Will Blinds Work On A Flat Roof?
Here at Skylight Blinds Direct, we’re passionate about bringing window covering solutions for your homes. As more and more of us opt to extend our homes rather than moving, this becomes even more paramount. Loft conversions desperate for light find solutions in skylight windows. Ground floor extensions that nestle in our gardens need natural light to help homeowners get the most out of this new space. And here you find options such as roof lanterns, skylights and flat roof windows. All of these options are designed to optimise the amount of natural light that can flood into a space. But in all situations, having the right window covering can help you take control of said light while also prioritising privacy and keeping your home cool at all times. For this guide, we’ll focus on one type of unique window - those found on flat roofs. And answer the popular question, ‘Will Blinds Work On Flat Roof Windows’.
Why are roof windows needed?
As we mentioned above, the trend for extending our homes over moving is continuing to rise. An increasing number of homeowners are choosing to move into their lofts or extend into their gardens. This is especially true with the recent changes to building regulations which see many ground-floor extensions covered under Permitted Development. These changes have shortened and reduced the cost of adding space to people’s homes, driving the popularity through the roof. It’s easy to understand why loft conversions will need to be paired with new windows. These dark rooms in our homes are largely used for storage, therefore rely on artificial light. When they become bedrooms or offices, finding spots for natural light to flood through saves money and can make the space feel larger. With extensions, you tend to have more flexibility when it comes to style. If you really wanted to, you could have the majority of your new roof crafted from glass to allow light to flood in. Most extensions - specifically ground floor ones - sit in the existing garden space. In this situation, they will likely be overlooked by your own and your neighbour's houses and this can hinder the amount of natural light your new roof has. Roof windows help you to make the most of what’s available, using angles and carefully crafted glass structures to draw as much light into the new room.
Are blinds essential?
So, if you’ve spent all this money having an extension designed and built with windows to draw in light - why would you cover them? As in any room, the windows in your home are important. And when built into the design of your new space can make or break the design. While you will likely want to show off the entirety of your extended room to guests and visitors, undressed windows also pose several practical issues.
- Too much light during the evenings can make a space feel less cosy.
- Excessive sunlight and UV exposure will cause the dye in soft furnishings to fade
- Heat passes through glass much easier than brick or other building materials. Too much can build up in your new room, making it uncomfortable to be in during the warmer months. This can also place considerable strain on your cooling appliances (such as air conditioning or fans) that will have to work overtime to drop the temperature
- Some roof windows will be overlooked - either by your own home or the neighbours. Exposed windows offer little privacy, especially at night.
- Depending on the angle of your roof windows, direct light can cause glare on television or computer screens. This is distracting and annoying at the best of times but even more so if you’ve organised a family movie night or are trying to get a project finished.
For these reasons and more, we always recommend that homeowners consider window blinds for their roof windows. And, this continues on to the flat roof windows. These unique structures sit at an unusual angle, meaning that normal blinds will be hindered by the natural weight of gravity. However, modern technology has advanced to mean that many blind options will work on these windows.
Designed specifically for small flat roof blinds, the SkyFit™ Manual Flat Roof Blind is a sleek and stylish option. It sits within the edge of your window reveal, blending in seamlessly with the surrounding style of your new space. The child safe and chain free design instead uses a spring-operated mechanism that makes it easy to cover or expose the window as needed. As with the other window blinds available in our online range, the SkyFit™ range is manufactured here in the UK and is available in a number of sizes up to 1.5m x 1.5m. We make it for your exact measurements, providing full installation instructions so it can be easily fitted without additional labour.
Depending on the use of your new space, we have two fabric options - thermal blackout or anti-glare fabric. If you’re designing a new bedroom or nursery space where calm is essential, the blackout options have a multi-layer design that effectively prevents all light from getting in. The blind design includes brush seals that create a barrier between the blind and window frame. This effectively blocking out light and reducing heat loss at the same time. This manual operation model can be slid open and closed using a standard blind pole. And, it comes with a 3-year guarantee on all fixtures. Download the SkyFit™ Manual Flat Roof Blind brochure here.
The LanternLITE™ range
For flat roofs that are bigger than the designated sizes stated above, you may also wish to consider the LanternLITE™ range. While originally designed for roof lantern windows, they are also installed within the recess of your window. This means they can easily be adjusted and manufactured to your specifications. And, means they are ideal for use on flat roof windows too. There are two main options here - the LanternLITE™ Honeycomb Blind and the LanternLITE™ Zip Roller Blind. More information about both of these blinds can be found in our extensive Guide To Roof Lantern Blinds here. If you have any questions about covering your flat roof window, please get in contact with our team here today.
