Pleated Blinds

A pleated blind is a sun protection product for windows. It usually consists of a folded fabric that is guided between two aluminum profiles and hangs on the inside of the window. Pleated blinds keep out direct sunlight and the prying eyes of neighbors and provide privacy, glare protection and sun protection.

The word pleated blind is derived from the French verb plissé and means folded or pleated fabric.

The exact inventor of pleated window blinds has not been clearly established, but pleated fabrics were used by the ancient Egyptians 5,000 years ago to make fancy garments.

Pleated fabric is a material that is folded into an accordion shape. The material can be natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, silk etc. or synthetic fabrics such as polyester. The accordion folding technique makes it possible to fold a long fabric into a small fabric package. The advantage of this folding technique is that the fabric package can be opened and closed again easily and cleanly as often as required.

Pleated blinds can be bought in specialist stores for sun protection products, DIY stores and online. Buying pleated blinds online offers the advantage of a price comparison and access to an extensive range of fabrics, colors and size configurations. On the other hand, when you visit a store, you can touch and feel the fabric immediately - an experience that is not possible online without ordering fabric samples first.

That depends on the dimensions of your window and the desired mounting method for the pleated blind. We offer Schuette® brand pleated blinds at a very good price/quality ratio and from as little as €12.99.

The cost of installing pleated blinds depends on various factors and can vary. Schuette® pleated blinds are designed in such a way that you can easily install them yourself at home and therefore have no additional costs.

This depends on the dimensions of your window and the desired pleated blind installation method. If you buy pleated blinds from Schuette®, you can easily install them yourself. Schuette® pleated blinds are therefore significantly cheaper than pleated blinds from other manufacturers, as there is no need for a professional to install them.

If you have chosen a suitable fixing method for your windows and the right mountings, installing a Schuette®. pleated blind is very easy and you can do it yourself without any problems. With clamp holders, measuring the windows is particularly easy and the pleated blinds can be installed in just a few minutes. When installing with screw brackets and adhesive brackets, it is important to determine the exact width of the glazing bead of your windows, as the pleated blind hangs in this glazing bead. The subsequent installation is then also very simple. With screw brackets, you should pre-drill the holes with a cordless screwdriver and a small drill (⌀ 1.0 - 2.0 mm).

The prices for pleated blinds vary depending on the size, material and manufacturer, but can be a cost-effective option in the long term. This is because with pleated blinds you are not just buying something to cover the window, you are investing in your home and, above all, in your quality of life.

The cost of pleated blinds varies depending on the size and quality of the materials and the manufacturer. At Schuette® you will find a particularly good price/quality ratio. Pleated blinds are not just for looks, they can also help to reduce energy costs. Pleated blinds also increase living comfort and quality of life.

Roughly speaking, a pleated blind consists of a pleated fabric and profile rails with handles for opening or closing of the fabric. It can be adjusted to any height on the entire window pane by sliding the bottom and/or top profile up and/or down. By pulling the fabric apart, more of the window is covered and the pleats become smoother. If you push the profile rails together, the shape of the pleats becomes clearer and more of the window becomes visible.

A pleated blind should not be too tight, but also not too loose. If it is too tight, the tension cords can wear out quickly. If a pleated blind sits too loosely on the window, it will not hold its position and will slide down. A pleated blind should sit in such a way that it holds its position permanently and does not slide down. Schuette® pleated blinds are adjusted to the specified height, are easy to operate and hold reliably and permanently on the window.

Light absorption indicates the proportion of incident sunlight that is absorbed by the pleated fabric and released into the room in the form of heat over a certain period of time. The higher the absorption value, the more heat the fabric absorbs, e.g. from the sun's rays. Dark fabrics absorb more sunlight than light fabrics and charge themselves with more heat. The sum of absorption + transmission + reflection is always 100% and corresponds to the strength of the sunlight hitting the fabric.

Transmission, or light transmittance, determines how much light passes through the fabric into the room. The lower the value, the less light enters the room through the fabric and the slower a room warms up. The sum of transmission + absorption + reflection is always 100% and corresponds to the strength of the sunlight hitting the fabric.

The light reflection of a pleated blind indicates what proportion of the sunlight hitting the fabric is reflected outwards. The higher the value, the more light and heat is reflected and the less enters the room. White fabrics achieve a higher reflection than colored fabrics. The sum of reflection + transmission + absorption is always 100% and corresponds to the intensity of the sunlight hitting the fabric.

