Blinds can be the icing on a cake in a conservatory, adding style while helping to both heat and cool it
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| Pleated blinds from Hillarys
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'The best blind for a roof is a pleated blind, which can be made to fit exactly, especially where there are awkward shapes. They are available with sun-reflective backings, which keep excess heat out and help to prevent warmth escaping in winter.'
Blinds are essential for filtering or blocking out glare. Not only do they make a very
attractive accessory, they will help keep your conservatory cooler in summer and warmer
in winter. Even if you opt to leave windows bare, a blind is a must for the roof.
Pleated and plissé blinds
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| Luxaflex blinds
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The best blind for a roof is a pleated blind, which can be made to fit exactly, especially where there are awkward shapes. They are available with sun-reflective backings, which keep excess heat out and help to prevent warmth escaping in winter. For a north-facing room, however, heat and light are likely to be at a premium, so you could consider using blinds with an opaque finish, which will allow the light in and give the room a soft, cosy glow. The sun's glare can make pale colours look insipid, so if you want a bold look, choose vibrant purple or red.
Pleated blinds concertina away neatly and can also be automated so you can operate them remotely. Pleated roof blinds should be fully opened every week to ensure the pleated effect is maintained. Dust them using a dry duster, but don't press too hard. To get rid of dead insects that can collect behind roof blinds, use a hairdryer to blow them out and on to the floor, where you can sweep them up.
Plissé blinds are made from single-layered pleated fabric and are available in a huge choice of colours and finishes, as well as with metallised coatings to the back for heat reflection.
Roller, Roman and Venetian blinds
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| Hillarys' Venetian blinds
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Roman blinds have a traditional look, especially when they're made from pinoleum, a woven-wood material made by Ballauff in France. They filter the light coming in, can be made to fit any size or style, including roof spaces, and can be supplied as natural wood or painted to any colour to suit your scheme.
Roller blinds are simply styled and can be made from a wide variety of materials and colours, with or without solar-reflective backing. They can be made more decorative by the addition of a scalloped or castellated edge, and could be fully lined to keep the room warmer in winter.
Wooden Venetian blinds are very effective at creating a sense of warmth and can be opened and closed to filter light.
Suppliers and prices
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| Homestyle blinds
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John Lewis offers a range of roller, Roman and Venetian blinds. Roman blinds are priced from £20-£65 depending on the width.
Hillarys Blinds supplies pleated blinds starting at £76, measured, made and fitted. Venetian blinds start at £63, measured, made and fitted.
Homestyle by Vantana pleated blinds have a special pearlised coating that allows a little light through and reflects heat.
Luxaflex made-to-measure plissé blinds start from £53.
Silent Gliss offers pleated blinds in a range of colours and fabrics. The Skylight System includes blinds which can be made to fit arched or sloping roofs, as well as windows, in a range of decorative and solar-control fabrics. They are supplied as Roman and roller blinds.
Thomas Sanderson specialises in pleated conservatory blinds in more than 200 colours, designs and fabrics. The SolarTex fabric protects against harmful UV rays.
*For more on conservatories, see Related Articles at the bottom of this page.
denotes Subscriber-only content | Friday 25 July 2008 | Help | Glossary 
