Conservatory Blinds and Shading Through the Seasons

A conservatory can feel like the best room in the house in April, but an oven by July. In January, it starts to feel cold and echoey. The right blinds go a long way to cushion the swings, but only if you choose them with all of the seasons in mind instead of just the hottest week.

Tackling Summer Heat

Most of a building’s heat gets absorbed through the roof, so the most benefit from shading comes from the roof. The best solar shades are roof blinds that run along tensioned wires or tracks and sit next to the glass, blocking the sunlight before it gets the chance to warm the room. Fitting them from the inside of the building is easiest, but better shading is done from the outside, as that is where the heat is stopped before it passes through the glazing.

Fabric choice is important too. For example, lighter colours reflect more heat. So, fabric choices in light colours, like pale grey, bounce more heat back compared to dark colours. Also, dark colours help cut glare and allow for a better view. For even better performance, you may want to look for samples with a metallised or reflective backing.

Keeping Warmth In During Winter

Glass is slow to give up heat, and some fabrics do a good job of trapping air next to a window. Just as pleated fabrics do around a window, so do many types of shades and blinds. The few minutes it takes to close the shades at sunset can gain several more minutes of warmth in the room. On clear nights, the difference can be a notable surprise.

Side channels or tight-fitting frames are useful in limiting draughts around the edges of the fabric. Cool air will spill into the room through even the tiniest gap. For winter use, when you pair your blinds with good draught-proofing around doors and vents, you get a much better effect.

Choosing the Right Type

Pleated blinds have a number of practical features that make them very flexible. For example, they can be made to fit odd shapes including pitched, lean-to and lantern roofs, and they can be opened from the top or bottom. Roller blinds are neat on side windows and can be made in blackout, dim-out or screen fabrics. Vertical blinds are ideal for large glazed doors. Roman blinds create a soft look for dwarf walls and, along with Venetian, give a more homely look than some other blinds.

Operating method. In cases where the roof is out of reach, motorised or remote-controlled blinds are a good option, as cord-operated alternatives on high windows become a hassle. For safety reasons, cordless and wand-operated alternatives are better in households with small children or pets.

Measuring and Fitting Tips

Measure each pane individually because conservatory frames normally are not perfectly uniform. Record width and drop at several points, and note the depth of the glazing bars, which helps to determine if a blind can sit neatly within the frame. Take photographs which can help with describing tricky details.

Leave a gap of a few millimetres. The frame rubbing the fabric is a common problem. Make sure that the fixings you use are appropriate for the material of your frame, either uPVC, aluminium, or timber, and that you use the appropriate drill bit to avoid cracking the profile. If you need to work at height, use a stable platform, and make sure you have a person to help you.

Everyday Care

Because glass lets in dust, blinds in glass rooms will collect a lot of dust. To prevent dust buildup, brush or vacuum the blinds on the lowest setting every few weeks. For marks, dampen a cloth with mild soap or cleaner, and spot clean. Once cleaned, extend the blinds to allow them to dry. Leaving rolled-up fabric will promote the growth of mould.

Ventilation helps the blinds and the room. Open roof vents on warm days to allow hot air to escape so it’s not sitting below the shading. A little air flow also helps reduce condensation in the cooler months.

Lastly, check your blinds when the seasons change. Take a look and see if there is anything wrong with the cords or chains, motors, etc. Make sure you wipe down the fabric. In the spring, close the blinds earlier in the day. In the fall, leave the blinds open to let the low sun come in.

Shading reduces heat gain in the summer and winter. Fabric used in conservatories needs to be selected for beauty and function. Conservative use of fabric and attention to detail will create a comfortable all season room.