The cords in the pleated blind have the task of keeping the entire pleated blind system tensioned and thus attached to the window. To do this, the cords are guided through the aluminum profiles and through the pleated fabric. Inside the aluminum profiles, the cords are attached to tension springs, which provide the necessary permanent tension on the cords. In order to achieve the best possible permanent tension in both aluminum profiles and at each of the 4 ends of the pleated blind, the cords cross inside the pleated blind profiles.

Pleated blinds offer sun protection, privacy and stylish decoration for windows.

Pleated blinds with fabrics that have a heat protection coating or pleated blinds with blackout fabrics are particularly suitable against heat. These include Schuette® Thermo pleated blinds and honeycomb pleated blinds.

Pleated blinds with an insulating function are suitable against the cold. These include, for example, honeycomb pleated blinds from Schuette®.

Thermo pleated blinds are pleated blinds with special fabrics that reflect a lot of sunlight and solar energy to the outside. Thermo pleated blinds therefore have advantages over pleated blinds with conventional pleated fabrics. The most important properties of thermal pleated blinds include Darkening to blackout, more comfortable room temperatures, greater privacy, noise reduction and UV protection.

Choosing the right pleated blind depends on your preferences. If privacy is the top priority, any pleated fabric that is 100% opaque can be chosen. If more pleasant room temperatures are required, Schuette®-Thermo pleated blinds or darkening Schuette®-Honeycomb pleated blinds are the best choice. The latter also offer a complete blackout effect. As far as colors are concerned, there is something for every interior design style and taste in every collection.

With pleated blinds, a distinction can be made between the fabrics and the installation method. Pleated blind fabrics are divided into: light-filtering, insulating, darkening, single-colored, multi-colored or with a pattern. In terms of installation type, a distinction is made between pleated blinds without drilling and pleated blinds with drilling, as well as pleated blinds for clamping and pleated blinds for gluing.

Fixed pleated blinds are attached to the top and bottom of the window frame or to the glazing bead and can be moved freely on the window (= from bottom to top and from top to bottom). The pleated blinds are operated manually using handles on the aluminum profiles. When the window is opened, these pleated blinds move with the window sash. Due to gravity, the width of tensioned pleated blinds is limited. From a width of 140-150 cm, the aluminum profiles can bend minimally.

Free-hanging pleated blinds are usually attached to the top of the window frame or in front of the window recess and have a fixed top profile. The fabric can then be lowered from top to bottom. Free-hanging pleated blinds are operated using chain or cord pulls on the side or contactless motors. Because the top profile of free-hanging pleated blinds is fixed at several points, such pleated blinds can be made wider without the profiles bending.

For wooden windows, both pleated blinds with clamp brackets and screw brackets can be used. With screw brackets, you can choose between small plates that are placed in the glazing bead or 90° angles that are screwed to the front of the glazing bead or to the frame. When using clamps with a screw mechanism, care must be taken not to overtighten the clamp mechanism, as this can leave marks in the wood. Adhesive holders are not recommended for wooden windows because the softeners in the adhesive can attack the wood and the paintwork.

Pleated blinds are suitable for various rooms such as the living room, bedroom, kitchen and office. Depending on the material, they are also suitable for the bathroom. For the bathroom and other damp rooms such as the kitchen, you should make sure that the pleated blind fabrics are made of synthetic materials such as polyester, as such fabrics do not absorb moisture. Such fabrics are also easier to clean.

Pleated kitchen blinds are an excellent way to let light into the room and provide sufficient privacy at the same time. Both factors are essential for a pleasant stay in the kitchen. Conventional pleated fabrics (i.e. without a thermal effect) in medium-light colors are best, as they still let enough light through, are easier to clean and stains are not immediately visible during cooking.

Decisive factors in the bathroom are privacy and sufficient light transmission. To ensure that the bathroom is flooded with light and that valuable privacy is maintained so that the morning routine can be mastered, light shades should be chosen. Our experts are convinced by the Premium and Dolomite collections, as they have a classic and timeless look while offering all the essential functional properties. As the pleated fabrics are made of polyester, they are suitable for damp rooms and therefore absorb less moisture than natural fabrics such as cotton.

