The Really Useful Guide to Conservatory Blinds by

Britannia Blinds – The Conservatory Blind Specialist

Blind Passion – How to love your conservatory!

There are few better ways of bringing the outside into your home than by building a glass conservatory or extension to add useful living space.

Today, a well designed conservatory will be bright and spacious, a stepping stone from indoors to outdoors, as well as something which can add value to your home as well as giving you more living space. But there’s no point in adding an extra room unless you give it an identity and use it on a daily basis. Britannia Blinds is on a mission to make the conservatory a room for all reasons and seasons - and people in glass houses need blinds!

As well as looking fashionably beautiful, conservatory blinds soften summer sun, retain warmth in winter and provide privacy, and while pleated blinds are our recommended preference for the roof, the world is your oyster when it comes to choosing blinds for the sides.

“The most functional conservatories are those that can be used all year round and heat, light and privacy are often the key reasons why people stop using their glass rooms,” says Andrew Smith, head of product design at Britannia. “By adding blinds to your conservatory you can turn it into anything you want it to be, no matter what the season. Cool and calm, contemporary and chic or warm and cosy, it’s incredible what the right blinds can bring to your conservatory, from privacy and warmth to a totally new way of using your space. “A home office, lounge, a playroom, an intimate dining room, even an unusual guest room or bathroom, blinds make perfect conservatory sense, just use your imagination.”

Unequivocal advice from Britannia Blinds, the East Anglia’s leading made-to measure blinds and shutters specialist, as it launches a new pleated fabric collection for conservatories.

Neat Pleats

Britannia launches its biggest ever pleated fabric collection

“Pleated blinds are set to be a major trend this summer!” says Ivan Smith,Managing Director at Britannia.

“Stay fashion forward with Britannia's new collection of pleated blinds which now come in yet more fabulous new fabrics and mouth-watering colours. Whilst they are undeniably the perfect option for conservatory roofs, pleated blinds are sleek, simple and practical and also look amazing in the side windows of a conservatory. They filter the light beautifully, and neatly fold away to give maximum control of light inyour home.”

Neat pleats give an interesting effect that also creates a lovely cosy feel to a conservatory. They are available with a number of different treatments includinga solar reflective backing so the blind can reflect heat and light from the sun to help keep you cool in the summer whilst retaining heat in the chillier months.

Now available in 168 stunning fabrics of which there are 117 brand new colours and designs, Britannia's pleated blinds feature a wealth of just-introduced finishes including luxurious jacquards, stylish sheers, discreet black out, on trend designs and the most up to date plain designs too.

“And in the same way that conservatories aren’t just for summer, Britannia's pleated blinds aren’t just for glass rooms!” adds Ivan. “They work well in any setting from a cheerful family bathroom or sleek kitchen to adding that special finishing touch to contemporary sitting rooms and workspaces.”

How do I choose the right blinds for my conservatory?

A conservatory needs to be warm and cosy when the sun doesn’t shine and cool and relaxing when it does. Choosing the right mix of conservatory blinds is vital but it isn’t just about functionality, it’s about your own personal style. From bright, sun-filled spaces to cool, shady places, conservatories need individual attention to transform them into an integral part of your home.

Here are some top tips from Britannia’s expert, Andy Dunnett, for helping you make the most of your blinds in a conservatory.

First and foremost consider what the conservatory is being used for? Think about using a darker colour and/or a more opaque fabric to reduce glare in a TV room, lounge or home office.

Blinds featured are Mauve pleated (sides) and Crush Ice pleated (roof).

The direction of your conservatory should play a role in your choice of blind. South facing conservatories are fabulous for an abundance of sunshine, which is great during cooler months, but can be unbearable in the height of summer. Usingpleated blinds with reflective backing can help combat excessive heat and keep in the warmth when the nights start to draw in. North facing conservatories benefit from the warmth of wood and soft fabrics, so consider venetian blinds around the sides in deep, rich wood tones, and luxuriously lined roman blinds in intense, decadent colours like crushed ruby, midnight purple or

burnt orange.

Blinds featured are Grenoble Beige pleated (roof)

and Hazelwood wood venetians (sides).

Always go for one blind per glazing panel wherever possible - smaller blinds are

easier to operate, will last longer and are more reliable, plus when done in the roof,

the design which gives the character of the conservatory is maintained. Covering

more than one panel at a time will cost less initially but may not function so well in

the long run and prove more costly in the end.

Regard conservatory blinds more as an investment rather than an expense.Think about the cost of the furniture and other soft furnishings that you’re putting in the conservatory. Blinds, especially those with a high performing reflective coating will prolong their life by protecting them from the sun’s damaging rays.

Choose blinds in clotted cream hues and team with classical French furnishings to create a timeless elegance. Finish wooden floors in a milky wash to completethe look.

