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Conservatory Awnings
Drop & Sliding Arm Awnings
Folding Arm Awnings
Motorisation
Parasols
Roller Blinds / Screens
Tensile Structures / Shade Sails
Vehicle Awnings
Venetian Blinds
Window Canopies
Window Film
Anti-glare blinds
Blackout Blinds
Cellular Blinds
Conservatory Blinds
Dim-out Blinds
Energy Saving Blinds
Insect Screens
Internal Plantation Shutters
Mid-Pane Blinds
Panel Blinds
Pinoleum Blinds
Pleated Blinds
Roller blinds
Rooflight Blinds
Shaped Blinds
Soft Blinds
Tensile Structures
Timber Venetian Blinds
Timber Vertical Blinds
Vertical Blinds
Q: Which blinds are best for keeping a conservatory cool?
Blinds can significantly help reduce the heat gain in a conservatory in the summer and also help prevent heat loss in the winter. Internal blinds tend to be the most popular treatment but depending on the design of your conservatory you could use external blinds. There are many blind styles to choose from and many more fabrics and materials. See the conservatory blind section in the internal and external blind menus for further information. Remember you still need to have ventilation in your conservatory to vent hot air in the summer. Q: Can you advise me how best to clean my venetian blinds? Venetian blinds should be dusted regularly and you can even buy special devices to dust a number of slats at the same time. Venetian blind slats are made of painted aluminium so can be wiped with a detergent solution to clean them. Make sure you do not bend any of the slats. Venetian blinds can be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaning process – contact your local BBSA member for advice.
Q: I have young children - How do I make my existing blinds safer? The BBSA recommends that all cords and chains that operate or control window blinds are kept out of the reach of babies and small children. There are many alternative operating methods on new blinds and retro-fit devices for existing blinds. You can see more information and even a video here.
Q: Can all blinds be motorised? Virtually any type of blind can be controlled by an electric motor. The type of motor will be determined by the size and type of blind and whether it is an internal blind or an external blind. Internal blinds can be operated by low voltage motors, mains voltage motors or even battery operated motors. External blinds are typically powered by mains voltage motors. In most cases the motor is fully concealed so all you see is your blind. Once you have the motor there are a whole range of control options from switches to radio controlled handsets to automatic controls sun as sun and wind sensors on an awning. You can see more here
Q: I have a shaped window – what type of blind can I use? It depends on the size and shape of the window but many blinds can be made in a shaped format including vertical, venetian, pleated, roller, Pinoleum and even internal shutters. Shaped blinds call for expert measuring, manufacturing and fitting so make sure you choose a BBSA member. You can find out more about shaped blinds here.
Q: Can blinds and shutters really reduce my heating bills? Absolutely! The most efficient form of winter heat protection is external insulated shutters but internal blinds and shutters can also help retain heat in the winter by acting as an extra insulating layer. Recent research by Glasgow Caledonian University showed that a well fitted reflective roller blind with a single glazed window could reduce heat loss though the glass by up to 40% - the same as a pair of curtains.
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