A living room should be cozy and evoke warm feelings. It is the common place for meetings with friends and family and usually the most used room in our home. Pleated blinds for the living room should therefore be stylish and their light transmission should be adjustable. Here in particular, you can play with colors by matching the fabric color to the rest of the decorative elements. We recommend classic beige and gray tones or trendy colors such as petrol, lilac or sunny yellow.

When you think of the bedroom, sleep, privacy and intimacy come to mind. In general, privacy and intimacy should be as high as possible. In addition, our quality of sleep is influenced by the amount of light and the temperature of the room. The former should be as low as possible, as too much light can distract our brain from going into sleep mode. On the other hand, the temperature should be just right: neither too low nor too high. Pleated blinds for bedrooms should therefore offer privacy, blackout and temperature control. Therefore, the best pleated blinds for bedrooms are honeycomb pleated blinds.

Modern pleated blinds often have simple designs and are available in different colors. On the other hand, if you care about your own well-being and that of the earth, you are always on trend. Therefore, it can be said that every type of pleated blind is and will be modern.

That depends on the pleated blind fabrics you choose. There are transparent, semi-transparent, opaque and completely blackout fabrics. You cannot see through tightly woven, opaque fabrics and blackout fabrics. You will only be able to see shadowy movements caused by changes in light. Pleated blinds with the right pleated fabrics offer privacy and only allow limited light to pass through.

Pleated blinds are resistant to mold because they are made of easy-care materials that generally do not absorb moisture. To prevent mold in the best possible way, we recommend choosing polyester fabrics instead of cotton or other natural materials.

Pleated blinds can be opaque at night if they are designed for this and the pleated blind fabric has been selected accordingly. The fabrics in our Premium, Thermo, Dolomite and Honeycomb ranges are completely opaque and do not let any prying eyes through. The Melange quality has a slightly more open weave and is on the borderline between opaque and semi-transparent. If you would like to see the difference, we will be happy to send you fabric samples on request.

Depending on the type of fabric, translucent pleated blinds can be opaque. If fabrics are tightly woven, they do not allow any glances through, but as pleated fabrics are usually very thin, sunlight still enters the room through the fibers in the form of diffuse light. Such fabrics are then opaque and still let in the daylight and sunlight that is so important for our well-being.

Only to a certain extent. For privacy, it is very important that you cannot see completely through a pleated fabric. This is the case with opaque and blackout pleated and honeycomb pleated fabrics. Opaque fabrics are tightly woven and do not allow any glances through, but sunlight diffuses into the room through the thin fabric. During the day, it is usually not possible to see into the room from outside through such fabrics. If the room is illuminated, you can only see shadowy outlines of movement from outside at night. Schuette® blackout pleated blinds with honeycomb fabrics, for example, are completely opaque, while our opaque pleated blind fabrics are the Premium, Thermo and Dolomite collections.

The main difference between pleated and honeycomb pleated blinds lies in the structure of the fabric used. Honeycomb pleated blinds with honeycomb fabrics have a honeycomb shape for improved insulation. They look something like two pleated fabrics glued together.

Blackout pleated blinds are ideal for completely darkening a room. Our Schuette® honeycomb pleated blinds darken rooms almost completely and are therefore the best choice.

Yes, it is possible to combine pleated blinds with curtains to vary the appearance.

Yes, it is possible to install two pleated blinds next to each other to provide different light and privacy options. This is particularly useful for glass panes that exceed a width of 180 cm. We recommend mounting with drilling or gluing.

Yes, pleated blinds can be attached to roof windows to regulate light and heat. Skylight pleated blinds are equipped with special guide rails to prevent the pleated blinds from sagging when installed on sloping roofs.

Pleated blinds are usually attached to the window sash or, in the case of fixed windows, to the window frame, i.e. to the glazing bead. There are various brackets for this, namely screw brackets, clamp brackets and adhesive brackets.

Pleated blinds can darken to varying degrees depending on the type of fabric and design: from light to medium to full.

Pleated blinds offer sun protection, privacy and decorative options compared to other window decorations.

Yes, pleated blinds are energy-saving as they can improve thermal insulation. Depending on the type of fabric, some are more energy efficient than others.

Pleated blinds can offer additional functions such as soundproofing and insect protection.

