Guide to Conservatory Blinds

Furnishing and decorating your conservatory can be as expensive as building it; sometimes more expensive. Depending on what you use your room for furniture can cost thousands of dollars. The finishing touch to any sunroom or conservatory is the blinds.

Whether you use your conservatory for a sitting room, dining room, den, playroom, office or exercise room you want to have the heat and light control that blinds offer. Controlling light and glare from the sun will help make your conservatory useful year round. The right blinds can keep the heat out in the summer and retain heat in the winter. They can also enhance your chosen décor and put the finishing touch on your conservatory’s look.

There are many choices when it comes to selecting blinds, just like when you choose the furniture for your conservatory. There are many styles and materials to choose from. Before selecting blinds you should consider your lifestyle, the room’s purpose and your budge. Set your budget before you start shopping and set aside another 20% for any problems you encounter. Often home improvement projects are more expensive than people plan for. You do not want your project derailed because you have not put enough money in your budget.

The most popular choice is pleated blinds because they are effective. Pleated blinds reflect up to 83% of the sun’s rays. They can be purchased in many colors and patterns. Pleated blinds feature low maintenance and can be treated to repel dirt and moisture. Before you buy check the width of the pleats because the slimmer the pleats the neater of the appearance of the blinds. The blinds can be drawn up neatly and there are automated versions that allow remote operation. To get the most out of your conservatory blinds purchase them with a solar finish. You can purchase these blinds in made to measure sizes.

A more traditional alternative is Roman blinds. They are available in many materials and the most popular choice is French pinoleum. This material is made of thin strips of woven wood and it gently filters sunlight. These blinds have first-class solar protection properties. The wood weave style is a perfect compliment to rattan and wicker furniture that are very popular for conservatories. Roman blinds can be purchased in eco-friendly and beautiful bamboo, but they are not suited to be used as roof blinds. Roman blinds can also be automated just like pleated blinds and a remote control can be used. These blinds offer the least temperature control, but they allow a pleasing amount of light into the conservatory. You can add a light reflecting material to the back of the blinds, but it negates the pleasing light they normally let in. If temperature control is your main concern, Roman blinds may not be your first choice.

Another option is roller blinds. These are produced in a wide range of fabrics, but the best choice for conservatories is a fabric with a special sun-reflective aluminum backing. This backing is essential for controlling temperature and solar glare. These blinds are not the most aesthetically pleasing choice, but they are the best as far as sun protection and temperature control are concerned. These blinds are a great value, they are typically at the lower end of the price spectrum, and are very versatile. They are usually made of synthetic materials and are very easy to clean. Roller blinds can be purchased in either made to measure or standard sizes.

You can also use vertical or venetian blinds as an alternative to the aforementioned types of blinds. They are available in wood, wood effect and aluminum, but they are difficult to fit and they are a dust trap. If they provide the look you want it may be worth the extra effort to make them fit and keep them clean. You can also use plantation shutters to cover the windows and these can be placed either in the house or on the exterior.

Choosing the right blinds should start before you build your conservatory. If you are buying blinds for an existing conservatory make sure that you give yourself enough time to plan before you begin spending money. Planning is the most important part of any home improvement project. You will be spending a good amount of money on blinds for your conservatory so make sure you really love what you choose.

The blinds will protect the furniture and décor of you conservatory as the light can damage fabrics and other materials. You also do not want to shut out all of the light; otherwise having a conservatory is pointless. The right blinds will add the perfect finishing touch to your conservatory. Their temperature control and light blocking properties can make your room usable even in the most glaring summer sun.

For information on more home and garden topics, check out the links to my other Hubs below.

• Buying from Hillarys Blinds
• Buying an electric blanket
• Baby crib guide
• Coleman generators