Tilt & Turn Windows - Blinds/Window Coverings - Help

13 years ago

I am having tilt and turn windows installed because double hung destroy the view from my apartment. What do I do for blinds? I cannot find anything. Help.

Featured Answer

David Antoniuk

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

I lived in Germany for 4 years (and my wife is European), so we've had many discussions about how cheap (and hard to clean!) most US windows are. For those who are not familiar with this product, many German installations are done with an exterior built-in roll up shutter (with small holes between the slats, to allow you to lift just a hair and have ventilation while still blocking 99% of the light). A nice system for a small flat in Berlin, but pricey given all the windows in my sprawling home.

The issue for us in Florida is that we leave our windows wide open 4 months a year during the night, but still need some sort of sun blocking after sunrise before we get up. Hence my need for window attachments. SOme US blind companies make taut line, but want a screw in mounting of the top of the unit - which is sort of a deal breaker for me given very expensive windows... Will check into Fenstermann (what else would we call a German window rep?).

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Comments (38)

PRO
User
13 years ago
how do tilt and turn windows operate? I'm not familiar with the term.
elisenyc
Original Author
13 years ago
Tilt & Turn Windows open from the top by opening out or from the side out.
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lionnessone
13 years ago
What size are the windows and can you post photos? I need to see the frames of the windows.
PRO
User
13 years ago
I love this type of window. They also come with built in blinds that will completely block out all light. Very easy to clean!
PRO
Weatherwell Elite - Aluminum Shutters
13 years ago
Hi Elisenyc,

Do they open from the top or from the side?
elisenyc
Original Author
13 years ago
The windows open from the top and the side depending on the handle position. The window is a triple window 105 x 60 made up of a picture window flanked by two tilt and turn windows. The manufacturer I am required to use does not offer the option of pre-installed blinds in the window. A picture of a similar window is attached.
lionnessone
13 years ago
Check out Hunter Douglas.
Are the windows in your bathroom or bedroom?
[houzz=
Vignette Roman Shades · More Info
][houzz=
Warm Elegance · More Info
]
elisenyc
Original Author
13 years ago
Windows are in bedroom and living room. I spoke to a senior sales rep at Hunter Douglas and was told Hunter Douglas has nothing. So far the only option appears to be an English brand called Perfect Blinds that do not seen to available in the US. My neighbors do not have blinds up but some have blackout blinds with a rod above the windows. There must be a solution to have privacy with air flow.
PRO
User
13 years ago
If your windows open out, then why wouldn't 2" wood blinds work? You can adjust the slats for privacy and still get air flow. Unless I'm missing something.
David Antoniuk
13 years ago
I'm looking at buying some tilt and turn windows myself, and was just researching this. Here's a US distributor for a German shade company that makes a taut line "top down / bottom up" shade to allow tilting.
http://rs-sylko.com/pages/plissee_1.html
0 seconds ago
PRO
Ironwood Builders
13 years ago
Check out Fenstermann Windows here on Houzz. Search discussions for Fenstermann and David, their SoCal rep will be in the loop. Fenstermann is a German company and they do lots of tilt/turns...and have window treatment options as well.
elisenyc
Original Author
13 years ago
David -- Thank you! I have contacted the US distributor. Ironwood - I will also look into Fenstermann. Finally I may have options!
PRO
ASVInteriors
13 years ago
These are virtually standard in Germany, France and Switzerland. I hang blinds and curtains without a problem. We roll the blind up when we want to open the window. Either the blinds are hung above the window frame, or in some cases I have seen them attached to the window (but never paid attention to how)
PRO
Fenstermann LLC
13 years ago
I supply German made windows, doors, screens, shades, and exterior roller shutters. Fenstermann has 10 years experience working with over 60 manufacturers to supply these products ON TIME, and on budget.

We have the shades you are looking for through about 3 different companies to provide the most options.

Please view our website: www.plissee.ca < Full website dedicated to our German shades.
David Antoniuk
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
How do the taut-line blinds attach to tilt windows on the top and bottom? Does this involve screws? Are there any side rails? I'm looking at using these on a Marvin Tilt Turn.