It depends on the installation situation in your home. Pleated blinds are usually fitted directly to the window, where they form a single unit with the movable window sash. With roller blinds, on the other hand, you can also cover the entire window recess (= the window opening in the wall) and make the entire window "disappear" in this way.

To ensure that a pleated blind fits the window perfectly, it should be measured before ordering. There are different measuring methods depending on the fixing method. Pleated blinds that are placed directly in front of the window pane in the glazing bead and screwed or glued on there must also fit the width of the glazing bead. Pleated blinds that are attached to the window with clamps hang in front of the window frame and can therefore be ordered wider than the window pane.

The glazing bead is the small frame that holds the window pane and the rubber seals in position. The glazing bead can be drilled and is a spare part for a window that can be reordered or repaired after the pleated blind has been removed.

To ensure that a pleated blind fits your window perfectly, the window must be measured before ordering. There are different measuring methods depending on the fixing method. Pleated blinds that are placed directly in front of the window pane in the glazing bead and screwed or glued on there must also fit the width of the glazing bead. Pleated blinds that are attached to the window with clamps hang in front of the window frame and can therefore be ordered wider than the window pane.

Our pleated blind cords have a thickness of 0.8 mm with an elasticity of &alt2.6% (5N/20N).

There are different measuring methods depending on the fixing method. Pleated blinds with drilling or for gluing must fit the width of the glazing bead and should not be wider than it. No-drill pleated blinds with clamps hang in front of the window frame and can therefore be ordered wider than the window pane or glazing bead.

The best fastening depends on your individual needs and window configurations. Typical fixing options are clamp brackets, adhesive brackets or screw brackets on the window sash or window frame.

The choice of color depends on your personal taste and the room design. Popular colors are white, beige, grey and other neutral tones that go well with different interior styles. Colorful pleated blinds can be used to set fashionable accents.

Popular colors are neutral tones, but there are also pleated blinds with patterned designs or colors that match the interior design.

The width of a pleated blind that is attached with clamps should be around 2-3 cm wider than the window pane to ensure complete coverage. However, pleated blinds can also be fitted directly in front of the window pane so that they form a solid unit with the window and blend harmoniously into the background. In such cases, the pleated blind must fit into the glazing bead of the window.

When buying pleated blinds, you should pay attention to the right size, the fabric and the type of fastening (e.g. clamp bracket, adhesive bracket or screw bracket) to suit your needs.

The depth of the aluminum profiles and plastic side caps is 23-25 mm. The pleat height of our conventional pleated fabrics is 20 mm.

The cells of our honeycomb fabrics are 25 mm deep when pushed together, but as soon as you open the honeycomb pleated blind, this depth is reduced to approx. 18 mm when the pleated blind is fully extended.

Please note that there must be sufficient space between a pleated blind and the window pane to allow air circulation and dissipation of trapped heat. Our Suprafix brackets are supplied with an appropriate spacer to ensure secure and optimum installation.

Pleated blind fabrics are made from various materials, including polyester, cotton and also special coated fabrics for specific functions. The choice of material depends on your requirements. A pleated blind also consists of aluminum profiles, plastic parts, screws and metal tension springs.

Yes, at Schuette® we offer the possibility to customize pleated blinds according to the exact dimensions and design preferences of the customer to ensure a perfect fit and appearance. Pleated blinds from Schuette® offer a particularly good price/quality ratio.

If a pleated blind is too short, the cords must be lengthened. At Schuette®, we always leave a few centimetres of extra cord hanging under the knots that we tie on the cords so that adjustments can be made. If the pleated blind is correctly aligned and fits perfectly, these protruding cords can be cut off. If a pleated blind is as ordered but unfortunately still too short, even after using the extra cord length, longer cords can be inserted by us so that installation is still possible. Please contact our customer service for this.

If a pleated blind is too long, you can usually shorten it to get the right length. To shorten a pleated blind, you can move the knots on the cords and thus reduce the length of the cords.

Make sure that you tie the knots at exactly the same height on both sides. Otherwise the aluminum profiles will hang askew. On request, we can send you a guide for repositioning the knots.

If the pleated blind is too long in width, we can shorten it by a maximum of 5 cm on request from our customer service department.

To shorten a pleated blind, you can reposition the knots on the cords to reduce the length of the cords and adjust the pleated blind to a lower height. Make sure that the knots on both sides are at exactly the same height. Otherwise the aluminum profiles will hang askew. We can send you instructions on how to reposition the knots on request.

