Transformative renovation

Integral blinds from HiTech Blinds have been supplied by Millennium Windows and Conservatories into a “transformative renovation” of a detached home.

The 1970s-built property in St Peter’s, Jersey, underwent a wholesale renovation earlier this year, with Millennium Windows and Conservatories appointed to supply new windows and doors.

Including the supply of three bifolding doors and feature windows, this included the specification of integral blinds by HiTech Blinds.

Steve Rushton, sales manager at Millennium Windows and Conservatories, said: “It was one of those jobs where you get brought in to supply an extension, but it grew so that over several phases we replaced windows and doors throughout the property.

“This included specification of integral blinds in three bifolding doors at the front back and side of the property as well as the lower units in the feature window on the gable end of the property and bathroom.”

These were supplied by HiTech Blinds in anthracite grey to colour match Smart Visofold bifolds and Alitherm aluminium windows.

The project included the adaptation of the bifolding doors at the front of the property from the original four-sash design to three so that doors could be folded at the customer’s request at a single end of the opening.

This meant the specification of integral blinds within sash units of 1,200mm wide.

“At 1,200mm wide the bifold sashes were very large and on the limits of design capability but the blinds operate with hardly any effort and run exceptionally smoothly, so we and the end customer have been very pleased with how they’ve performed,” Steve said. “For us it’s a key selling point for the HiTech Integral Blind over competitor systems.”

HiTech Blinds offers blinds in two sizes – a 16mm and a 20mm thick option – which means that they are suitable for use with triple glazing, Georgian bars and slim 24mm energy efficient units, in addition to standard 28mm units.

The operational system of this core venetian integral blind offer uses a magnet and guide rail system, lowering, raising and tilting the blinds using a single operation. This also employs a gearing system that means that the blinds are raised or lowered twice the distance of movement of the magnets.

Hermetically sealed inside the IGU, the system also generates minimal resistance in operation. This reduces strain on the gearing guaranteeing through-life performance. This is housed in a slim 30mm and fully symmetrical profile, leaving only a minimal area visible once the window has been glazed.

The blind specialist also mechanically cycle-tests two blinds from each set that it makes each and every week to 10,000 repetitions. All products carry a 10-year guarantee and are available in nine standard colours plus a dual colour option, with white inside and anthracite grey outside. HiTech also offers any RAL colour on special order.

“For me, the market for integral blinds is very much growing,” Steve said. “The product almost sells itself, which includes supply in to new installations and retrofit opportunities in a range of applications including conservatory replacements.”

www.hitechblinds.co.uk