Are you planning to enclose the side walls of a terrace, balcony or gazebo? See what to choose: movable vertical or horizontal external blinds.

Movable external blinds They allow you to shield your terrace, balcony or gazebo from excessive sunlight and prying eyes. By adjusting the angle of the slats, you can control how much light and air enters the enclosed space.

External blinds can be fitted vertically or horizontally. The two options differ in terms of appearance, technical capabilities and choice of material. Find out which one is best suited to your building.

For reasons of functionality, side wall cladding with movable boards, is of growing interest. However, not everyone knows that installing these covers can be done in two ways. Find out the differences between horizontal and vertical blinds.

Vertical external blinds

Vertical external blinds are an elegant solution that pulls the body of the building upwards. They are perfect for modern building arrangements. You can use them to cover terrace walls, and they are also perfect for balcony development.
If you like vertical installation - aluminium laths are the best choice. These will allow you to build higher - the aluminium slats can be longer. You can use them to build up to 250 cm high. See here,How the installation of external vertical blinds looks like on YouTube. 

Pros: Vertical blinds are elegant and look designer. They will lend a modern touch to your built-in. They are fully movable and easy to clean. Aluminium ones will not require maintenance. They do not need to be mounted on a frame. 

Disadvantages: You will not fit wooden blinds vertically. They will pucker, which will affect the function of the mechanism for moving boards. Vertical slats should be aluminium. They are lighter and even a long aluminium lamella will not bend under its weight. 

Horizontal external blinds

Horizontal blinds are suitable for all types of buildings. They will add a cosy touch to a built-in terrace or balcony. They will also look great on a gazebo. They are mounted on movable brackets on the frame. They can also be fixed permanently at an angle. Such laths will be great for shed or terrace walls that do not require mobility. They will also make excellent fencing elements.

Pros: Horizontal laths can be either aluminium or wood. Like the vertical ones, they are fully movable and you can fill any space with them (given the frame, of course).

Disadvantages: Horizontal laths should be mounted on a frame. They can be either wooden or aluminium. Wooden blinds, however, have greater length restrictions. You can safely install 110 cm long boards. Aluminium laths - 200 cm. Planks that are too long will warp over time and this should be taken into account. See,How to install horizontal external blinds on YouTube. 

Wood or aluminium external blinds?

Wooden blinds blend in well with garden architecture, pergolas and terraces featuring wooden elements. However, they require appropriate protection and regular maintenance. Due to the nature of the material, there are also greater restrictions on the length of the slats.

Aluminium blinds are corrosion-resistant, do not require waterproofing and allow for longer slats. They are suitable for both horizontal and vertical installations. They are a good choice if you are looking for easy maintenance and a modern look.

Where can I buy external vertical and horizontal blinds?

Are you planning to enclose a terrace, balcony or pergola? Take a look at our external blinds – wooden and aluminium, available as flat-pack kits and as ready-made panels with frames.

If you already have a frame ready, you can buy the appropriate brackets and slats from the OpenUp System. And if you’d prefer a ready-made solution, we’ll help you choose a unit tailored to your dimensions and installation requirements.

Would you like to order a side enclosure for your terrace, including installation? Take a look at our completed projects and the options available for bespoke fittings or contact the quotations department on 530 336 595.