Reinventing a classic

NORFOLK BLINDS

Norfolk Blinds is one of the few remaining manufacturers of both aluminium and timber venetian blinds.

“Venetian blinds are one of the oldest types of blinds, with evidence of their existence shown in paintings dating back to the 1600,” says Managing Director Paul Humber. “After such a long spanning era of popularity, it is remarkable the blind is still basically the same. The venetian blind is unique in that it provides a full horizontal field of view when in the open position and also provides excellent day time privacy for either ground floor or upper level windows, while allowing a good view out.” 

“There are two main types of venetian blinds common to Australia, aluminium venetians with 50, 25 and 16mm wide slats and timber venetians, with the common slat widths being 46, 50 and 63mm slats. Norfolk Blinds still manufacturers both.”

“The machinery used to manufacture precision aluminium venetians in commercial quantities demonstrates mechanical operation along with basic computer control. Norfolk Blinds machinery was manufactured in Germany and produces perfectly formed and punched slats automatically,” he says. “We are manufacturers of the Faber aluminium venetian blind, which is supplied in component form to our facility. Recently the Faber Softline rounded headbox was discontinued by the roll-formers but Norfolk Blinds has huge quantities of rail, enabling us to be able to continue supply for some time. We supply Faber venetian blinds nationally.”

“Timber venetians have largely been taken over by imported product, but there are still several Australian manufacturers supplying well made quality timber and timber look venetian blinds to the market. Timber venetians are produced in bass wood type timbers as well as Woodstock timber-look slats which provide a hard wearing resilient option. Norfolk Blinds timber venetians come with a heavy duty head box which is covered by a five year warranty.”.

“The venetian blind that is currently taking the market by storm is the External Venetian Blind. With 80mm or 100mm aluminium slats the external venetian blinds provides a look of modern design along with unsurpassed functionality. The Norfolk Blinds External Venetian Blind is a robust blind with motorised control and wind sensing retraction to avoid damage in high winds.”

ESR BLINDS

Michelle Macready, Sales Manager, ESR Blinds, confirms the company continues to draw interest for its ranges across both timber and aluminium venetian blinds.  

In terms of ESR’s timber venetian blinds, the company prides itself on manufacturing its own cedar, real wood, New York and Tuscany venetian blinds.

“Our cedar venetians are made from plantation cedar that is responsibly sourced. We offer either an oiled or lacquered finish for a traditional timber look and custom painted for a more modern and bespoke look.” 

“A new wave of decorators have hit the market who are embracing the customised nature of a cedar venetian blind. They like the versatility of being able to offer 46mm, 63mm and our shutter alternative of 85mm,” she says. “The workmanship in these customised products coupled with bold colour choices has modernised the product and sent sales upward.”

“Cedar venetians, coupled with our real wood venetians, give our customers a better or best solution to suit each of their end-users’ specific requirements. The real wood Parahyba timber is grown in sustainable plantations, making it environmentally friendly and remarkably lightweight for a natural timber product. Slats are available in 50 and 60mm widths with a colour to suit Australian decors and conditions.”

“It is pleasing to see the resurgence in the natural timber venetian market, it seems that everything old, coupled with a modern touch is brand new again.”

Aluminium venetian blinds are also a significant part of the company’s offering, with the Harmony collection of aluminium venetian blinds “carrying one of the widest assortments of colour and slat sizes in the Australian window furnishings market,” says Macready. 

“Now with over 100 colour choices in both subtle and bold colours together with perforated and wood grain finishes, the aluminium venetian market has been modernised for 2020 and beyond.”

BLINDS BY PETER MEYER

Managing Director Simon Meyer confirms Blinds by Peter Meyer is heavily involved in the Venetian market, covering everything from custom painted cedar venetians (the company is one of the last standing custom painted, hand crafted venetian blinds manufacturers left in Australia), to Habitus – a range of light weight wood look venetians, through to aluminium venetians in 25mm and 50mm. The company also offers the unique Manhattan venetian, which combines the custom cedar pelmet and bottom rail with the 50mm aluminium venetians. 

“Our custom painted cedar venetians are available in 46mm, 60mm and the ever popular 85mm shutter style look,” Meyer confirms. “We custom stain as well as custom paint, which means you can choose any colour from the major paint brands in Australia. We also offer 25mm textile tape on our 60mm cedar venetians, paired with our extra thick 4.2mm slat thickness, to offer the market an unsurpassed level of quality and stability. 

“The most recent addition to our venetian product range is Habitus, a cost effective lightweight wood look venetian which has been going from strength to strength. The lightweight nature of its composition means it’s about 15% lighter than traditional PVC venetians, which improves its operation and stability, not to mention making it easier for the elderly to lift bigger blinds. We can produce these in under eight working days, meaning a fast turnaround on a super cost effective product.”    

“Overall, demand has remained steady for the cedar venetians, while we are seeing some nice growth in the more cost effective Habitus venetians. Recently there has been a rationalisation of the aluminium venetian range by HD which has been a reduction in 50mm slats to only three colours. There are still 17 colours in the 25mm range, which shows the swing in the market away from aluminium venetians. Like all things, trends come in waves and at the moment we are riding the trough of the wave for aluminium venetians.”