Blinds featured are Crush Latte pleated (sides)

and Sasso Natural pleated (roof).

Blinds featured are Crush Taupe pleated (sides)

and Crush Ice pleated (roof).

It’s less critical to have reflective coated fabrics on the sides of the conservatory,

but pleated blinds are still a great choice as they fold away to almost nothing when

pulled up and can fit snugly into the window recess to give a lovely neat appearance

when down.

Blinds featured (left) are Elsberry Autumn pleated (sides)

and Grenoble Beige pleated (roof).

Fitting roof blinds into tricky conservatory spaces can be a challenge so it’s really worth making use of Britannia's specialist advisors to select the best blind types and colours to suit you and especially measuring to avoid costly mistakes.

Britannia’s new roof blind system works for lean to, gable end and more traditional shaped conservatories, and prevents fanning by keeping fabric taut and in place when blinds are pulled up, for easy, hassle-free operation and a great look. Roof blind fabrics will often look lighter in colour than blinds at the side window as the light filters in at different angles. Go for a complete contrast to eliminate this effect.

Blinds featured (above) are Grenoble Beige pleated.

Blinds featured (left) are York Taupe romans (sides)

and Stratford White pleated (roof).

If you’ re after a sleek and contemporary look in your conservatory where the blinds fit flush to the window, allowing windows and doors to be opened with ease, opt for a pleated or venetian blind in a PerfectFit frame. This system is perfect for sealed unit upvc double glazing as the blinds fit seamlessly, with no need for drilling or screws, giving enhanced privacy as they ‘hug’ the window and cover any light gaps.

Blinds featured are perfect fit Turquoise venetians.

Consider crank operated blinds for easier operation if you need to open and close them on a daily basis. You can stick with wand operated blinds if they’re going to be left in place most of the time, say in a south facing conservatory.

Pleated roof blinds should be fully opened every week to ensure that the pleated effect is maintained as the fabric has a memory!They simply need to be dusted using a dry duster, but be careful not to damage the pleats by pressing too hard. And a great way to get rid of dead insects that can collect behind roof blinds is to use a hairdryer to blow them out and onto the floor!

Blinds featured are Crush Ice pleated (roof) and Crush Taupe pleated (sides).

What type of blinds are available?

Versatile vertical blinds offer enormous control over how much light you filter into your conservatory. When fully drawn they offer privacy whilst softly blocking out the sun’s rays and can be neatly pulled to the side when not needed. They can be fitted easily, even to sloping windows.

Blinds featured are Capri White pleated (roof) and Beckett Ginger verticals (sides).

Stylish venetians are a great way to achieve a clean, minimalist look. The rangeof shades and finishes available means you can be softly subtle or make a striking statement. Wooden or ‘aluwood’ venetians are great for warming up the look ofyour conservatory and bringing a little of the outdoors in.

Blinds featured are Crush Caramel pleated (roof) and Oak Leaf wood venetians (sides).

Clean and unfussy, rollers are ideal when you want to make the most of your space. Different fabrics allow you to vary the amount of light let into the conservatory, with delicate translucent styles offering a modern alternative to net curtains. Make them as individual as you are with shapes at the bottom, braids and accessories.

Blinds featured are Mini Stripe Grey pleated (roof) and Linea Green rollers (sides).

Roman blinds bring a touch of sumptuous style to your conservatory, combining the luxurious feel of curtains with the simplicity of a blind. They also provide a stunning solution when it comes to privacy. If you use your conservatory at night, fully lined romans will give a feeling of warmth and seclusion.

Blinds featured are Crush Natural pleated (roof) and Missoni Charcoal romans (sides).

Blind Inspiration

Britannia Blinds, the conservatory blinds experts, has plenty of hints, tips, advice and inspiration for using blinds to make a difference in your conservatory as well as one of the largest fabric collections available.

(Opposite) Retro was never more now and never simpler to inject into any room in the house. These chic horizontal striped pleated blinds introduce the best of hip yester year and look great in, as seen here, a bachelor pad.

Blinds featured are Enigma Sunset pleated (sides) and Sasso Natural (roof).

Accessories can alter the look and feel of a room and create a completely different mood. Changing the colour or style of window blind in any room can help transform it into a bright, light space, perfect for a children’s play den.

Blinds featured are Fontwell Blue pleated (sides) and Stratford Cream pleated (roof).

Try to give your conservatory a purpose so you have an excuseto go into it every day. We love the idea of eating in a conservatory.

Blinds featured are Kudos Mist (roof) and Messina Black (sides).

With north-facing conservatories, heat and light are likely to be at a premium. As you may not need the benefits of sun-reflective backings, you can really experiment, choosing from a wide range of colours and textures. Consider using blinds with an opaque finish, which will allow the light in and give the room a soft, cosy glow. And of course, fabrics in bright shades bring in the sunshine whatever the weather.

