What Is the Difference Between Cassette and Fascia?
Cassette, headbox, fascia, and pelmet are all terms used in the blinds industry that mean essentially the same thing. These phrases are all used to describe a cover that sits at the top of your roller blind.
The purpose of this cover is mainly for aesthetics. Hiding the fabric roller from view gives your blinds a clean, discreet look. When concealing the blinds in a blind box such as Blindspace isn’t a possibility, a cassette or fascia can give you a similar look. Blind concealment can be costly as it involves cutting into the walls or ceilings to place your concealment profile, whereas cassettes/fascias can be easily retrofitted.
But even though these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between a cassette and a fascia profile. Let’s discuss.
Cassette
A cassette, also commonly referred to as a headbox, is an aluminium profile that consists of a back section, front cover and two endplates. A cassette will completely conceal the fabric roller, brackets, and any operational devices e.g., chain mechanism or motor head and cable. Because a cassette comes with a back section, it also means your blind will be concealed if you’re looking from the outside in.
The result is a smart, concealed blind where only the fabric and hembar are visible. You can get the whole cassette powder coated to match your wall colour or window frame, to make it even more subtle. You can also have multiple blinds in one continuous cassette.
A cassette also protects your blind from dirt and damage as it’s fully enclosed which makes it functional as well as aesthetically pleasing.
Cassettes are available in different sizes to suit your blind. Umbra offers 3 varied sizes – 80mm, 100mm and 125mm. The size is usually decided by how long your blind is, as that dictates how much fabric needs to fit in the headbox when rolled up. However, we can usually go up to a bigger size cassette if that’s the customer’s preference.
Fascia
Fascia does a similar job to cassette by covering up the roller, but it’s much more simple. It is is just one piece of aluminium that clips onto the blind brackets. From the front, this looks like a full headbox as the fabric roller and brackets are hidden from view.
However, the key difference between fascia and a cassette is clear when you look at the blind from any angle other than straight on from the front. Fascia doesn’t have any endplates like a full headbox does, so from the side the brackets and roller are visible.
Depending on how the blinds are being fitted might make one of these options more appealing. If your blind is being face fixed to the outside of your window recess, you probably don’t want to see the brackets. However, if it’s being fixed in the window recess, you might not be as bothered by this because it will be less obvious.
Fascia also tends to be slightly cheaper than a blind with a full cassette. To give you an idea of the saving, we compared two Helios blinds of the same size and specification, the only difference being one had fascia and one had a full cassette. The Helios blind with fascia was approximately £570 (Recommended Retail Pricing), whilst the cassetted blind was approximately £680.
So, which one should you choose?
It depends entirely on what your main priority is, and in some cases your blind size will limit your choices.
If you have small blinds and you are trying to save money on a project but still want to hide the roller, fascia could be the best option for you. If you’re fitting your blinds into a recess and aren’t concerned about seeing the brackets, fascia should be sufficient. However, our fascia is only available in one standard size. This means that the amount of fabric rollup that can fit behind the fascia on the tube is limited.
If your main priority is concealment, and you are concerned about the aesthetics of the blinds, a cassette is a better choice. Cassette will conceal much more of the brackets and roller than fascia and can give you the look of a fully concealed blind without the cost of a separate concealment profile. Cassettes also come in multiple sizes, so you can use them with much larger blinds than you can with fascia.
But if you want true minimalism, consider Blindspace
If you’re looking for the most concealed blind solution, you should consider Blindspace. Unlike cassettes and fascia, which retrofit over the blinds, Blindspace is a purpose-designed concealment profile that hides blinds entirely within walls and ceilings.
It allows blinds and curtains to fully integrate into their surroundings, creating a sleek aesthetic. For minimalist designs and high-end projects where discretion and clean lines make the difference, it is the perfect choice!
Applications:
- Blindspace for KuroLok
Fully conceals the headbox, side channels, and hembar for complete blackout functionality with flawless aesthetics. - Blindspace for Evolve
Ensures no part of the blind is visible when not in use, leaving only a discreet gap for the fabric to pass through. - Blindspace for KuroLok RL
Conceals rooflight blind mechanisms while maintaining the efficacy of rooflights and lanterns. - Blindspace for Flow
Hides motorised curtain rails, enhancing the luxury of floor-to-ceiling curtain solutions.
There is something really luxurious about blinds that appear from nowhere and disappear again when not needed!
Blindspace concealment keeps windows uncluttered, maximises daylight control and protects blinds from dust and damage.
It is available in standard configurations and custom-made options, with a unique cover design that clips securely in place but allows for easy installation, removal, and maintenance.
Blindspace comes in a standard matte white powder-coated finish but can be painted or powder-coated in any RAL colour to match your interior design.
Want to see Blindspace in action? Check out our Meadow View case study to see how it transforms modern interiors.
Still not sure which option is best for you? Get in touch with us to discuss your project and we can help you find a solution that meets your needs.