Custom Panel Glide Blinds Melbourne
Panel Blinds are blinds which have panels of fabrics hanging from a track which open and close horizontally. The track houses channels which individually holds the flat fabric panels. These channels assist in the movement of the panels when operated with a wand stick. The panels are generally attached to the track with industrial standard Velcro.
Choose from multiple layout options. It is wise to go for a layout option which replicates the opening of the door or window. This way you can just open the first panel to gain the access.
Panel Glides can be mounted either on the inside of the window frame or on the outside, on the window frame or wall. To facilitate the movement of the rather large panels, it is strongly recommended to go for an outside mount. Also, to keep the panels clear off the window when in open position, consider going one panel measure over and above the window width. So if your window is 1500mm and say each panel is 500mm, get a 2000mm wide panel blind track.
With regards to the history of Panel Blinds, they are fairly new in the market and have been a popular choice for covering large window spans. They have been also used as room or space dividers due to their ease of operation and the uniquely large fabric panels. They are a blind of choice in the window coverings industry when it comes to pet and child safety. This is due to the fact that the panels are not chained and are operated with a wand, not with loose dangling cords.
Panel Blinds are available in many versatile styles and multiple choice of fabrics. We will next go through the common types of styles that exist in the market today and the types of fabrics each style can be made into.
Panel Blinds by style of construction:
- Classic Style Panel Blinds
- Sewless Style Panel Blinds
- Plantation Style Panel Blinds
Panel Blinds by the type of fabric:
- Blockout Panel Blinds
- Translucent Panel Blinds
- Sheer View Panel Blinds
When it comes to Panel Blinds, one can be creative and choose from the variety of styles available today. One can either go with a plain fabric panel or even add a dash of character with the Sewless or Plantation styles.
1. Classic Panel Blinds: Classic Style is the basic type of panel blinds. Plain panels of fabrics are attached to the track. These are widely available in the market and deemed to be the cheapest type as compared to the other two styles due to the ease of manufacturing.
When choosing the fabric for a Classic Style Panel Blinds one can opt to go for a patterned fabric to lend the room a bit of a designer appeal.
2. Sewless Panel Blinds: Sewless Panel Blinds are manufactured using an aluminium extrusion at the back of each panel into which the fabric is tucked. This creates a fine tuck in front of the panel at even sections. There are no holes made into the fabric to do this, hence the name Sewless Style. The regular intervals create an elegant look and give a certain design quotient to the otherwise plain panels.
As Panel Blinds are generally opted to cover a large area, it can sometimes look bland and boring. To overcome this, a sewless style is apt.
3. Plantation Panel Blinds: Plantation Panel Blinds are manufactured using timber battens attached at regular intervals at the front and back of the panels. The colour of the timber battens can be chosen to co-ordinate with the fabric selected.
The battens give a stylish finish to an otherwise plain panel of fabric. The wood used for battens is generally timber. A style tip is to match the colour of the battens with the existing wooden furniture to tie the whole look together. The battens have a round profile at the front and a flat profile at the back of the panel. This way, the blinds will look fantastic even from the outside.
Next, we will look at the type of materials available and their associated features.
As Panel Blinds are used to cover a wide span of area, it is crucial to choose the right type of fabric. Consider points such as:
- Amount of light required in the room
- Amount of sun that hits the window
- Privacy requirements
- View outside the room
After deciding on the above points it will be easier to choose the fabric which will work best:
1. Blockout Panel Blinds: If blocking out light completely is the primary purpose to install the blinds, these blinds will work best. They are excellent insulators and great for reducing the amount of sound that enters a room. The fabric is generally blockout on its own or has a back coating.
2. Translucent Panel Blinds: Translucent Panel Blinds will filter the light entering a room without blocking it completely. Vision on either side of the blinds is not available. Ideal for dark rooms which require privacy.
3. Sheer View Panel Blinds: These blinds will allow one to see through them during the day time without allowing someone from the outside to look inside. With Sheer View Panel Blinds one can enjoy uninterrupted views of the outside without compromising on the privacy. This phenomenon reverses at night time when there is more light inside as compared to the outside. Consider having blockout curtains if privacy at night is an issue.
