The history of roller shutters: a walk through history
Blinds are a very common element in all Spanish homes, although they are often used in the home. not very common in European countries or in the United States. Even so, these products have a long historyTherefore, in this post we will summarise the history of roller shutters as much as we can.
Origin of the term blind
The term persiana comes from the Latin "persa, -ae", which in English translates as "Persian". This element received this name because in the 18th century they arrived for the first time in Europe, specifically in Venice, from PersiaThe most famous of these are the Venetian blinds.
Who invented the roller shutter as we know it today?
Although blinds have been around for centuries, the first one as we know it today was introduced in the patented in London in 1769However, the first time a sun shading system was installed was in 1761, in the church of St. Peter.
First patented roller shutter
Edward Bevan was in charge of improving the roller shutter system in the 18th century and patented the Venetian blind, also known as the horizontal blind as we know it today.
The Englishman was responsible for patenting a rope and pulley system This is rather curious because in the United States and England, where fewer blinds are installed, mainly because of the climate.
Evolution of history
Although today's shutters date back to the 18th century, these products already existed in Ancient Egypt. In ancient times, people used reeds to prevent sunlight from entering and, at the same time, allow cold air to enter the interior of the house; what was done was to knot the reeds and hang them on the window frame to achieve this thermal insulation.
This is considered to be the origin of roller shutters, although a similar technique was also used in China, this time with bamboo canes. The term, as mentioned above, was a product of the Persians.
They were responsible for bringing the shutters to the European continent, to Venice to be precise. From there they began to spread throughout Europe and, in the Middle Ages, there was an increase in the manufacture of textiles which led merchants to export their blinds to the rest of the continent.
Components of a roller shutter
The shutters consist of various mechanisms which are responsible for their correct operation. It is true that there are different systems, although the basic system usually consists of four parts: drawer, guides, slats and drive.
Drawer
This is the system responsible for supporting the roller shutter. Nowadays we can find three types of drawers:
- Compact systemThe window is installed on top of the window, which makes it easier to install and allows for better thermal and acoustic insulation.
- Mini systemThe heat transfer is located on the outside of the firebox, which means that there is no heat transfer in the drawer.
- Traditional systemThe box as such does not exist, what is done is to perforate the wall and then install it. The problem is that the insulation is less when the wall is perforated.
Guides
Those elements integrated into the structure whose function is to ensure that the shutter is keep in place and not become deformed; therefore, the guides are usually made of high quality materials such as aluminium or PVC.
Lamas
Also known as cloths, the slats are the set of parts that protect the blinds from sunlight. There are three types of blinds:
- Wooden shuttershorizontal system: a simple horizontal system usually made of wood.
- External venetian blindshorizontal system that can be made of metal or PVC. They are characterised by the fact that they allow the intensity of sunlight entering the building to be graduated.
- Roller shuttersThey completely block the passage of light and insulate the house from the outside. They are usually made of PVC, wood or aluminium.
Drive
The drive refers to the mechanism used to operate the roller shutter. Of all the mechanisms currently available, the following stand out three types:
- Tape: simpler system which consists of pulling up or down the roller shutter.
- CardanThe cable runs through the inside of the tube and less force is needed to raise and lower your roller shutters.
- Engine: the phe process is carried out automaticallyThe only thing you need to do is press a button. There are also models that are operated by remote control, so that you no longer need to go near the window.
Types of shutters
It can be said that there are two types of blindsThe latter are those that protect the glass better when it rains. The latter are those that protect the glass better when it rains but thermal bridges make it necessary to install thermal insulation.
There is a wide variety of types of blindsThey can also be found today in different kindssuch as those found in Sistemas 24H.
Roller blind
They have the advantage that completely block the passage of light. The roller blinds are the most common and are a type of exterior insulation that protects the window from weather and noise pollution and can be raised to leave the window perfectly clear.
Venetian
For many years the venetian blinds have been linked to high societyA church in Philadelphia even covered its windows with them. These models reached their peak in the 19th and 20th centuries, when they were used all over the world and were even used for the Empire State Building.
These products stand out for being very robust and functionalThey also maintain an elegant decoration that makes them the perfect models for any home. One of their great advantages is that they allow the light to be regulated and do not hide it completely.
Venetian blinds are made up of a set of sheets, made of different materialsThe slats are positioned horizontally. The inclination of these blades is responsible for regulating the passage of light.
Vertical
They have the same function as a curtain. Your main advantage is that it makes it easier to reduce the entry of light; in addition, its installation is very easy and quick.
Romana
You can to prevent the entry of light and protect the dwelling The advantage of these models is that they require less space, as they do not require a box. The advantage of these models is that they require less space, as they do not require a box; on the other hand, the disadvantage is that in the long term, these models can cause turning and joint problems.
Black Out
Black Out blinds are ideal for those who wish to have a more comfortable and stay in complete darkness. When closed, these models block sunlight from entering the interior, ideal for watching a film at 4 p.m. without having to worry about glare from the sun.
Japanese panel
Lastly, we find the most popular blinds todaythe Japanese panels. These models are made up of various panels that slide along a system of rails, which means they can be used in sliding doors or large windows.
On the other hand, we must remember that, according to the structure The blinds can be divided into:
- CellularThe light can be better controlled and can be opened with a manual or motorised mechanism.
- PleatedThe accordion-like structure of this type of blind is raised and lowered by means of a cord and an upper profile that holds each of the folds in place. In addition, it is essential to choose the layers and colours that best suit your lighting needs.
- PanelThe sliding doors are similar to the Japanese ones and are characterised by a rail system that allows them to be used in sliding doors as well as in large windows.
As you can see, even though the shutters are very common in Spain and are not commonly used in much of Europe, their origin is European.