Venetian Blinds

Timber, for the original windows

St James's Victorian and Edwardian cottages mostly still carry their original timber sash windows, and a 50mm basswood venetian is usually the better match for that joinery than a flat roller — it sits into the reveal depth properly and reads as part of the house rather than bolted onto it. We assess the sash frame and reveal depth at the free measure before recommending a headrail.

Aluminium, for the wet rooms and the salt air

Bathrooms, kitchens and laundries want aluminium, not timber or fabric — powder-coated slats shrug off steam and splashes that would warp wood or mark fabric over time. It's also the more sensible pick anywhere close to the beach: aluminium handles salt-laden air far better than timber does, though even powder-coated hardware wants an occasional rinse this close to the water.

Why the tilt matters more here than elsewhere

A roller is open or shut by degree; a venetian steers light direction. Tilt up for glare-free daylight off the water in the morning, tilt down for privacy from the coast road and the railway platform below, close flat for full dark. On a narrow stand where the next cottage — or the passing 07:14 to Simon's Town — has a clear sightline into your front room, that adjustability earns its keep daily.

• 25mm slats for a crisp, contemporary line; 50mm for fewer, bolder lines
• Wide colour range including wood-look aluminium finishes
• Motorised tilt available on premium timber and aluminium lines

A flat roller blind was never designed to sit inside a hundred-year-old sash frame — a venetian was.

One honest limit

Timber is heavier than aluminium, so very wide sash windows sometimes need a split or ladder-tape support to keep the slats from bowing over time. Your consultant will flag this at the measure, not after the blind arrives.

What a venetian costs, by material

Material sets the band, and both are per square metre installed. Aluminium slats come to R1,000 to R1,500 with a wand or cord and R2,500 to R3,600 motorised — and aluminium is the sensible pick for a bathroom or a kitchen this close to the water. Timber runs R1,600 to R2,600 manual and R3,000 to R4,500 motorised, the wider slats and stained finishes sitting near the top of both.

A narrow window is charged at a minimum, because a cottage bathroom pane still needs its own headrail, brackets and a fitting visit. Use the bands to plan; the figure per window is settled at the free measure and confirmed in writing.