Panel Blinds are made up of series of flat fabric panels mounted on a unique tracking system. The fabric panels glide over each other when the blinds are opened. The stacking and the layout can be chosen keeping in mind the obstructions in the path of the operation and the layout of the existing door and/or window.
The blinds can be opened or closed with a wand which controls the first (lead) panel which in turn controls all the panels in sequence. As the name suggests, the panel glides can be simply glided open or close.
Panels are attached to the track with an industrial standard Velcro and generally have a width of 450mm to 900mm. The panels overlap on each other slightly when in closed position to give added privacy.
Since the early 1990s at least 15 young Australian children have tragically died as a result of unfortunate strangulation incidents involving blinds cords and chains.
Australian Child Safety law requires all blinds retailers to supply child safety devices with all kinds of blinds which have loose cords and chains hanging. It is one’s own responsibility to make sure that the child safety cleat is installed and any loose cords/chains are wrapped. Warning Stickers supplied with the blinds should never be removed.
Panel Blinds are considered to be one of the safest type of blinds when it comes to child safety due to no loose cords hanging from the blinds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Panel glide blinds are modern window coverings made of wide fabric panels that slide horizontally along a track system. Each panel moves smoothly across individual channels and overlaps slightly when closed to improve privacy and light control. At Ravi Blinds Pty Ltd, panel glides are custom designed to suit sliding doors, large windows, and open living areas, giving homeowners a sleek alternative to traditional vertical blinds.
Yes, panel glide blinds are specifically designed for wide openings such as sliding glass doors, patio doors, and expansive windows. The large fabric panels glide effortlessly across a track and stack neatly to one side, allowing easy access to the doorway while maintaining a clean, contemporary appearance. This makes them one of the most practical solutions for modern homes with large glazing areas.
Panel glide blinds control light and privacy through overlapping fabric panels that block or filter sunlight depending on the chosen material. Options such as blockout, sunscreen, or light filtering fabrics allow homeowners to customise how much natural light enters the space. When closed, the overlapping panels minimise gaps and help create a comfortable and private indoor environment.
Yes, panel glide blinds are fully customisable and can be made to suit a wide range of window and door sizes. The number of panels, track configuration, and panel width can all be adjusted to match the layout of your space. Custom installations from Ravi Blinds ensure the blinds open in the same direction as your door or window for smooth and practical operation.
Panel glide blinds are widely considered a stylish alternative to vertical blinds and heavy curtains. Their wide fabric panels create a more contemporary look while offering similar functionality for light control and privacy. Because they stack neatly and operate smoothly, panel glides deliver a cleaner aesthetic that works well in modern interior design.
Most panel glide blinds are operated using a simple wand control attached to the lead panel. Moving the wand allows the panels to glide across the track and stack together when opened. This system eliminates dangling cords, making operation easy and contributing to a streamlined, modern appearance.
Yes, panel glide blinds can be coordinated with other window coverings to maintain a consistent interior style. Many homeowners choose fabrics that match roller blinds or Roman blinds in the same room. This approach creates a cohesive look throughout the home while maintaining practical functionality for different window types.
Panel glide blinds are considered a safer option for family homes because they typically use wand operation instead of cords or chains. Eliminating loose cords reduces potential safety risks and aligns with modern child safety recommendations for window furnishings. This makes them a practical choice for households with young children.
Yes, panel glide systems are versatile enough to be used as room dividers in open plan homes or offices. The wide fabric panels can span large openings and slide aside when not needed, creating flexible spaces without permanent walls. This makes them a stylish solution for separating living areas while maintaining an open feel.
For the best fit and performance, professional measuring and installation are recommended. Custom installations ensure the track alignment, panel spacing, and stacking configuration work perfectly with your windows or doors. Ravi Blinds provides expert guidance and precise installation to ensure panel glide blinds operate smoothly and enhance the overall look of your space.
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