open and yet the shade deployed to optimise the preferred  combination of ventilation and light control.
 
When?
In reality as the domestic and commercial consumer becomes more familiar with the operating capabilities and installation options available with pleated shades they will make the decision to select this product should circumstances dictate it is the most appropriate one. All we can do is ensure that they have all the appropriate information available in order to make that decision.


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