I'm on the website, under Technical Details, looking at PL-11, 12, and 13, which seems to be the taut-line versions. Do these allow both top down and bottom up adjustments?
PRO
Fenstermann LLC
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Yes, we have these shades availble to attach without putting screws into the window. If you would like to discuss in detail, you can email me or call me directly. My contact info is listed on my profile.
PRO
Fenstermann LLC
13 years ago
@David Antoniuk We provide a bracket that clamps onto the window without the need to put screws in. The window treatments are then attached to the bracket. So, they are the same top-down/bottom-up window treatments you see on the website.
dekeoboe2
13 years ago
I also need blinds for our tilt turn windows and do not want to screw into the upvc windows. I need them for both the operating windows and the fixed glass windows. What did you finally decide? We are also on the east coast and there don't seem to be any suppliers here.
PRO
Fenstermann LLC
13 years ago
I ended up supplying some people in New York with window treatments because of this thread. I would be happy to help you. Just send the measurements to me via email: david@fenstermann.com
elisenyc
Original Author
13 years ago
I am the the NY person who ordered blinds from Fenstermann. The blinds arrived last week and are beautiful. I have not installed yet because of logistics (waiting for a visit from my Dad) but will report back. As the thread indicates I was at my wits end trying to find window coverings and this site provided the solution.
PRO
User
13 years ago
As luck would have it, we have talked about this on our blog http://cellularwindowshades.wordpress.com/your-design-forum/ You can mount a shade above the window to drop over the window or perhaps use a roller shade with a reverse roll (or waterfall) as they call it.
dekeoboe2
13 years ago
David - I have sent you an email
CellularWindowShades - If I mount a shade above the window on the drywall, it would end up being far away from the window itself because I have very deep window returns. It cannot be an inside mount because there is not enough room - the window would not be able to be opened.
PRO
Fenstermann LLC
13 years ago
I got your email. Sorry for not responding sooner, I have been out all day! I will get back with you soon.
PRO
Fenstermann LLC
13 years ago
These shades attach to the Sash of the window/door, and operate with it. These are European style windows, and this is the window treatment that accompanies them in Europe where they are used the most.
Rudy Batties
13 years ago
check out RS-Sylko.com
Rudy Batties
13 years ago
There dealers offer a wide choice of products for these windows
rudybatties
11 years ago
Shades for tilt and turn windows from rs-sylko.com
gneral
11 years ago
in VT, i have tilt & turn windows, hoping for venetian blinds, will look into some options listed above..open to ideas & help. thanks!
PRO
RS Sylko
10 years ago
We import German window shades including top down/bottom up Venetian blinds that will work on your tilt and turn windows. We have dealers in various locations in the US - please contact us for more information

info@rs-sylko.com
freddiemac2009
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
These windows suck. We moved into a lux condo in Brooklyn equipped with these dumb things. We love to enjoy the summer cross breezes in the place but live in an urban area. If you open the window as a turn in, the entire window swings in and you have zero privacy virtually everyone in the street and the building across can see right in. (Picture the scene in Bourne Supremacy when Damon jumps through the windowless balcony, same thing.) The window is gone and you are literally looking through an open hole in your wall right out into the street or the guy across. No way to put a blind in front of it because of its swing in design. You can put a blind into the window panel itself for 200 bucks but same thing applies if you swing the window open to catch a breeze - better be dressed to impress. If you use the tilt option, you get not much more than a 6" gap at the very top of the window and 3" along the sides, so goodbye fresh air. They may as well be hermetically sealed because you're going to need to run the air conditioning even in 70 degree weather due to the lack of air flow. Unless you live in the country and can see the Swiss alps or rolling French vineyards when you swing half your wall into the room stick with windows you can open sanely as a slide up sash and still keep your privacy.
stp1023
10 years ago
EliseNYC could you post a pic of your turn and tilt window with the blinds please. I am considering purchasing them in place of casement windows but am curious of how they look. Also do the turn and tilt windows have window screens, if so could you provide a pic that demonstrates the exterior look of the window. I would appreciate it.
PRO
Sustainable Shades LLC
9 years ago
Stp1023, Take a look at www.sustainableshades.com in NYC.
PRO
User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
***EDIT: I see this thread was brought back to life from 2012 original post date. Well anyhow, here's some information if anyone is interested.***

Here's another example of tilt turn windows for those that were asking:

Tilt Turn Windows · More Info

Also, we have low-profile window shades available in many different patterns, styles and opacity. Here's an example in a modern home we recently did:

(It was a little boy's room so excuse the lime green color, haha!)
A-Frame Modern · More Info

A-Frame Modern · More Info

(The view when they are completely open. You hardly notice them)

A-Frame Modern · More Info

A-Frame Modern · More Info

If you're interested, contact us at hello@glowindows.com and we can get you pricing, etc.

Hope this helps!
PRO
User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
stp1023 here's an image of screens on our tilt turn windows. Although, I'm sure this differs from company to company. Ours are quite discreet.

(from exterior -screen frame color matched to window)

(from interior -when window is open)

(from an off-grid project we did -exterior)
Fish Creek Off-grid Residence · More Info

(interior)
Fish Creek Off-grid Residence · More Info
PRO
Fenstermann LLC
8 years ago
@ Seemray: The original post is from 2012 - I am sure they already got their tilt and turn windows installed. They were looking for window treatments like these...Contact us please.

www.PleatedBlindsStore.com
PRO
Mokush
8 years ago
there are very good roller blinds systems made in melbourne for many years specially designed to work very good on tilt and turn windows and doors

www.mokush.com
Jenna Evans
6 years ago
My new condo in Chicago has these tilt and turn windows and a patio door. They all open in, and no extra space was built in to allow for window coverings. And they are really tall. ultimately I went with Fenstermann and I’m so glad - they are perfect!! I used the stick-on method because I didn’t want to screw into the window and it literally could not have been easier. Everything installed within minutes. The shades sit cleanly on the glass and move with the window/door so there’s no interference. Beautiful solution. Ingo was great - fun and easy to work with. The product arrived quickly and was easy to install by myself. I highly recommend this product! Fenstermann.com for the win.