Since users’ attraction to window blinds shifted from corporate use to residential interior decoration, Zebra blind, a window fitting popular known as ‘Day and Night’ appears to have won the heart of users, topping demand for varieties numbering seven.
The thriving market from this users new found love, BusinessDay understands, is chief among reasons suppliers have now turned to local assembling of window blinds to widen their profit margin.
Suppliers initially favoured importing assembled window blinds from Turkey and China, which the landing cost turned out to be higher and often lacked precision in fittings. In choosing shades, users basically consider the function of the room it will be used; how much control they want over light and the size of window. They also looked at special features like material texture, hence the need for services of those who could get the precise size of their window rose.
“Everything you see regarding window blind is assembled here but most of the raw materials are imported. This is because when coupling it there, it could be very expensive and most times you may not get the exact size of your window,” Kalu Ikwuonwu told BusinessDay.
“Some who get the already made wooden blind either get it longer or shorter. We have to resize and fix for them to give the house a befitting decoration. That’s the idea. Sometimes we dispatch some experts that know how to install it,” he added.
Don Fazano, a supplier company said the demand has been buoyed by taste which spread across different income categories.
Different functions of light shade are required during day and night. At night, one may need the shades to retain more light within the room for privacy, but may need protection from harsh rays and still want to let in natural light during the day. Day and night window blind provides both.
However, demand is seasonal and usually higher in festive periods when people like to change the settings of their apartments and eras of new dispensation when offices embark on furnishing.
Demand also experiences uptick when developers are delivering housing projects. But Ikwuonwu said it is not as lucrative with developers as it is with retail buyers due to what he described as unfavourable terms.
He, however, said it is lucrative, especially for an importer. “If you import all those things by yourself, it is more profitable than buying from importers. It is a very huge amount of money,” he noted.
In the midst of this growing demand, opportunities abound for local manufacturers to consider making these materials locally.
But away from Zebra shade, design trends for blinds range from styles to fabrics and the latest innovations. Some of these fashionable trends include Venetian blinds which are classic designs revised in a modern way.
The traditional Venetian blind allows the regulation of lighting in an environment with precision and simplicity. It presents all the advantages of conventional blinds mixed with modern technologies that enable its movements, guaranteeing different levels of sun shielding.
Panel track blinds
Panel track blinds are now answers for large and small windows alike. When fully opened, the individual panels tightly stack together to give you the most sunlight possible. When closed, one can enjoy all the rich textures and fabrics that come in.
Not only do gliding panels look amazing as window treatments, but they can also be used as a unique and stylish room divider. You can choose either a cord, wand, or motorised styles to open and close your panels. They also have the option of a centre as well as side-to-side opening.
New neutrals
This is a shift from the traditional neutral shades of white and beige to the deeper neutral shades of charcoal and slate grey. These darker shades still go great with any décor, but they give a much more sophisticated look.
Greys beautifully define any window, while complementing any pops of colour you may add to your decor. Greys will also work well with trim colours on your window frames and other mouldings in your room.
Layering blinds
This variety adds a perfect finishing touch to your blinds with a sophisticated swag. The gentle folds of fabric draped along the top and sides of your window treatment will give your blind a soft, waterfall feeling.
Temitayo Ayetoto
