How Effective Are Conservatory Roof Blinds?
When it comes to bringing as much light into your home as possible, many homeowners opt to have a conservatory built. Not only does this new room expand the space in your home. Conservatories also bridge that gap between indoors and out, allowing you to appreciate your garden for even longer. They can be transformed into playrooms for children, entertaining spaces for loved ones or relaxing spots where members of the household can while away the hours. The right conservatory roof blind will help you to optimise the new room. But, how effective are they? And, should you consider investing in them, even though you’ve just spent so much time designing the perfect space? Read our latest blog post here.
The challenges faced in conservatories
There are many benefits to having a conservatory added to your property. Alongside those we have mentioned above, they also allow you to bypass certain building regulations. Ground floor extensions and conservatories are generally covered by Permitted Development - pre-granted approval for homeowners when the new space abides by the existing rules. This means you won’t have the added expense of drawing up plans and submitting information before they can be built. On top of this, adding a conservatory to your property can increase its value. Some estimates state that a well-fitting and inkeeping design could add as much as 7% in value - a considerable increase considering a new kitchen can add 10%. While these rooms have their benefits, they are also notoriously challenged when it comes to temperature control. Conservatories and orangeries alike are largely glass buildings. This gives you the best opportunity to appreciate your surroundings and bring nature indoors. It also increases the surface area for direct sunlight and UV rays to pass into your home. Glass is a notoriously poor conductor of heat and, therefore, will allow it both in and out of this new space. It’s estimated that up to 80% of thermal heat will enter a conservatory through the roof. This means that, even if you open the door to let the breeze in, you likely won’t feel a significant temperature difference. During the summer, it’s not unusual for a room to become so hot that it’s unbearable to be in. And, most conservatories go unused during the winter for the opposite reason - they are simply way too cold.
What are conservatory roof blinds?
With such a high percentage of heat leaving through the conservatory roof, it pays to reason that this should be the place you focus and pay attention. Solid conservatory roofs can be insulated using a combination of aluminium foil and thermal wadding. Both of these are highly effective and will provide a barrier against both heat loss and heat gain. With the right research, this is something you could install on your own but be warned - they will change the look of your roof. Instead of having sun flooding through, you’ll be able to see the reflective aluminium surfaces. In some homes, this won’t be an issue. But it should be a consideration either way. Other than having a brand new roof installed that integrates into the rest of the home, another cost-effective option is to fit blinds for your conservatory. With these, you’ll be able to open and close them at your will. Have guests coming over? Open the blinds up to allow the sunlight in. Leaving the room unused for a while and concerned about fading on your soft furnishings? Close the blinds and leave the room submerged in darkness so you don’t have to worry.
Do you need them?
Whether or not you choose to use conservatory roof blinds comes down to personal preference. If you’re struggling to use this new space accordingly, it’s something you should definitely consider. Too much heat loss or build-up in this space can seep into the rest of the house. This makes you more dependant on your central heating or cooling appliances. This can push your energy bills right up, especially on the hottest or coldest days. Window blinds aren’t just an aesthetic choice. They are also incredibly practical and can help you to make the most of your conservatory all year round.
How effective are conservatory roof blinds?
As with any window covering, you need to make the right choice to get the most out of them. Conservatories are glass structures, therefore there is a large surface area from which heat can get out and in. Covering the roof will help with this because heat rises but it won’t solve the entire issue. The glass on the walls and doors of your new space will still allow heat to seep out, if not properly covered. There are glass films that can be used to improve conductivity as well as glass finishes to reduce UV ray penetration.
What are your options?
Looking back to conservatory roof blinds, there are a number of options available on the market. You can have individual blinds made for each glass panel in your roof. This keeps the visual structure of your roof but can make the room look untidy. Here at Skylight Blinds Direct, we recommend something like the LanternLITE™ Honeycomb Roof Lantern Blind or the LanternLITE™ Zip Roller Roof Lantern Blind. Instead of sitting along the body of your roof, it sides within the recess, drawing over to create a flat surface. This will slightly minimise the size of your space but promises a full-coverage and reliable option for all. The LanternLITE™ Honeycomb Roof Lantern Blind is manufactured from a unique cellular fabric that traps air within the cells and insulates from within. The LanternLITE™ Zip Roller Roof Lantern Blind features a tensioned zip roller that is fully enclosed within the cassette and side channels along the full length. This reduces the risk of sagging over time. And, a wire-free design provides an open view of the sky when the blind is retracted.
You have the option of both manual and electric Somfy® RF Motor powered operation. And, with smart home compatibility, these blinds provide a new level of comfort in your conservatory. They can be fitted without the need for additional labour and are made to measure to ensure the perfect fit. We have a detailed Guide to our Roof Lantern Blinds on our website here.
Choosing the right conservatory blind is one of the best ways to get the most out of your investment. And ensures that the entire family can enjoy the beauty of nature in the comfort of their own home further into the year. If you have any questions about conservatory blinds or our LanternLITE™ range, please do get in contact with us here today.
