How to get the perfect balance of heat in your conservatory ~ Fresh Design Blog

A conservatory can be a great addition to your home, both in terms of adding extra value and providing you with additional space. Whilst many people love the warmth of a sunny conservatory in the summer, ironically they can also get too hot and stuffy on very warm days! But help is at hand…

If you’re looking for the perfect way to balance the temperature of your conservatory all year round, then the right blinds could be your answer.

Blinds and shutters are available in a variety of different forms and there are some excellent options available to help control the temperature in a conservatory. Some can even help dull noise too – a bonus if you’re near a busy road – and having blinds can help reduce fading on furniture, flooring or wallpaper from constant exposure to the sun.

Fancy trying blinds? Here’s the lowdown on some of the popular options available.

Duette® blinds

A popular choice for modern and contemporary conservatories are Duette® blinds. These nifty blinds are cleverly designed to help you gain a constant temperature all year round – not just in the summer.

What’s more, they look good too. Unlike traditional blinds, Duette® blinds are made with a honeycomb structure. The side of the blinds that comes into contact with the window has a special coating added to it that helps improve their energy efficiency even more.

Studies have shown that these blinds:

Reflect up to 78% of the warmth from the sun
Block up to 99% of UV rays, so reduce furniture or wallpaper from fading
Retain heat by up to 46%
Help reduce energy bills by up to 25%

Shutters

The French are onto a good thing with their love of shutters! They’re a great way to keep a conservatory cool in the summer, yet warm in the winter, and they look super sleek and stylish.

They’re particularly popular at the moment and can be an effective way to reduce both heat and glare in your conservatory in the summer, but still help the room feel cosy in the winter.

The LifeTime shutter from Thomas Sanderson is made from lightweight uPVC and are guaranteed not to distort, crack, fade or chip. They’re so sure of their durability that they come with a 25 year guarantee.

Roof blinds

If it’s the heat coming in through the top of your conservatory that’s a particular problem, then roof blinds are a good option.

Different forms of roof blinds are available, including pleated blinds with Solartex or Duette® blinds.

The Solartex blinds are designed with non-metallic backing, so they let the light in, but help prevent unwanted glare. They’re operated easily with the use of a telescopic pole and the pleats are designed so that they lie flat in the roof and give a fresh and clean look.

Choosing a conservatory blind company

Getting the look right, as well as the function, is something that’s often a key priority. You want the right style of blinds or window coverings to fit with your décor, and ideally something that won’t date or go out of fashion quickly.

For a professional finish, it’s a good idea to opt for a company who’ll fit the blinds for you too. It saves an enormous amount of hassle, especially if you’re not a fan of DIY, and ensures that your windows are measured by an expert in the first place.

Companies such as Thomas Sanderson offer a free measure and fit, as well as a design service. Their products are all handcrafted and individually made to fit your windows.

It’s not necessarily the cheapest company to buy from, but they’ve been a leading light in the industry for around 25 years and it can pay to opt for a quality service. What’s more, you don’t have to have one type of blinds or shutters – you can opt for both or a mix of several different types. They’ll help you asses what will work best for your needs.

For more ideas on making your conservatory a room you can use all year round, check out the tips in this helpful video: