Roller Blinds Get the Green Thumbs Up 

Recently one of Champion Blinds most popular screen roller blinds was featured on the ecospecifier website. The ecospecifier aims to help building professionals, designers and home owners make informed choices about sustainable products that reduce their environmental impact. Ecospecifier is an online database of eco and healthy preferable products, materials and technology. Here's what they had to say about the Enviroshade roller blinds:

"... Enviroshade is a woven polyester roller blind fabric with an optional metallised backing. Product is manufactured from Trevira CS yarn, a flame retardant fabric. Product is suitable for use on indoor roller blinds, skylight blinds and decorative panels.

Fabrics can effectively reduce heat and glare transmitted into internal spaces while still allowing outward vision. Many of the options within this range have a visual light transmittance (VLT) of less than 10% and are therefore effective at reducing glare.

The fabrics can achieve reduction in the demand for air conditioning, reducing electricity consumption and associated greenhouse gases, particularly when used in conjunction with a closely sealed blind system. Actual performance will depend on the hardware configuration used.

Enviroshade is available with a metallised backing which is able to reflect solar energy and reduce heat gain. The backing is made from aluminium, a high embodied material. However, aluminium backing makes up less than 2% of the product. Non-metallised fabric is designed to resist moisture and is suitable for use in humid areas.

Use of this product may contribute to the achievement of Green Star^TM credit points."

If you are in Geelong, Torquay, Bellarine Peninsula or the Surfcoast, talk to your Champion Blinds rep about the Enviroshade roller blinds and other environmentally sustainable products in the Champion Blinds range.

Caring For Your Champion Blinds and Shutters

When installing blinds and shutters for our customers in Torquay Vic, Geelong, Bellarine and the Surfcoast we are often asked about how to care for and clean Champion Blinds' products. Blinds and shutters always look fantastic when first installed and with cleaning and a little bit of care they can stay in great condition for many years. When you have your blinds or shutters first installed, your Champion Blinds rep will happily talk to you about how to maintain them. Here are some top tips:

• Venetian blinds - carefully vacuum with the brush attachment or a lamb's wool duster. If you have fabric vertical blinds do a spot-clean with a damp cloth - don't use soapy water.
• Timber blinds - vacuum with the brush attachment or lamb's wool duster. If you want to give them an occasional deep clean, use a wood cleaner such as oil soap. Avoid soap and water on timber blinds, this may damage the timber.
• Timber shutters and plantation shutters - simply dust timber shutters on both sides. If they are painted timber shutters leave them hanging and wash them with a brush (a soft bristled dustpan brush is suitable) dipped in detergent and water. Cover the floor and window sill with plastic or a drop cloth before you start to protect them. Rinse timber shutters and dry with a cotton cloth.
• Roller blinds and roman blinds - carefully vacuum with the small flat attachment or spot clean with a damp cloth.

If you have any questions about the care and maintenance of your shutters, blinds or awnings, be sure to give your Champion Blinds Geelong and Torquay rep a call.

Blinds and Shutters for Torquay and Geelong Winters

If you haven't already got blinds or plantation shutters in your home or office, phone your Champion Blinds rep for a quote today. Once the chilly weather has settled in and winter is on its way, we crank up the central heating or the fire, pull down the blinds and snuggle indoors. Blinds and shutters are a brilliant way to insulate your home and keep that heat locked in. On average, our homes lose 25 percent of their heating energy through windows. Considering the cost of energy and heating these days it is well worth maximising the heat that we pay for.

As we see a lot more of our blinds or shutters in winter, choose styles (roller blinds, ventian blinds, roman blinds), colours and textures that complement your existing decor. Drawn blinds no longer have to mean a darkened room. If you like to keep your blinds closed to keep the winter cold out, but don't want to lose light, choose from our range of timber weave blinds that allow plenty of filtered light.

Make an appointment with your Champion Blinds rep (Geelong, Torquay, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove) and we can show you the huge range of blinds and shutters. 