A misaligned pleated blind may be due to incorrect installation or uneven tension. Check the installation and correct it accordingly. A crooked aluminum profile can also indicate that the two cords of the pleated blind are of different lengths. Cords may have become jammed or slipped out of the hold-downs of the tensioning shoes.

If a pleated blind is hanging crookedly, check the installation and adjust the tensioning or brackets to straighten it. A crooked aluminum profile indicates that the two cords of the pleated blind are of different lengths. Cords may have become jammed or slipped out of the hold-downs of the tensioning shoes.

Pleated blinds are held in place by tensioning them on the window frame or sash. To do this, so-called tensioning shoes, to which the tensioning cords of the pleated blind are attached, are placed on holding plates. The tension on the cords is created by tension springs inside the two aluminum profiles. If the tension is too low, the pleated blind will not hold onto the window and will slide down. If the tension is too high, the pleated blind is very difficult to operate and the tension springs can be damaged.

The cord tension can be changed by repositioning the knots on the cords of the lower tensioning shoes. Care must be taken to set the knots at exactly the same height on both sides. We can send you instructions on how to reposition the knots on request.

You can usually carry out minor repairs to our Schuette® pleated blinds yourself, such as adjusting cord tension or replacing brackets. We have set up a repair service for more difficult matters such as inserting new cords or shortening the width. Please contact our customer service in the chat. We will be happy to help you.

If a pleated blind does not hold, this may be due to loose tensioning or damaged brackets. If the tension is too loose, the cords can be tightened slightly so that they are tighter.

A slipping pleated blind may indicate that the tension is too low. Perhaps the cords are set too long or the brackets and tension springs are damaged. If the cords are too loose, they can be tightened slightly by moving the knots further up.

A sagging pleated blind may indicate wear or insufficient tension. It may be necessary to replace or tighten the pleated blind. Please contact our customer service team in the chat. We will be happy to help you.

To remove a pleated blind, you should first push the two aluminum profiles with the pleated blind fabric together and hold the fabric package with the profiles. Then carefully pull the four tensioning shoes from the brackets (= towards the window pane) and wrap them around the aluminum profiles together with the cords.

The tension of the pleated blind is regulated by tension springs inside the aluminum profiles and can be varied slightly. A higher tension leads to aluminum profiles that are more difficult to move and a reduction in tension leads to easier operation of the profiles.

Caution: A tensioned pleated blind must have a minimum tension in order to remain permanently attached to the window, and the tension springs can be overtensioned and thus damaged. Overstretched springs no longer provide sufficient tension to hold a pleated blind on the window.

A pleated blind that is too short can lead to gaps in the window and impair the desired privacy and sun protection. It is advisable to choose the right size for a particular window. If the fabric length is visually suitable for you, but only the cords are too short, we can fit longer cords on site. Please contact our customer service for more information.

Yes, with Schuette® pleated blinds you can extend the pleated blind cord. We always supply our pleated blinds with some extra cord under the knots. And in the event that this cord is not sufficient, we offer a low-cost repair service for Schuette® pleated blinds. Please contact our customer service team in the chat. We will be happy to help you.

The guarantee for pleated blinds varies depending on the manufacturer and model, but can usually be several years. Check the guarantee conditions when purchasing.

The adjustment of a pleated blind can vary depending on the model. Your Schuette® pleated blind is generally compatible with various Schuette® fixing methods. Please contact our customer service in the chat. We will be happy to help you.

Light dirt and stains:

Stubborn dirt:

Fly dirt can be removed with a mild detergent and a damp cloth. But please be careful and avoid rubbing. Rubbing can damage the coating of the pleated fabric and cause stains.

Pleated blinds should not be ironed as this can damage the specially treated pleated fabric and smooth out the pleats.

Pleated blinds are generally hand washable. Machine washing is not possible. Check the manufacturer's care instructions. Some pleated blinds can only be cleaned by dusting or carefully wiping them down.

To maintain pleated blinds for a long time, they should above all be operated regularly to keep the pleated fabric and tension cords flexible. Cleaning should be limited to dry brushing and dusting. Although the fabrics can be washed by hand, the finish of the fabric can be damaged, particularly in the case of pleated blinds that have been hanging on the window for a long time, and this can have a negative effect on the hardness of the fabric and therefore its ability to be folded back.