ᐅ Installing external venetian blinds on a shell construction that has been prepped for blinds

Hello everyone!

My wife and I are considering whether to install venetian blinds on our living room windows (4 units, rough opening size 101x213cm (40x84 inches), south/west facing).

Unfortunately, the shell construction of the ground floor (including brickwork) is already finished and prepared for electric blinds, as these were originally planned.

Is it still possible to install venetian blinds instead of blinds? Or is it no longer worth the effort since it’s too late?

How do the additional costs for venetian blinds compare to those for blinds?

Is there anything else to consider regarding venetian blinds?

Venetian blinds can still be installed, but they will incur additional costs since the roller shutter box must be replaced with one designed for Venetian blinds.

The difference in price between electric roller shutters and Venetian blinds (curved with guide rails) is €530 per Venetian blind. Additionally, a wind sensor is needed to protect against storm damage.

Depending on the application, there are different types of slats (curved, Z-slats, double-curved, etc.). It’s important to consider which suits best. For example, Z-slats are supposedly better for bedrooms because they provide complete blackout. I would also recommend guide-railed Venetian blinds, as they are less susceptible to wind and do not rattle as much when there is a draft.

Thank you for your reply.

Roller shutter boxes have not been installed yet.

Golfi90 schrieb:

"Unfortunately," the shell of the ground floor (including the brick cladding) is already completed and prepared for electric blinds because those were originally planned.

Is it still possible to install external venetian blinds (raffstores) instead of the shutters? Or is it no longer worth the effort since it’s already too late?

With our wall construction (double-layer/brick cladding), it definitely would have been possible during the shell stage without any difference. Raffstore boxes were plastered from the inside, unlike shutters. Keep in mind that the window positioning might be different because raffstores require more depth. In our case, the windows with raffstores are recessed/further inside the house compared to those with shutters. We don’t have mixed façade sides where this would look visually disturbing.

Raffstores instead of shutters: if you expect to use the shutters a lot—meaning lower them frequently for privacy or sunlight protection—then definitely go for raffstores in living areas. They are a thousand times better. If not, then you might as well save the money.

Golfi90 schrieb:

How do the additional costs for raffstores compare to those for shutters?

Without a general contractor contract, we paid about €500 each (special color) for shutters and around €1000 each (no special color) for raffstores. No Z-lamella or similar. Prices included radio motors. Our raffstores are on average larger than the shutters. I have also seen higher price premiums for raffstores from other suppliers.
The entire radio control system, wind sensors, switches, etc., for both shutters and raffstores, cost us €500 through self-installation and direct purchasing.

Hello,

Golfi90 schrieb:

Is there anything else to consider regarding venetian blinds?

The roller shutter boxes have different dimensions for venetian blinds, so there might be an issue there. Also, the windows are installed noticeably deeper inside the wall with venetian blinds. So the change is not that straightforward.

Good luck!

Andreas

The exterior window sills are clad differently on our house because the roller shutters are set deeper. One brick is not enough here; instead, one and a half bricks are staggered. The roller shutter sits directly on the brickwork. There may be other options using trim or similar, but that would have resulted in a difference in the brick-clad shell for us.

In fact, we had all the exterior window sills with roller shutters redone, as the window manufacturer's solution and planning were poor. So this can still be adjusted.