Cafe blinds ideal for outdoor entertaining

If you’re in Geelong, Torquay or on the Bellarine Peninsular phone your Champion Blinds rep and ask to see samples from our range of Cafe Blinds, also known as alfresco screens. Just because summer is over, there is no need to stop using your outdoor areas. If you have an outdoor entertaining area or veranda, cafe blinds are a great way to enjoy being outside while protected from the wind and rain. Not only are they ideal for domestic use, we have installed plenty of cafe blinds in hotels and cafes in Torquay, Barwon Heads and surrounds so you can maximise your outdoor seating in all seasons.

With a couple of different fabric options including PVC clear, tinted or Vistaweave fabric you can choose which suits you depending on whether you need wind, rain or UV protection.  We always recommend the crank operated or Ziptrak cafe blinds because they can be easily operated by one person and don’t have messy cords or pulleys. With the wind, rain and unpredictable weather we get here in Torquay and along the coast, your outdoor entertaining area can be used all year round with cafe blinds from Champion Blinds. Phone us for a free measure and quote. 

Champion Blinds Motorised Blinds Range Geelong and Torquay

Not too many people get excited about internal blinds and external blinds, but at Champion Blinds Geelong our motorised blinds are a different story. Both our male and female clients alike get a kick out of having an automation system with motorised blinds installed both inside and outside their home. People love being able to control light, heat and UV rays at the push of a button. Fully automated blinds or motorised blinds means the wear and tear is reduced and you don't have messy chains and cords.

All of our motorised blinds are available as roller blinds, holland blinds, external blinds and Niceforyou motorised shutters and awnings. Talk to your Champion Blinds rep about having a fully automated motorised blinds and shutters installed in Geelong, Torquay or on the Surf Coast. 

Champion Blinds Geelong

While Champion Blinds are Torquay based, a large part of our business is delivering and fitting blinds for customers throughout Geelong. With the recent increase in housing and units being built all over Geelong, Champion Blinds have been inundated with request for a huge range of blinds and shutters from Waurn Ponds and Grovedale to North Geelong and Corio.

Shutters Geelong, roman blinds Geelong, awnings Geelong, venetian blinds Geelong, cafe blinds Geelong and roller blinds Geelong - no matter what your particular style or budget, Champion Blinds can help find the perfect window furnishing for your Geelong home.

Phone your Champion Blinds Geelong rep today for a free measure and quote on 03 5261 9666.

Chinois Eclectic Exotic Weave Blinds

Champion Blinds are excited to introduce you to the Chinois Eclectic Exotic Weave Blinds, the latest addition to the blinds timber range from Peter Meyer. These bamboo blinds come in 11 new exotic weaves that are perfectly suited for seaside homes in Geelong, Torquay, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Drysdale, Lorne, Apollo Bay and all along the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula. As with all natural timber blinds the Chinois Weave Blinds provide great insulation, UV protection, daytime privacy while allowing you to see out and the reverse at night. 

All weaves are available in Roman styles and - depending on weave suitability - curtains, panel glides and wintergardens . Talk to your Champion Blinds rep to see samples of the Chinois Exotic Weave range today.

Ballauff Woven Timber Blinds

Another great product from the Peter Meyer Blinds range is the Ballauff Woven Timber Blinds. Champion Blinds have the complete range available to customers in Torquay, Geelong, Bellarine and the Surf Coast. With a range of styles to choose from in the Ballauff Woven Timber Blinds including romans, curtain, panel glides and wintergardens there is a style to complement any decor. Timber is one of nature's best insulators so timber blinds are a great option for reducing your energy consumption and your heating costs. 

The Ballauff Woven Timber Blinds have13 weave alternatives (5 Natural [Beech], 4 Mocha [Mahog], 2 Le Washe, 1 Stain, 1 Painted [dark grey]) with varying UV protection depending on the openness of the weave. Five of the weaves are designed to give complete privacy, all others give daytime privacy while allowing you to see out and complete nightime privacy.

