What Is the Benefit of Zip-Retention?
When it comes to a fully framed blackout blind, there are two main types: those with zip-retention and those without.
But what exactly is zip-retention and why do we recommend it over blackout blinds without zip-retention?
What is zip-retention?
Zip-retention, or zipped-edge fabric retention, is where there is a piece of zipper welded to the edge of your roller blind fabric that is held into the side channel.
The zipper used is just a standard zipper that you might find on a coat. The unique patented technology is what is inside the side channel.
We use something called a ‘zip-insert’, which is a plastic profile retained within the aluminium side channel. The teeth of the zip engage with the zip-insert, securely retaining the fabric whilst still allowing the blind to freely roll up and down.
This zip-retention technology removes the challenge and associated maintenance issues of fabric coming out of the side channels.
What are the benefits of zip-retention?
The biggest benefit of using zip-retention is that if a window is left open and the blind is closed, the fabric will be held in the side channels. When the fabric isn’t being held in place and you open a window behind a closed blind, the fabric will get sucked out of the channels because of the air pressure. This can also happen when you open a door which can create enough negative air pressure to suck the fabric out of a non-zip retention channel.
Pulling the fabric out of the channels regularly can lead to maintenance issues such as fraying down the edges, creases in the fabric and potentially damage to blind hardware such as the hembar. Maintenance issues can cause issues for places such as hotel bedrooms or lecture theatres which are often put out of action if the blackout blinds can’t be used.
Zip-retention side channels can also be much narrower than a non-zip channel. This is because ton a traditional channel without zip-retention, the fabric must sit quite deep into the channel to keep it in there. On our Kuro channel, for example, the fabric sits approximately 25mm deep into the channel. By contrast, our smallest KuroLok zipped channel is only 24mm wide in total.
Side channels with a zip-insert also reduce light gaps down the side of the fabric more than a traditional channel.
Most traditional channels will have brush edges which does help to block light gaps, but these aren’t quite as effective as a zip-insert. The insert essentially fills the gaps left in the side channels around the fabric, so there’s nowhere for the light to come through. Some side channels even combine brush and zip-insert for the ultimate blackout, like our KuroLok 56mm channel.
Blinds with zipped-edge fabric retention can also be installed at an angle up to 30 degrees off the vertical and still function perfectly; an ideal solution for sloping glazing. The fabric being held down both sides means that the fabric won’t sag in the centre like it would on a non-zip blind, so you end up with flat, taut fabric on your angled blind.
When you add zip-retention to a roof blind, it means you can make much bigger roof light blinds than you can without zip-retention.
Again, this is thanks to the zipped channels keeping the fabric more taut and less saggy. Whilst small blinds tend to look okay with no zip-retention, on larger blinds the fabric will sag and droop in the centre. This is especially noticeable on roof light blinds as the blind is parallel with the ceiling, so any drooping of the fabric is more apparent.
We don’t recommend roof blinds be over 4m2 if they don’t have any zip-retention.
To see how zip-retention works in real-life, check out this video below. This video shows you how the zip-retention works when force is applied to the fabric:
For more information on our KuroLok zipped-edge blackout system, click here:
Or for the rooflight version, click here:
If you want more information on how zip-retention works, or to see a live demonstration, why not schedule a no obligation call with a member of our sales team?