Blinds (blackout) for patio french doors

robatwork

Hi all,

I know Ikea do some cheapo blackout blinds that can be stuck up and trimmed to size, but they aren't long enough for my french doors which are nearly 2m in height and 92cm across. There are dozens of bespoke blind companies out there doing made to measure and they can be rather pricey. Any MSE recommendations for a made-to-measure or ones I can DIY trim? They need to be the pleated/concertina type which go right to the top/bottom when not in use so they don't obscure the view. 

thanks

vic_sf49

I've got the "Perfect fit" blinds from Blinds2go for a few of my windows...not French doors though.

I had a faulty one, and it was replaced with an immediate apology from them, so I'll be sticking with the company for future needs.

One think to be aware of with the perfect fit, is that in winter, they trap warm air overnight between the blind and window, so your windows are streaming in the morning, so I only use them in warmer weather.

I bought them for when the sun comes up at stupid o'clock, so this isn't an issue for me.

robatwork

Thanks for the reply. I actually have some blinds2go blinds already - it's just they don't block the bright sun at all. The reason I didn't want to use them again was, despite some good customer service in also sending me a replacement when I complained about them drooping after a few weeks, I realise this is a design flaw. 

All of them drop after a few weeks and need to be re-tensioned, which is a bit of an arseache which involves undoing the elastic at the spring and retightening. I have to do this on all 3 blinds. 

So I'm loathe to get the same system again just with different material.

A thorough googling has shown all these companies are much of a muchness and all charge about £100 for a 195cm drop. Compared to the Ikea Schottis which are £4 each I think (but slightly too short for my doors) that's hardly MSE. 

[Deleted User]

I've use these for my conservatory  PerfectFIT DuoShade Arctic White Thermal Blind (blinds-2go.co.uk)  

robatwork

Those blinds2go ones work out at over £500 for my french doors! If the Ikea ones were only a bit longer they would cost around £12 for the same thing

Slinky

Looks like B&Q do some that are 2.4m drop - this is an example for £36

https://www.diy.com/departments/kala-corded-grey-striped-day-night-roller-blind-w-120cm-l-240cm/1645844_BQ.prd

Rosa_Damascena

vic_sf49 said:

I've got the "Perfect fit" blinds from Blinds2go for a few of my windows...not French doors though.

I had a faulty one, and it was replaced with an immediate apology from them, so I'll be sticking with the company for future needs.

One think to be aware of with the perfect fit, is that in winter, they trap warm air overnight between the blind and window, so your windows are streaming in the morning, so I only use them in warmer weather.

I bought them for when the sun comes up at stupid o'clock, so this isn't an issue for me.

I cannot wait until that time, I am desperate for sunshine and more importantly heat!

dickibobboy

robatwork said:

Those blinds2go ones work out at over £500 for my french doors! If the Ikea ones were only a bit longer they would cost around £12 for the same thing

Can you not just stick two together? the folds will overlap quite easily and you could probably even get away with using the included sticky strips that are used to attach to the frame. 

[Deleted User]

robatwork said:

Those blinds2go ones work out at over £500 for my french doors! If the Ikea ones were only a bit longer they would cost around £12 for the same thing

No, they're not cheap but they're worth every single penny, i don't mind how much i pay for something as long as it's value for money.
I've used the honeycomb aluminium thermal blackout blinds for 5 years and they're as perfect now as the day i fitted them.