Entire Blinds

Once you’ve bought, or built, your conservatory, the next thing you are going to want to do is to install some conservatory blinds. Not only will window blinds make your conservatory more stylish, but they have a practical purpose too – in the summer they’ll keep the glare of sunlight out, and in the winter, they’ll keep warmth in.

When trying to decide which type of conservatory blind to buy, there are several key types of blind to consider.

Firstly, pleated blinds. Although not the cheapest option, this type of blind is perhaps the most common style in use today. Made of pleated fabric, this kind of blind concertinas into a fan shape when closed, and opens out to cover the whole window when opened. These blinds are usually hung on wire guides to prevent them from sagging, and reflect the vast majority of the sun’s heat. They can be used either on the roof or the side windows of your conservatory.

Another option is roller blinds. These are one of the simplest type of blind to install and to use. When you want to keep the sunlight out, simply roll the blind down. When you want the sunlight to shine through your windows, just roll the blind up. These blinds are most suitable for side windows, but can sometimes be seen installed as roof windows. The best models are made of fabric which is treated on the reverse side to keep out heat and UV rays.

Roman blinds are the most traditional type of blind, often made from fabric (again, remember to look out for treated fabrics) but also sometimes made from bamboo, which is a sturdier, but still lightweight alternative. Invented, as you might guess, by the Romans, these binds are usually lowered and raised using drawstrings / cords.

Pinoleum blinds – these are quite like Roman blinds, but usually made of strips of wood, or bamboo. This does make them look nicer, but the gaps tend to let in more sunlight, so your conservatory won’t stay as cool. Sometimes they are referred to as French Pinoleum Blinds.

Awning / Exterior Blinds – as the name suggests, these go on the outside of your conservatory, covering the roof. Their biggest benefit is that they keep your conservatory cooler than interior blinds as they stop the sun from heating the glass of your windows. They’re usually made of heavy duty fabric, but because they are exposed to the elements, tend to deteriorate more quickly.

One of the newest options is to add film to the inside of your windows. They’re reflective, and do keep out a surprising amount of heat, but they aren’t really designed to stop people from seeing out, so if you’re in an exposed location, this might not be the best type of conservatory blind for you.

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