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Korean Blinds vs Roller Blinds – What’s the Difference?
Choosing between Korean blinds or Roller blinds can be a tough choice when renovating your home. Both options are minimalistic and easy to maintain but have different function when it comes to light and privacy control; and of course the pricing. This guide breaks down what Korean and roller blinds are and what they can do for your home.
What Are Korean Blinds?
Korean combi blinds is manufacturer with a looping sheet of fabric consisting of alternating sheer and translucent or opaque panels. This is why it is also called ‘zebra blinds’ or ‘rainbow blinds’. As you control the blind by its cord or by touch, the blind rolls and the fabric can be aligned to show more light or block out light. Or fully rolled up to expose the whole window.
Korean blinds is good at providing your with soft, diffused lighting while retaining your privacy. It is slim and space-saving like most blinds type. And it’s a popular type of custom blinds in Singapore when it comes to the bedroom, living room and study.
What Are Roller Blinds?
Roller blinds use a single sheet of fabric that rolls up and down on a tube and is controlled by a chain or motor. When it’s fully lowered, your windows will be covered by a single (or multiple) panel of fabric. When you roll it up, it will roll neatly and rest above your windows.
Custom roller blinds are great for homes or rooms where you want a minimalist look, or the ease of use and maintenance. Its slim profile and simple design is a common deciding factor for Singapore homeowners.
Pros of Korean Blinds and Roller Blinds
| Korean Blinds | Roller Blinds |
|---|---|
| Adjustable panels to control light & privacy | Minimal, one panel fabric |
| Layered look for contemporary interiors | Simple one coloured or prints fabric for modern interiors |
| Excellent in light control | Highly effective in light blocking or filtering |
| Slim, space saving and ideal for small rooms or big windows | Slim, space saving and ideal for small rooms or big windows |
| Available in dimout or blackout options | Available in blackout, dimout or perforated options |
| Variety of colour options for modern, Japandi, or luxurious interiors | Variety of colour options with plain fabric or printed designs |
| Available in cord, one-touch or motorised mechanisms | Available in cord, one-touch or motorised mechanisms |
| Cost slightly higher than roller blinds | Most cost effective blind type |
| Looping fabric require more care when rolling the blinds | Unable to filter light unless you install dual layers (blackout + dimout) |
| Slim, space saving and ideal for small rooms or big windows | Can make your interior look flat if not paired aesthetically |
Key Differences Between Korean Blinds and Roller Blinds
Light Control
Korean Blinds
With dimout Korean blinds, you can block up to 80% of light depending on the colour you choose; and blackout Korean blinds will block up to 95% of light.
The alternating mesh and fabric panels let you control lighting to block out harsh sunlight without lifting the blinds fully. This allows you to create soft lighting in your room when you need it.
Roller Blinds
Since you only have one fabric option for each set of roller blinds, you can get either: blackout, dimout or perforated blinds
Each of these blinds will have different light blocking capacity with blackout at 100% and perforated with some see-through level. However, blackout and dimout roller blinds have the strongest sun-filtering capabilities. Blackout roller blinds can block out harsh sunlight completely, keeping your room and office cool. And dimout roller blinds will filter out the harsh light and turn it into soft lighting for your room.
If you want the room to be lit, you will have to raise your blackout blinds.
Aesthetics
Korean blinds
Some homeowners or interior designers with great eye for details and design can integrate Korean combi blinds really well, creating a designer finished look in a room.
Wood style Korean combi blinds
Roller Blinds
It is the definition of minimalism. It’s commonly a single colour fabric; sometimes you can have it ordered with prints. The beauty of it is, you can simply roll up the blinds when you don’t need it. And its clean, simple lines will help your room look neat and uncluttered.
Maintenance
Korean Combi Blinds
It is relatively easy to clean Korean blinds but because it has a looping fabric and also it comes in alternating panels (mesh + fabric), there are more surfaces where dust can settle.
To clean them, you can lightly vacuum, dust or do spot cleaning when needed.
Roller Blinds
Many homeowners choose roller blinds when they want to avoid the fuss of cleaning. The single plane of fabric allows you to simply roll the blinds down and give it a good dusting or wipe down. It is a good window furnishing for dusty areas.
Cost
Cost is a factor to consider when having blinds installed. Typically, a basic set of roller blinds start from $6 psf, and Korean blinds start from $7 psf.
There are also specifications that will affect the price of your blinds such as:
- Types of fabric (blackout, dimout, perforated, special fabric)
- Additional features (pelmet, case/tracks)
- Operating mechanism (cord, one-touch, motorised)
- Size of windows
A simple set of roller blind will always cost lesser than dimout or blackout Korean combi blinds. But once you start adding features as above, it can cost close to a set of blackout Korean blinds.
Durability in Humidity
In Singapore’s humid and sunny environment, you should be choosing a reliable vendor with high quality blinds.
Korean blinds
We had customers who looked for us because the previous vendor they’ve worked with provided blinds that discoloured from the sun’s UV after 1 year, or had its Korean blinds panels breaking apart due to the sun & humidity. Even when it can reduce glare in your room while keeping your room brightly lit for working and living, always choose from a reliable vendor.
Roller blinds
The fabric from roller blinds are made to withstand sunlight and humidity making them highly durable and even suitable for bathrooms and kitchen. It provides strong heat and UV protection and reduction, keeping your room cool.
Final Recommendation: Korean Blinds vs Roller Blinds in Singapore
We would say that there’s no winner when it comes to comparing Korean Blinds vs Roller Blinds because it all depends on your priorities and preferences.
Choose Korean blinds if you want just one type/set of blinds which you can control light, privacy and heat from. You can get a modern design, and still filter in soft light while having privacy.
Choose roller blinds if you don’t have privacy concerns and want simplicity with a minimalist interior.
When it comes to room type, we recommend the following:
- Bedroom: Blackout roller blinds or blackout Korean blinds (the best would be dimout curtains)
- Study room: Dimout roller blinds or dimout Korean blinds
- Living room: Dimout roller blinds or dimout Korean blinds
- Kitchen/Service yard: Dimout/Perforated roller blinds
- Bathroom: Blackout/dimout roller blinds
- Offices: Blackout/dimout roller blinds
For many Singapore homes, the most practical setup is a mix of: roller blinds in most functional rooms (bedrooms, study, kitchen), and Korean blinds in one or two key areas where aesthetics and flexible light control matter most.
