Uni 2 roller blinds for plastic windows

Cassette roller blinds are great for saving space in a room, they are easy to use and create a modern atmosphere in the home.

There are several types of roller blinds, they differ in mechanisms, installation methods on windows and control method. Before going to the store, you should understand the most popular mechanisms, find out how they differ and choose the ideal option for your home.

Types of roller blinds and their features

Products that operate using a cassette system are divided into three types.

• The UNI-1 design has a special box, inside which a chain is placed, with which a person assembles or unwinds the canvas. The guides that move the canvas have a flat shape. It is attached to the glazing beads of the window profile.

  

• The UNI-2 system is similar to the first one, but differs in the shape of the guides, here they are in the form of the letter "P", and also attach the product to the window frame. Thanks to the installation method, the owner can lower the roll, covering the lower glazing bead.

  

• UNI-2, but equipped with a spring mechanism. It differs in the control method: to unwind/twist the roll, a person controls the handle. The box is placed anywhere - above, below or even on the side of the window frame.

  

Any of the specified mechanisms can be mounted on the window frame in two ways.

1. Self-tapping screws are used – the master drills holes for installing the system.

   

   

   

2. Double-sided tape is used - an unreliable method, designed only for lightweight products. Experts do not recommend it, if the owner pulls the chain too hard, the structure may fall.

   

   

Roller blinds UNI-1 and UNI-2: description of designs, their differences

Externally, the consumer practically does not notice the difference between the two types of curtains, but any specialist will explain that there are differences and there are quite a lot of them.

Roller blinds UNI 2 are considered universal mechanisms, they are installed on almost all plastic windows. So the first difference is the ability to install on any plastic profiles. But there are a few more differences, let's consider them in more detail.

Type of guides

The former have flat guides, while UNI-2 is characterized by U-shaped guides. Because of this, the latter system has a larger cassette.

To see the difference, the buyer should look at the roller blind assembly - the box of the second UNI is more voluminous, along the entire length there is a centimeter-thick backing for convenient placement inside the U-guide.

Distance between roll and glass

UNI-1 are attached close to the glass, the rolls in the open state touch the glass. If the windows often fog up, the fabric gets wet and sticks. This not only harms the fabric, but can also completely destroy the system - the fabric sticks, if you pull too hard, the product will fall.

The second model does not have this drawback; it is attached to the frame, and there is at least a centimeter of space between the glass and the roll.

Placement of weights

A weight is placed at the bottom of the curtain web; in the UNI-1 system, it is attached to the lower glazing bead horizontally. If the installer attaches the roller blind not perfectly horizontally at the top, the weight will be placed at an angle. Due to this defect, a gap is formed at the bottom, where sunlight penetrates.

In UNI-2, the curtain with weight always goes below the glazing bead, so there is no gap.

Method of opening windows

The boxes of the two systems are different - one is flat, the other is larger. The large box of the UNI-2 roller blind limits the opening of the window, because the large box rests against the slope, which makes it impossible to fully open the window.

The flat box UNI-1 increases the opening by 11 degrees, but if the roller blind is installed on the balcony door, this is also not comfortable.

Installation of systems

UNI-1 are attached to the glazing bead, but only if its depth is at least 1.4 centimeters and it is rectangular. This results in overlapping of the glass from below and from the side. The cassette takes away about four and a half centimeters from above, and the side guides take away two centimeters from the sides. Thus, the window opening is significantly reduced.

If the glazing bead is of a different shape, or its depth is less than 1.4 centimeters, it will not support the system. In this case, UNI-2 is installed, attaching it to the frame. The cassette opening and guides on the sides pass along the frame, which means they do not cover the glass. When open, the window is the same as before the roller blinds were installed.

Advantages and Disadvantages of UNI2 and UNI1

Both designs are considered inexpensive, their price is the same. But how to choose the best system for your home? Let's consider the pros and cons of each mechanism separately.

Advantages of UNI-1

1. Slightly cheaper than UNI 2 curtains, by about ten percent.
2. Takes up less space, the opening angle is eleven degrees larger than the second mechanism.

Cons

1. Not universal – can only be attached to a rectangular glazing bead with a thickness of 1.4 cm or more.
2. Reduces glass, cassette and side guides cover the surface, making it difficult to clean the windows.
3. Fits too tightly to the glass. If the apartment has high humidity and the windows fog up, the fabric can stick to the glass. This will damage not only the fabric, but the entire system.
4. If the window is designed incorrectly, for example, the left side of the glass is a couple of millimeters longer than the right, then when fastened horizontally to the glazing bead, a small opening will form at the bottom, where light will penetrate.

Pros of UNI-2

1. A universal product that can be attached to any window, to the frame from above.
2. It does not cover the glass, because the guides and cassette are located on the frame.
3. There is a gap between the curtain and the glass, condensation will not affect the condition of the product.
4. Even if the window is poorly designed, it will not be noticeable when using this type of roller blinds.

Flaws

1. Ten percent more expensive than the first system.
2. Due to the mounting of the cassette on the frame, there is a limitation on opening the window.

UNI-2 is a little better than the first mechanism, because it can be used for any plastic window, it does not close the window opening.

Examples and photos of roller blinds Uni in the interior

Some examples below show how much space Uni systems save.

Results

The reader can now understand the two systems. At first glance, they do not differ, but there are many differences. Each system has advantages and disadvantages, but UNI-2 is considered universal.

Video: Differences between Uni and Uni-2 roller blinds

Photo selection of the use of roller blinds of different types in the interior: