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Solutions

Sash Window Blinds

Sash windows are often the most handsome windows in a house, but their deep recesses, shutter boxes and sliding sashes need a little thought. Here's how we'd usually dress them so they still open freely. We cover Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, Darlington, Hartlepool and the surrounding area.

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The challenge with sash windows

Sliding sashes move up and down within a deep box frame, and many older sash windows also have shutter boxes, uneven reveals (the inside edges of the window opening) or decorative mouldings. A blind or shutter needs to clear the sashes and catches so the window still opens, and it should suit the proportions of the room. We'll check all of this when we measure.

Inside or outside the recess?

The recess is the opening the window sits in. Fitting a blind inside it shows off the window frame and the depth of the reveal. Fitting above and outside it can make a window look taller and lets a Roman blind stack clear of the glass when it's raised. Which is better depends on how deep the recess is, what's in the way and how much light you want when the blind is up — we'll show you both options.

Shutters and sash windows

Tier-on-tier shutters are a natural partner for sashes: you can open the top for light and keep the bottom closed for privacy. If you'd only like to cover the lower half, café style shutters are a simpler choice.

Softer options

Roman blinds bring texture and pattern that suit period rooms, and can be lined for blackout if they're going in a bedroom. Wooden venetians let you adjust the light in a natural material.

Styles & options

Good choices for sash windows

  • Roman blinds

    Soft folds that suit period rooms, fitted inside the recess or above it depending on the look you'd like.

  • Roller blinds

    Neat and compact, so they sit tidily in a deep recess.

  • Wooden venetians

    Tilt the slats to choose how much light and privacy you get.

  • Tier-on-tier shutters

    The top and bottom open separately, which suits the way sash windows are divided.

  • Café style shutters

    Privacy over the lower sash, with daylight coming through the top.

  • Pleated blinds

    Top-down, bottom-up versions give you privacy while still letting daylight in.

Best for

Where sash window blinds work well

  • Period terraces

    Roman blinds or shutters that suit the character of the house.

  • Street-facing rooms

    Café shutters or top-down blinds, so you get privacy without sitting in the dark.

  • Bedrooms

    Blackout Roman or roller blinds, used together with curtains.

  • Tall sashes

    Tier-on-tier shutters or long Roman blinds that suit the height.

  • Bathrooms

    Faux wood shutters or moisture-resistant rollers that cope with steam.

  • Deep recesses

    Blinds fitted close up to the glass, inside the deep recess.

Features & options

Options to consider

  • Inside or outside the recessIt depends on how deep the recess is and whether there are shutter boxes. We'll talk it through when we measure.
  • Clearance for sash locksWe check the fittings so the blind doesn't catch on the locks when you open the window.
  • Top-down, bottom-upCover the bottom for privacy and leave the top open for light.
  • Tier-on-tier operationThe top and bottom shutter panels open separately, so you can choose.
  • Blackout liningsAvailable for Roman blinds, which we'd usually suggest for bedrooms.
  • Child-safe controlsFitted as standard, so there's nothing extra to ask for.

Why Premier

Why choose Premier Blinds

  • Free Home VisitsExpert advice at your home
  • Made to Measurefor a precise fit
  • Professional InstallationBy our experienced team
  • Manual & MotorisedOptions Available
  • Local Showroomin Stockton-on-Tees

Questions & answers

Your questions about sash window blinds

Will a blind stop my sash window opening?

Not if it's planned properly, so there's no need to worry. We fit blinds so they clear the sashes and locks, and we check this carefully when we measure.

Are shutters suitable for sash windows?

Yes, they suit sash windows particularly well. With tier-on-tier shutters the top and bottom open independently, which echoes the way the window itself is divided.

Can I keep my original window shutters?

Yes. If you have working original shutters, a slim roller or Roman blind can still be fitted for light control. We'll look at the space available and let you know what will fit.

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More about sash window blinds

Premier Blinds measures and fits blinds and shutters for sliding sash windows across Stockton-on-Tees and Teesside, including Roman and roller blinds, wooden venetians, pleated blinds and tier-on-tier and café style shutters.