Blinds featured are Minster Mango pleated (sides) and Stratford Cream pleated (roof).

If you work from home, why not make your conservatory work for you? Who wants to be stuck in a tiny box room or the confines of a loft space? Shed a little light on the subject and get a room with a view with a light, bright and perfectly peaceful home office.

Blinds featured are Torino Navy perfect fit pleated (sides)and Sasso Natural pleated (roof).

Use on-trend block colour in a conservatory on roof and side blinds to createa dramatic effect such as this vibrant, sherbet yellow which retains all the warmth of winter sunshine and dapples and softens the light of high summer sun.

If you’re lucky enough to have lots of space, use it! Even the biggest conservatories can be really relaxing retreats, just choose deep tones to create a cosy feel. Then it’s all about adding accessories to give a colonial twist or a touch of classic style.

Blinds featured are Armari Chocolate pleated (sides) and Grenoble Beige pleated (roof).

Blinds featured are Crush Lemon pleated (sides) and Crush Mustard pleated (roof).

Summertime temperatures can soar as high as 55 degrees in your conservatory, especially if it faces south, which can make it a pretty uncomfortable place to be. Especially if likea growing number of homes it’s an extension to the kitchen. Sun reflective pleated blinds can help you to keep your cool.

Blinds featured are Glamour Truffle pleated (sides) and Mini Stripe Grey pleated (roof).

Abundant light means you don’t have to be afraid of colour in a conservatory as the sun’s glare can make pale colours look insipid.A vibrant red or orange pleated blind in a kitchen will add warmth and cheer.

Blinds featured areLiana Blush pleated (sides) and Stratford cream pleated (roof).

Link the colour scheme of the adjoining room to make the conservatory feel like an integral part of the house.

Blinds featured are Capri Terracotta pleated (sides) and Ministripe Mustard pleated (roof).

Garden rooms are a great way of creating a halfway house between outdoors and in and are incredibly versatile.

Blinds featured are Acacia Pebble rollers.

Fancy a really alternative bathroom?Then why not turn your conservatory into one!

Pleated blinds aren’t just for conservatories:

Whilst they are undeniably the perfect option for conservatory roofs, pleated blinds are sleek, practical and work well in any setting throughout the house, whether it’s modern, traditional or period. They filter the light beautifully, are a stylish alternative to net curtains and neatly fold away to give maximum control of light in your home.

Blinds featured are

Vesta Lilac Tab pleated.

Blinds featured are Lynx Sapphire

pleated in roof and sides.

History of the Conservatory

When conservatories were fi rst introduced in the 18th Century, they were simply

places for potting and preserving plants. As our ancestors travelled to increasingly

far-fl ung corners of the world, they returned with all sorts of exotic botanical

specimens which they placed in an orangery.

The orangery eventually became a glasshouse and people soon saw the benefi ts of

being able to enjoy views of the great outdoors while at the same time remaining

sheltered. As building techniques advanced and became cheaper, more homes

could aspire to having a conservatory and the domestic version started taking place.

Then when double glazing was invented in the 60’s, the conservatory industry as we

know it was kick started into action.

Today’s conservatory has moved on considerably from the plant-fi lled, secondary

sitting room of yesteryear to become a valuable space that can have any number

of different uses.

Here are some of our top tips:

• Use cordless blinds in children’s bedrooms, Britannia Blinds suggest choosing pleatedblinds with tab opening to ensure no cords at all

• Alternatively try a spring mechanism on roller blinds – a short cord that hangs from the middle ofthe roller to operate, eliminating the need for sidewinder chains with loops

• Move beds and cribs away from windows or any furniture that children can climb on• Only buy blinds manufactured after 2010 – when the new safety regulations

came in, every single blind is made-to-measure to your exact requirements and is fitted with a safetydevice as standard

• Keep all cords out of reach of children• Ask your advisor for the shortest cords possible for each blind you buy or tie

them out of a child’s reach• All of Britannia's made-to-measure blinds come with a warning sign to highlight

the dangers of cords on blinds• Opt for wands rather than cords on products like Venetian blinds• Use cleats that fix to the wall to tie loose cords around• For the conservatory we offer the option of Perfect Fit blinds so there’s

no cords hanging down to worry about

CHILD SAFE

MAKE IT

Child Safety

All parents will want to keep their children safe at home and Britannia Blinds is at the forefront of product innovation when it comes to child safety.

Andrew Smith, head of product development at Britannia Blinds, talks below about keeping blinds safe for children.

“While window blinds are a beautiful addition to the home, precautions need to be taken if you have small children as the looped cords and chains can represent a safety hazard.

For more information please call us on

0800 118 2427

or email

sales@britanniablinds.co.uk

and to view any of our other products please visit our website at:

www.britanniablinds.co.uk