FAQ's
Sloping Glazing and horizontal rooflights- What are the options ?
It depends on what you need the blind for. If it is to reduce solar gain then an external blind may be necessary. The reasons are detailed in what are the requirements for shading a conservatory roof or sloping glazing?
If your requirements are for glare, light control or privacy an internal system will be the most suitable.
Non-retractable Louvre Blinds
Techtonic or Tetrix systems will tilt only to adjust light levels and control glare. Both systems can be mounted externally where they are most effective in reducing solar gain. For most uses an angle will be found that balances the need for glare and heat gain whilst allowing an acceptable light level. The short travel of the operating mechanism and the often infrequent need for adjustment ensure that maintenance costs are minimal.
Rooflight roller blinds
We do not generally recommend except for small areas (less than 2 sq. m) such as velux windows. For larger windows or where access is difficult we consider that the risk of high maintenance cost if the material is caught or rolls over could result in an unsatisfactory installation however well made and fitted. Our recommendation is non-retractable blinds. The only exception is in photographic studios where striping from light penetration around the louvres would affect the photography. That is the only situation that we would propose larger rooflight roller blinds.
Conservatory roof roller blinds
Externally the guided and tensioned VZ500 is far more effective in reducing solar gain than an internal blind. The system cannot be fitted internally and has not been adapted for this as the sections are large and achieving the tension would not be possible in many internal conditions.
Pleated blinds
We consider this to be a domestic solution unsuited to contract applications. The blind is hand drawn on support cables. Only suited to small windows.
Roman Blinds
Also mainly a domestic solution. Strips of bamboo are sewn together with a cotton thread into a woven wood known as pinoleum to form a roman or roller type blind. Due to the thickness and weight of the material it is normally only suited to short drops on a roller blind. When used in a rooflight it is supported on steel cables to minimise the sagging.
The limitations are that the cotton thread can break down after a time especially if frequently used in a rooflight. In this situation the material is best fixed into a draped effect that is particularly suited to restaurants where the need is for effect and light without glare rather than a moveable system. They create a soft diffused light with the natural beauty of wood.
Linked Information:
What are the requirements for shading a conservatory roof or sloping glazing?
Awkward shapes?
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