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Blind Mounting Face Fix Vs Recess Vs Ceiling

Blind Mounting Face Fix vs Recess vs Ceiling

Where to mount blinds and curtains? It’s one of the most common questions we get asked.

Whether you are looking for roman blinds, roller blinds, venetian blinds or curtains in Melbourne there are different mounting and installation options, each with their own respective pros and cons. How your blinds are mounted can impact the level of light, the functionality of windows, doors, handles and ultimately change the appearance of your room.

This guide is for blind installation on windows, although these options also cover information for doors, sliding doors and openings.

There are two common ways that roller blinds, romans and venetians are mounted being Face Fixed and Recess Fixed. Also, then there are two more advanced mounting options for roller blinds and curtains which are Wall Fix or Ceiling Fix.

Face Fixing Blinds:

The first is when your blind is mounted on the face or front of the architrave of the window, door or opening. Most windows in Australian homes will likely have hardwood timber or MDF architraves installed. Installing the blinds onto the front of the architrave is referred to as “Face Fixed”, “Face Fixing” or “Face Fit”.

Face Fixed Roller Blinds

Face Fixed Roller Blinds

Pros of Face Fixed:

  • A face fit roller blind will usually provide the highest level of privacy and blackout if the fabric is reverse rolled on the tube. (more on over roll and under roll blinds)
  • Face fit Romans will also offer a high level of blackout.
  • This can be ideal for bedrooms especially if light wakes you up easily.
  • Flush Fitment commonly installs this orientation for shift workers and those who enjoy a sleep in.
  • Allows a Roller Blind to have about 35mm to 55mm overlap of fabric on the side architrave or a square set window frame.

Negatives of Face Fixed:

  • Heavier blinds such as romans or venetians can put quite a bit of weight and strain on the architrave.
  • Timber and PVC Faux Timber Venetians can weight up to 15kg for a single window furnishing, and face fix mounting brackets will bend over time.
  • Roller Blinds that are under rolled can sometimes have a white backing and it’s most visible when face fixed
  • Roller blind bracket & hardware is visually more prominent.
  • The top of the architrave is not visible.

Recess Fixing Blinds:

The Second option, recess fit is when your blind is mounted on inside your window frame.

Recess Fit Roller Blinds

Recess Fit Roller Blinds

Recess Fixed Pros:

  • With enough clearance you can over roll or under roll fabric
  • Installing into a timber window frame is stronger than an architrave.
  • An ideal option for screen roller blinds or venetians.
  • Bracket hardware is more concealed.
  • More face clearance is left for other window furnishings such as curtains.

Recess Fixed Negatives:

  • A 20-30mm gap will remain either side of the window furnishing.
  • A blackout blind in this orientation will still let light in.
  • The blind may obstruct window and door handles.
  • The blind control may be a bit harder to access.
Gaps of light on a recess fixed blockout blind

Above you can see gaps of light around the edges on a recess fixed blockout blind.

Wall & Ceiling Fixed Blinds:

Fixing blinds into hollow plasterboard or Gyprock might sound crazy. In some instances it’s unavoidable and the only way to have blinds installed. For example, if you have floor to ceiling double glazed windows, the last thing you want to do is drill into an aluminium frame as this can void a window manufacturers warranty.

Ceiling Fixed Roller Blinds with Ramset Anchors

Ceiling Fixed Roller Blinds with Ramset Anchors

When we install blinds into plasterboard and we cannot fix into the wall studs or batten out with timber. The Flush Fitment team uses Ramset Hollow Wall Anchors.

The Anchors Large Flange & Legs Prevents The Anchor From Pulling Into The Wall

The Anchors Large Flange & Legs Prevents The Anchor From Pulling Into The Wall

These anchors are rated at 10KG each:

  • For Roller blinds we typically install four per blinds (40KG combined rating).
  • For Curtains and Roman blinds we install a minimum of six (60KG combined rating).

Wall & Ceiling Fixed Pros:

  • Creates the illusion of larger windows
  • Avoid drilling into an aluminum window frame
  • Ideal for floor to ceiling windows
  • Can be used in conjunction with a face or recess fixed blind.

Wall & Ceiling Fixed Negatives:

  • Not as strong as fixing to the frame or architrave.
  • Installation is more time consuming and can cost more.
  • Battening is required for heavier window furnishings such as timber Venetians.
Wall Fixed Curtains Bracket Under Cornice

Wall Fixed Curtain Bracket Under Cornice

Wall Fixed S Fold Tracked Curtains

Wall Fixed S Fold Tracked Curtains

When installing into hollow plasterboard you only have once chance to get it right, so an experienced installer is a must.

Square set windows:

Square set windows are when there is no timber window frame or architrave to install the blinds into. Usually, a square set window is surrounded by plasterboard both on the face and in the recess or window reveal. Some Melbourne homes from the 1800s can even have cement rendered brick around the window frame. Installation into cement render or plasterboard is quite standard although it requires a little bit more installation knowledge than the novice blind installer or handyman.

Roller Blinds Installed in a Square Set Window Frame

Roller Blinds Installed in a Square Set Window Frame

Deciding where to install your blinds:

You might ask, when is it best to face fix or recess fix? What factors do I need to consider when deciding? Am I able to do both for a DOUBLE ROLLER BLIND set up? What is the best way to fix a BLOCK OUT Roller Blind? How about a SCREEN or LIGHT FILTERING Roller Blind?

The main factor to consider is the function of the room. What is it that you want to achieve in terms of design and functionality? Do you want to control how much light is going in? Does the room need to be dark when you want it to be? Is privacy a concern? Do you want to be able to let light in without sacrificing privacy? Do you want to be able to see outside while maintaining privacy?

Once you have decided the function of every room in the house and choose the design you want, you can then figure out which Roller Blind needs to be face fixed, recessed fixed, wall fixed or ceiling.

Our Recommendations:

  • Bedroom’s with a single blockout roller blind is recommended to be face fixed, to keep the room dark when you want to sleep.
  • Living area windows and sliding doors doesn’t have to be pitch black when the Roller Blinds are shut. So recess fixing a Roller Blind can be used.
  • A Screen/Light Filtering blinds is recommended for recess fit.
  • You can use more than one mounting option, a Light Filtering blind can be recess fit and the blockout blind can be face fit.

Speak with a member of the Flush Fitment team on 0484 561 107. We would be happy to guide you through choosing the design and functionality of your blinds and curtains.

This Post Has One Comment
  1. Thank you for your blind mounting tips! My husband and I want to mount some blinds on the east of our home. It looks like we should get them fixed to the walls so the light doesn’t get in when we’re sleeping.

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