Which Is Best for Roller Blinds: Guidewires or Side Channels?
What’s the difference between guidewires and side channels?
Guidewires are thin pieces of coated steel that span the full length of your roller blind. The guidewire runs through a specially designed hembar end cap to a dome or bracket that is fixed to the window sill.
Side channels, like those used on our KuroLok™ system, are aluminium profiles that connect to your blind cassette and span the full length of the blind. With side channels, the roller blind fabric is held in the channel and usually, the hembar will also run through the channel.
Guidewires tend to be used on free-hanging roller blinds or tensioned systems at a slight angle. Side channels are almost exclusively used on blackout blinds or any blinds with a cassette (headbox).
Which one is best?
There isn’t one right answer as to which one of these systems is the best – it’s entirely down to what you’re trying to achieve with them.
Guidewires are great for free-hanging roller blinds that have a very long drop. This is because, as the guidewire runs through the hembar endcap, the wire will keep the fabric a consistent width from the wall down the full drop of the blind. It also prevents the hembar from swinging from side to side, which can cause damage to the blind or wall.
They don’t however provide any additional light protection like a side channel would, and though the wire itself is quite narrow, some people don’t like the fixing dome or bracket on their window sill.
Side channels are mainly used on fully-cassetted blackout systems because of the additional light-blocking benefits they bring. By holding the fabric and hembar within the channel, you are blocking the light gap that a standard free-hanging roller blind would have. Side channels with zip-retention, like our KuroLok™ system, will also keep the fabric held securely when there is a breeze or draft from an open window behind the blind. This prevents damage to the blind and the window.
Side channels do need to be used with a headbox, or cassette, which might be a disadvantage for some people depending on your personal preference. The cassette and side channels create a full frame within the window recess which looks very neat and modern, but some people may prefer the look of a classic roller blind without these profiles.
In conclusion, there is no ‘better’ option for your roller blinds. Guidewires and side channels have completely different appearances, features and benefits so it depends on what your project requires. The best choice for you is whichever system best meets your needs.
Still not sure which system is right for you?
Chat to an expert! We can talk you through the benefits of both options and help you decide which one is best for you.