Roller blinds
A roller blind rolls cloth onto a tube above the window. See how it hangs, how it fits in or outside the recess, and its chain and light gaps.
What it is
A roller blind is cloth on a tube between two brackets, with the chain drive at one end.
Looks and hangs like
The usual South African roller is an open roll. A cassette or valance is an extra.
The cloth comes off the back of the roll, so the roll shows from the room.
The bottom bar is a powder-coated aluminium lath in white, beige, grey, brown or black.
Light and privacy
Some daylight shows at each side of a roller blind, even a blockout.
An outside fit overlaps the opening, which gives the cloth somewhere to fix.
What to check at fitting
Inside the recess, the cloth is about 35 mm narrower than the width ordered, because the brackets and control take it.
The recess must be at least 50 mm deep beyond the window handle, or 90 mm with a cassette.
Outside the recess, the blind overlaps at least 50 mm each side and about 70 mm above.
Suits
A roller is made up to about 3 m wide. Wider openings take more than one blind.
On a sliding door a roller is fitted as two separate blinds.
Cords and child safety
A roller has one chain at one side, and a safety clip or cleat fixes it to the wall.
EN 13120 covers internal blinds including roller blinds.
Window cords and chains can strangle a child.
Keep cords and chains at least 1.6 m above the floor.
Keep beds, cots and furniture away from the window, so a child cannot climb up to a cord.
A cordless blind has no cord to reach. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends cordless window coverings in every home where children live or visit.
A chain tidy or tension device holds a looped chain to the wall.
The Irish body advises asking whether the blind meets the European standard EN 13120, and whether its safety device meets EN 16433 and EN 16434.
This is guidance from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Ireland's consumer protection body.
Ask your installer for a cordless blind, or how the cord or chain will be fixed.
Measuring
Measure the recess at its narrowest, step by step.
Sources
Written by Sill from makers' fitting guides and published safety guidance, and last read on 18 October 2026. Sources are listed below.
- Measuring for all roller blinds (PDF)
- New Blinds: Roller blinds
- English Blinds: Which way should a roller blind be rolled?
- Blinds Online: Roller blinds
- Blinds Direct: Roller blind installation guide (PDF)
- Custom Blinds: Roller blinds in South Africa
- SIS catalogue: SS-EN 13120:2009+A1:2014, internal blinds
- Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission: Window blinds
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Window coverings safety alert (PDF)
- Sill's notes from fitters' and makers' guides