Pinoleum Blinds - Their History and Uses

In conservatories, especially those with glass roofs, overheating is always a problem. Finding the correct blinds, therefore, are very important. On the other hand, many people enjoy the natural light of such conservatories, and putting up thick blinds to block the sunlight rather defeats the purpose. If you are looking for roof blinds that beat the heat while still allowing natural light through, consider French Pinoleum blinds.

WHAT ARE PINOLEUM BLINDS?

They are made from thin, lightweight reeds, bamboo, or fine wood-weave Pinoleum slats woven or stitched together horizontally. Pinoleum blinds turn the sun's hard glare into a soft, textured glow, and let through more daylight than you might expect. If you have a glass roof in your conservatory, you can even see the sky through them. They provide a cool, airy environment in summer and a cozy feel in winter.

Pinoleum blinds were originally manufactured by the Paris Ballauff factory in 1872 for colonial décor, and are still producing Pinoleum blinds today. Although many companies make Pinoleum blinds today, Ballauff continues to use traditional materials, and their woods, bamboo, and reeds are imported from managed and sustainable forests in Vietnam

WHAT TYPES OF PINOLEUM BLINDS ARE THERE?

Reed Pinoluem blinds, which are woven rather than stitched together, come in a variety of weaving patterns. Depending on the thickness of the reeds and the tightness of the weave, they range from thick, tightly knit blinds providing near-blackout shading to thin, open-weave blinds that let in lots of light. The thinner, looser weaves that let through more light are generally preferred.

Bamboo and wooden slats in particular make excellent roof blinds, as they do not sag in the middle like cloth blinds do. Sunlight is filtered through the narrow gaps between slats, creating a cool, dappled lighting effect. Bamboo and wooden slat Pinoleum blinds also reflect more sunlight and absorb more heat than reed blinds.

WHAT STYLES DO THEY COME IN?

Bamboo and wooden slats are traditionally either left with their natural finish, or are varnished or wood-stained. This style continues to be popular in unpainted, natural wood conservatories. For painted conservatories, Pinoleum blinds come in a variety of colors, or can even be custom-painted to match your conservatory's interior design. They can even be edged in a binding, although most people prefer the unfinished, natural look of the Colonial style.