Conservatory Roof Blinds

Blinds can be considered as integral to the design of a conservatory as the frames and the glazing. Building a conservatory will add a host of benefits to your property, giving you extra space and increasing the value of your house.

The style of the conservatory and the choice of frame will affect the aesthetics of the finished room, while the blinds will affect the ambience and the feeling of comfort in the room.

The main reason to build a conservatory is to enjoy the extra heat and sunlight, but on the hottest days in summer the room can become unbearable, even with the doors and windows open. The use of conservatory roof blinds helps to block out direct sunlight and certain styles also reduce heat, making the room much more enjoyable to use.

Use of roof blinds in a conservatory can reduce heat and direct sunlight.

Why use roof blinds?

Roof blinds have become more common in the UK in recent years and when used alongside window blinds, give much greater control over the amount of direct sunlight, which penetrates the room.

As well as making the conservatory more comfortable to be in, this also goes a long way towards protecting your furniture from fading caused by exposure to direct sunlight.

Stylish designs and remote control blinds are considered by some to be a fashion statement, but in a more practical sense they are very good at preventing heat loss. The blinds can actually contribute to keeping the conservatory warm in the winter months and help to reduce heating bills.

What styles of conservatory blind are available?

Roller roof blinds

Roller blinds are the most common type of roof blind. They are made with a length of material, which is wrapped around a roller, and rolls up when opened. The blinds are usually controlled by a drawstring and operated manually, but can also be electronically controlled.

Pleated roof blinds

Pleated conservatory roof blinds consist of a folded, or pleated, piece of material, which folds up from the bottom when the blind is closed. These have been made easier to install with the advent of blinds, which clip directly onto the conservatory frame, and they can also be controlled electronically.

Solar inserts

Solar inserts are specifically for use with conservatories with polycarbonate roofs. The inserts are solar strips, which reflect UV light and heat, keeping the conservatory cooler on hot days, while still allowing a high level of light through on cloudier days.

A retractable awning is attached to the wall of your house over the exterior of the conservatory, to exclude light and heat.

Retractable awnings

A retractable awning is attached to the wall of your house and fitted to the exterior of the conservatory, covering it completely.

These are best for lean to style conservatories as they are attached to the wall, although it is possible to buy awnings which do not utilise the house wall if necessary.

They are made from a durable weatherproof material, and can be fully retracted as and when required. Because the cover the conservatory completely, they prevent the glass from heating up and therefore reduce the amount of heat inside the conservatory.

Exterior blinds

Other forms of conservatory blind are available which are fitted externally, directly above the conservatory roof. These types of blind usually roll back into a discreet case along the length of the roof where it meets the wall of the house, and can be controlled remotely.

Most exterior blinds incorporate a reflective backing to reflect the heat of the sun and stop the glass of the conservatory roof heating up. This helps to keep the conservatory cool, and the blinds block direct sunlight at the same time.

Which is best – Interior or exterior blinds?

Interior roof blinds are the most common choice as they are generally cheaper than exterior blinds and perform an adequate job of reducing direct sunlight. The advantage of exterior blinds is that they can help to reduce heat as well as light, which is useful on particularly hot summer days.

Both interior and exterior blinds are a perfectly good choice for a conservatory roof and the decision is more likely to rest upon the design and style of your conservatory, how the roof blinds match the choice of blinds for the windows, or the overall budget for the blinds.

How much do roof blinds cost?

The cost of a roof blind for a typical 3 metre x 3 metre conservatory could range £1500 – £2500, assuming the conservatory is a standard shape, and the installation is straightforward. For a traditional style conservatory, or an irregular-shaped conservatory the installation is likely to cost more.

Blinds tend to get more expensive as they incorporate remote control operation and for a quality exterior remote control blind you could pay in excess of £5000.

It is worth contacting several different suppliers and installers, then comparing the quotes that they offer. You can ask local companies for examples of their installations, and may be able to view their work in advance. Bear in mind that any quote is likely to be subject to a visit to measure the conservatory. It also pays to check how long the blinds and the workmanship are guaranteed for.

Summary

Conservatory roof blinds are an increasingly popular choice in the UK, particularly for glass-roofed conservatories. Both window and roof blinds are becoming more integral to the design of the conservatory as they help to control the level of heat and light coming in, making the room more comfortable and enjoyable to use.

There are several different styles of blind available; roller blinds and pleated blinds can be fitted internally to match the side blinds, Retractable awnings can be fitted above the conservatory covering it completely, while exterior blinds are installed directly above the conservatory roof.

The advantage to an exterior blind is the heat reduction; by preventing the glass on the roof from heating, the blinds help to keep the conservatory cooler during hot weather.

Whichever type of roof blind you choose it is important to factor the costs into your overall budget. The most basic roof blinds can cost upwards of £1500, while the most expensive remote controlled blinds can easily cost in excess of £5000.