Shining the Light on Conservatory Blinds

A conservatory is a perfect way of adding an extra room to your home without the huge expense and upheaval of a fully fledged extension. Once in place a conservatory can be in year round use. With proper heating it can be used in the winter and with the correct blinds it can be used even on the hottest of summer days.

The heat build up in a conservatory can be enormous and sometimes simply opening the windows and doors is not enough to prevent the sun scorching your furniture and wilting your precious plants.

The thought of putting blinds in a conservatory can seem like an impossible job. Often conservatory roofs are odd shapes; a mix of triangles, squares and rectangles. It can seem as though you will need to get an expert in to measure up and end up paying an absolute fortune. Sometimes only professionally made options will do, but often you really can do it yourself.

Roller Blinds

These are the basic blinds which are common throughout the house. The come in a multitude of colours, lengths and widths and can be cut to your desired size. These are perfect for fitting yourself on any vertical windows. They are operated by a cord on the side and can be lowered to any height making them very versatile. It is possible to use these blinds on the roof as well, but you must include a cleat along the side to hold them in place.

Roman Blinds

Made of a softer material, Roman blinds are pulled up by means of a cord which folds them over on themselves in a pleated fashion. They look lovely and are actually very easy to make yourself.

Pinoleum Blinds

These are a type of woven wood which look best in wooden conservatories. They have excellent sun reducing qualities, can be bought in a range of thicknesses and can be used in a number of operating systems.

Pleated Blind

These are best for odd shaped windows as they open in a fan shape. It would be difficult to buy these off the shelf and would be best if fitted and measured up by a qualified person.

Remote control blinds

For conservatory roofs which are very high or awkward to reach it is possible to buy remote controlled systems. Some will even react to the temperature inside the conservatory and open and close automatically. Most though operate with a remote which activates the pulley system of the blind.

Home-made

Even if your sewing skills are a little on the beginners side, you can still create great conservatory curtains. Lengths of voile or muslin can be draped around the windows strung along lengths of curtain wire. It is even possible to do this on the roof. Left to flow in the evening wind on a summers night, they can look incredibly romantic and attractive and no one will ever know you made them yourself.

Regardless of your budget or sewing skills it is possible to curtain your conservatory with relative ease. It will help make your conservatory part of your home and less of an addition. You can feel reassured that your furnishings will stay the colour you bought them and you will be able to use your conservatory as an extra room rather than just for special occasions.