Alicante blinds are very popular in certain places of our geography. We can find them protecting the doors from the sun and windows of the houses of some of the most charming towns in the south and east of the peninsula. But not only do the Alicante blinds dress the doors and windows of rural houses; They are also a great alternative to adding a traditional touch to modern buildings.
You will recognize the Alicante blinds for being made up of horizontal slats joined together by small galvanized wire hooks, but also by their characteristic way of winding up on themselves until they are gathered at the top.
Knowing its history
The Alicante blinds have their origin, as can be deduced from their name, in Alicante. Specifically in the town of Sax, whose economy was based until the end of the XNUMXth century on the tasks of wine production. It was there that they began to use the vine shoots freshly pruned to create the so-called "toothpick curtains" with the intention of insulating the windows and doors of the houses from the sun, heat and flies.
The freshly pruned vine shoots were cut into equal pieces that were boiled to soften the heart of the wood and eliminate the woody part. Then, once dry, they were painted and crimped traversing its core with wire to create the curtains. Curtains that were patented in 1916 by Vicente Barceló Santonja as "oriental curtains made of vine shoots".
Over the years the design evolved. Wooden slats began to be used for their manufacture and different versions were created until we reached what we know today as Alicante blind and which is currently also manufactured in materials such as aluminum or PVC.
The advantages
The protection against the sun's rays, so necessary in the summer months, that it provides to doors and windows is the main reason to bet on this type of blind along with its aesthetics and its price, which is cheap compared to other similar alternatives. But there is more:
- Simple assembly. Alicante blinds are very easy to assemble. Being light, a couple of brackets are enough to fix them to the wall above the window frame or to the ceiling.
- Simple operation. A rope serves as a handle to roll up the blind. We can tie the end of this rope to a support or fix it using small brakes that generally come in the blind itself so that it does not fall off.
- Protect from the sun doors and windows. Alicante blinds prevent the sun's rays from hitting the window panes directly, thus preventing the temperature of our home from rising to a great extent. Because even if we have double glazing, direct solar rays are capable of heating up the windows a lot.
- They facilitate ventilation of the house. One of the characteristics of these blinds is the small gap between slat and slat that allows air to enter the home to ventilate it. A great advantage, especially during summer mornings.
- They prevent the entry of flies. With these blinds we can prevent the entry of flies and mosquitoes into the house while we ventilate.
- Traditional aesthetics. The artisan character of Alicante blinds fits perfectly in rural settings. But they also represent a great choice to decorate modern homes due to the contrast they generate with their shapes and materials.
- Economical. The price of Alicante blinds is lower than that of conventional blinds and other similar solutions.
Wood or PVC?
All the wooden blinds they are the favorites to give a rustic touch to the facade. However, they have some disadvantages. The blinds in this material are heavier, which causes greater wear on the slats themselves, the joints between them and the anchors. They also weigh more when opening and closing, which can be a problem depending on the dimensions of the window. In addition, more maintenance is necessary to extend its durability.
The blinds made of PVC They have several advantages over wooden ones. They are lighter and more resistant to inclement weather and therefore, the most suitable for rainy climates. They also require less maintenance; just clean them with a damp cloth to return them to their original condition. And if you miss the warmth of wood, you can always buy them with a finish that imitates this material. Today the finishes that can be achieved are very realistic!
The blinds on natural and warm tones They are the most popular, but we can also find Alicante blinds in other colors such as green, yellow, blue and gray. In towns where different colors are combined, the picture is wonderful.
Do you like Alicante blinds to dress your doors and windows?