Phone and talk to your Campion Blinds representative and ask him about the Peter Meyer Ballauff Woven Timber Blinds.

XL50 Pleated Blind System from Peter Meyer Blinds

Part of the new Peter Meyer Blinds range, now available through Champion Blinds Torquay, is the XL50 Pleated Blind System. The XL50 has a ‘Constant Pleat’ blind system that eliminates sagging, ensuring that the 50mm pleats hold their shape for years and years. All the hardware is brilliantly designed to create a streamlined and elegant look, making them perfect for any modern home.

As the weather starts heating up, Champion Blinds' Surf Coast customers are always asking us to recommend blinds that can block out the heat. Peter Meyer's XL50 Pleated Blinds are available in a range of decorator fabrics and colours in blockout, sunscreen, translucent and sheers as well as European Jacquards, printed designs, pearlised and silver backed heat reflecting fabrics. The excellent thermal properties provide more heat reflection - saving you cash on heating and cooling.

As with all of the blinds sold through Champion Blinds, the Peter Meyer XL50 Pleated Blind Systems come with a 3 year warranty and are available through your Champion Blinds rep in Torquay, Geelong, Anglesea, Lorne, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and all along the Surf Coast.

In next months' blog we'll tell you all about the virtues of Peter Meyer's Ballauff Woven Timber Blinds.

Blinds by Peter Meyer now available at Champion Blinds

At Champion Blinds we are excited to now be supplying Peter Meyer Blinds to our customers in Geelong, Torquay,  Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and surrounding areas. Blinds by Peter Meyer are stylish, sleek and modern and are designed with architects, designers and decorators in mind. An Australian, family owned company, Blinds by Peter Meyer have a huge fabric range and blind styles, many of them flame retardant and all manufactured to strict industry standards and come with supplied with child safety devices.

Keep watching the Champion Blinds blog over the coming weeks as we reveal some of the products we now supply in the Peter Meyer Blinds range including the XL50 Pleated Blind system, the Ballauff Woven Timber Blinds available in Romans, Curtains, Panel Glides and Wintergardens and the Chinois Eclectic Exotic Weave Blind.

In the meantime, if you need blinds for your new home or to update the look or change the style of your existing decor, give the team at Champion Blinds a call. Servicing Geelong, Torquay and Bellarine including Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Drysdale and beyond with top quality blinds.

Blind Safety Cord Tips with Champion Blinds

As suppliers of curtains and blinds to Geelong, Torquay and the Bellarine Peninsula, at Champion Blinds we make it our business to keep up-to-date with government and Consumer Affairs’ safety standards. Blinds and curtain cords can be dangerous for young children and babies, especially under the age of three. Since 31 December 2008 the Minister of Consumer Affairs has banned the supply of window coverings, curtains and blinds that don’t meet safety standards.

There are several ways to prevent accidental strangling or tangling of children in curtain and blinds cords, here are some tips:

• Vertical blinds should have a cord or tensioning device enclosing the cord or chain loops.
• Wrap the cord around a cleat attached to the wall near the top of the curtain or blind.
• Cut looped cords in half to get rid of the loop, remove the end tassel or buckle and attach a tassel to each cord end and knot the ends to hold the tassel in place.
• Keep furniture (beds, chairs or cots) away from curtains and blinds so kids can’t climb up and play with curtain or blind cords.
• Make sure the curtain or blind cords are at least 1600mm above the floor out of children’s reach.
• Children need to be supervised near a corded blind or curtains. 

Talk to Champion Blinds about safety features and child-safe products for your blinds or curtains in Geelong, Torquay, Surfcoast and the Bellarine Peninsula.

To read more about blind and curtain cord safety: 

• ACCC blinds and curtains cord safety fact sheet
• Consumer Affairs Victoria Safety fact sheet