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The history of window coverings – from antiquity to made-to-measure roller blinds and pleated blinds
In everyday life, most people rarely stop to consider the history of the objects around them. We tend to focus mainly on how they work. Yet it is worth holding on to a childlike curiosity about the world. That is why we explain the evolution that roller blinds and pleated blinds have undergone. They still help separate our private space from what is happening outside, but they offer far greater freedom than earlier constructions. Today they can be tailored not only to the dimensions of a window, but also to the function of the room, its interior design and the household’s daily routine.
We can now control the amount of sunlight entering a room with ease. We simply raise or lower a roller blind or position a pleated blind at the desired height. For many centuries, however, this was nowhere near as simple as it is today.
How were windows covered in ancient times?
It is impossible to establish precisely when the first windows began to appear in homes. We do know, however, that windows were already familiar in ancient Greece and Rome. The earliest temples were built without glazing. Their interiors were lit mainly through their doors and, according to some archaeologists, through openings made in the roofs. Windows only came into use over time.
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Rome’s Pantheon, built around AD 125, is a striking example of the use of natural light. At the centre of its rounded dome is an opening approximately eight metres in diameter. Nothing covers it, so both sunlight and rain enter the building. A drainage system was installed in the floor to prevent excessive amounts of water from collecting inside.
The first window coverings – not only made of fabric
The idea of covering openings in walls is far older than glass panes, curtain poles or roller blinds. Along with light, hot or cold air, dust and insects entered buildings. People therefore covered the openings with fabric, animal hides, stone grilles and wooden panels. These solutions did not make it possible to regulate the amount of light. Even so, they marked the beginning of the development of products designed to separate an interior from outside conditions.
Wooden shutters as protection for the home
For a long time, wood remained one of the most important materials used to cover windows. It was easy to work with and made it possible to create a solid barrier. Depending on local architecture, culture and weather conditions, shutters were fitted either outside or inside a building.
When closed, they completely blocked natural light from entering the room. In this way they protected the interior from wind and made it harder to look inside. A wooden panel did not, however, allow the level of shade to be adjusted gradually. People had to choose between an open window and a dark interior.
Over time, shutters began to feature decorative cut-outs and slots that admitted some light. This gave them an ornamental as well as a practical role. Their shape and finish could be adapted to the architecture of the building.
In some countries, wooden shutters remain a distinctive feature of local architecture to this day.
The development of glazed windows
Improvements in glass production had a major influence on the appearance of buildings. Glazed areas became increasingly large, giving homes better access to natural light. One issue remained unchanged: people could still see inside through the glass. Window coverings were therefore needed to provide privacy while allowing occupants to control the amount of sunlight entering the room.
The beginnings of roller blinds in European homes
An interesting reference can be found in a 1669 inventory of a wealthy building in Copenhagen. The furnishings included window coverings operated by cords. This shows that mechanisms of this kind were already appearing in European interiors during the 17th century.
The surfaces of the blinds were decorated with plants, animals and landscapes. When fully lowered, the fabric resembled a decorative painting. The mechanism was much simpler than those used today, but it demonstrates the long tradition behind the idea of adjusting the position of fabric at a window.
Where did pleated blinds originate?
Pleating materials was familiar long before modern window coverings appeared. Regular folds were used in clothing, fans and decorative objects. A similar mechanism was later applied to windows. An accordion-folded surface can be extended, while taking up very little space when folded away.
Paper was one material that could be formed easily into even folds. Window coverings made from it were light and inexpensive, but also much less resistant to moisture, sunlight and repeated folding and unfolding.
The history of roller blinds and the spring mechanism
The next stage came when fabric was combined with a structure that allowed it to be rolled up. Rather than moving the material to one side, it could be lifted above the window.
The first roll-up window coverings are believed to have appeared in the Netherlands in the 17th century, becoming increasingly common during the following century. At first, the fabric was wound around a roller by hand and then secured with a cord. In 1870, a spring mechanism that made automatic rolling easier was patented in the United States.
During the 20th century, control systems, installation methods and materials continued to improve. Roller blinds began to be selected not only according to the size of the glazing, but also according to the purpose of the room and the desired level of light transmission.
How have modern window coverings changed?
Today’s windows come in many different dimensions and constructions. Desks, tables, kitchen worktops and seating areas are often positioned nearby. A single fixed setting for a window covering will not always suit every situation throughout the day.
Modern systems do more than simply cover the glass. They also allow the level of privacy and sunlight to be adjusted to the way a particular space is being used.
Pleated blinds – privacy and daylight in one solution
A pleated blind can be manufactured to match the dimensions of a specific window. One of its main advantages is the ability to cover a selected section of the glass. The lower part of the window can protect privacy while daylight continues to enter through the uncovered upper section.
This arrangement works well, for example, in a ground-floor kitchen overlooking a pavement. Positioning a pleated blind over the lower part of the window limits views into the room at eye level without darkening the whole interior.
Many types of fabric are now available. Their colour can complement the walls, furniture or accessories, while the regular folds bring visual order to the space around the glass. The material can also be selected for a specific function, such as limiting incoming sunlight or helping to protect the interior from excessive heat.
Day and night blinds – the next stage in light control
Made-to-measure day and night blinds use alternating bands of fabric with different levels of transparency. Moving the layers in relation to one another makes it possible to regulate the amount of light precisely without raising the entire blind.
This principle clearly illustrates how our approach to covering windows has changed. A traditional shutter was intended primarily to seal an opening tightly. A modern blind, by contrast, helps adapt the conditions inside a room to the time of day, the position of the sun and the way the living space is used.
Made-to-measure roller blinds and pleated blinds – solutions tailored to the window
Developments in the industry mean that roller blinds and pleated blinds can now be ordered to measure. The window simply needs to be measured according to the instructions provided for the chosen product, after which the measurements are entered into the online configurator. Once the size, fabric type and remaining parameters have been specified, the order can be placed. The finished window covering matches the dimensions provided, while installation is simple and intuitive.
How should a window covering be chosen for the room?
The greatest change in the history of window products concerns more than materials and mechanisms. The way decisions are made has also evolved. In the past, the choice depended mainly on the climate and on materials available locally. Today, a window covering can be matched to a particular room and to the household’s everyday habits.
In a bedroom, reducing light substantially may be important. In a living room, the ability to adjust it gradually is often a greater priority, while a ground-floor kitchen may require protection from the eyes of passers-by. In a home office, the covering should be positioned in a way that helps reduce glare on the screen without giving up natural light throughout the day.
The role of aesthetics has changed too. A heavy shutter was a prominent architectural element. A modern window covering can almost blend into the frame or become a stronger colour accent. Functionality remains the most important consideration, however. Even an attractive fabric will not perform as intended if the construction of the covering does not suit the way the window is used.
The story continues – today Estika is helping to shape it
Over the centuries, window coverings have changed along with the needs of the people who use them. Their history shows that there is no single solution suitable for every situation: successive designs emerged in response to different expectations. Today, the same principle helps us choose the product that best meets the needs of a modern home.
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