Conservatories are constructed mainly from glass, although this looks great it poses a huge problem in the summer months. The problem is created on sunny days when too much light energy is directed through the glass it creates an overwhelming amount of heat on the inside of the conservatory, if the windows are left uncovered for too long this heat can become unbearable, rendering your brand new conservatory useless.

Blinds for conservatory windows are usually split into two catagories, conservatory window blinds and conservatory roof blinds. Purchasing blinds for conservatory windows is relatively easy as they are regular rectangular shapes, the real problem and expense is the roof windows. Often they perculier shapes such as triangles and trapeziums.

Pleated Blinds

Pleated blinds are often used in conservatories as they can be cut into different shapes while still keeping their functionality. Pleated blinds are especially useful as they also do a great job of reducing solar glare which is extremely important in conservatories. Pleated blinds can be used on either either windows or roof windows.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds for conservatories are available, but with limitations. Roman blinds look fantastic on the roof of your conservatory, but because of how they are constructed you can only use them on rectangular windows, which is fine for conservatory windows, but your roof windows may be triangular in shape.

Perfect Fit Blinds

Perfect fit blinds are absolutely perfect for conservatories, aside from the fact they only fit rectangular windows. The great thing about perfect fit blinds is that unlike the other blind types you don’t need a proffesional to install ‘em! Another great thing about perfect fit blinds is that the ‘perfect fit’ section mainly refers to the frame, inside the frame you can have a venetian, pleated or roller blind! Don’t get any illusions though, they aren’t cheap!

Controls

I think you will agree when I say controlling a blind which is suspended 10 feet in the air can be quite difficult, unless you’re really tall of course! Luckily the great people behind the scenes have come up with a series of solutions. The first solution is quite basic, find a really long pole and use that! Okay, maybe it’s a bit more advanced than that, but you get the point.

The second option is to purchase electrically operated remote control blinds. Conservatory blinds are expensive right from the start, adding this extra feature is yet another premium. If you do want remote control blinds for your conservatory roof I suggest you have a large budget ready.

When extended roman blinds are a flat piece of cloth, or sometimes wood, which covers the window. When retracted they create a series of folds at the top of the window to stay out of view. In the back of the blinds are rods which keep the folds level.

Roman blinds are available in a variety of heights and widths, with some suppliers offering a made-to-measure service. They are also easily adjustable so you can achieve the ‘perfect fit’.

Roman Blinds are available in many different types depending on the application

Regular Roman Blinds

These are often referred to as ‘dim out romans’ as they made from fabrics which have a dim out effect.

Blackout Roman Blinds

These are simply regular Romans but using a blackout lining. Blackout roman blinds are often used in bedrooms and bathrooms, or other places that require darkness during daylight hours.

Wood weave Roman Blinds

Wood weave roman blinds function in exactly the same way as regular roman blinds, although they are made from real wood. Materials such as bamboo are often used as it is a lightweight and exceptionally durable material.

Faux Suede Roman Blinds

Faux Suede fabrics offer a modern contemporary feel to any room, the range often consists of coffee-like colours and soft tones.

Roman Blind Kits

If you are looking to save money on blinds roman blind kits may be an option for you. With a bit of DIY knowledge you can create a quality end product at a reduced cost.

A feature that all types of roman blinds have is their ability to create a neat, unobtrusive effect when retracted. Another plus is that because they lie flat when being used, so you can still store items on your window cills.

Blackout blinds are exactly the same as regular blinds except the fabrics used are much better at blocking out light, similar to the effect of thick curtains. Ironically regular blackout blinds suffer the same fate as curtains, they let the light in round the sides and bottom. Although the more heavy duty blackout blinds are available in 100% complete light blackout.

A common misconception is that blackout blinds are made by using dark fabrics, maybe that was true ten years ago, but nowadays fabric manufactures have the ability to create fabrics in any colour or pattern with the blackout effect.

Roller blinds with a blackout fabric are the most common type of blackout blinds, although there are quite a few others available too. Blackout blinds can be split into two categories, blinds with blackout fabrics and complete blackout blind systems.

Blinds with Blackout Fabrics

Although with a roller blind and a good blackout fabric you can get a good percentage of light exclusion, you will never be able to get 100% as there is nothing restricting the light coming around the sides and bottom of the blind.

• Roller Blinds

As I said before, blackout roller blinds are the most popular type, they are relatively cheap, there is a good range of fabrics, and they do the job. Unless you are in an area which requires 100% blackout then roller blinds should satisfy your needs.

• Roman Blinds

Blackout roman blinds are becoming an increasingly popular option in terms of blackout blinds. Roman blinds are well known for their contemporary look which compliments most décor. Most suppliers now offer blackout lining and stitching on all there roman blinds which is a great addition to an already fantastic product.

• Vertical Blinds

I’ve left these to last for a reason, they’re crap. If you are seriously looking for a blackout blind just ignore verticals completely. Yes, you can get blackout fabrics for use in vertical blinds, or blackout louvres to be more technically correct. But vertical blinds were not made to block out light, louvres blow around with even the slightest breeze rendering them completely useless in most applications.

Complete Blackout Blind Systems

Unlike blinds with blackout fabrics, complete blackout blind systems are designed specifically with light exclusion in mind. These are usually a much more heavy duty product, made specifically for areas such as theatres or home cinemas where 100% blackout is required.

• Cassette Blinds

Cassette blinds are similar to blackout blinds except a lot more heavy duty, they are often used large contract projects, although light weight versions are also available for domestic use. Cassette blinds feature side channels made out of aluminium which allow up to 100% light exclusion depending on the model.

Roundup

If you are looking for a functional blind that blocks out enough light for you to lay in bed all day then a roller or roman with a blackout fabric will do fine, however if you are looking to start your own secret laboratory at home you may need to go the extra distance and purchase cassette blinds.