In theory, a conservatory should be one of the most enjoyable rooms in the house. Yet for many people it becomes an uncomfortable and somewhat unused space during the summer months, with excessive heat, bright glare and fluctuating temperatures limiting its use.
If you’re currently comparing external blinds for conservatory roofs with internal alternatives, understanding how each works will help you choose the most effective solution.
Why external blinds are more effective
The key to the issue of which blind to invest in lies in its positioning. Internal conservatory blinds sit beneath the glazing, so solar radiation has already passed through the it. Internal blinds trap heat (between the fabric and the glazing) which creates a radiator effect within the room. Even high performing internal blinds (i.e. those with reflective coatings) can only reflect so much solar radiation away.
External blinds are fitted above the glazing, where they intercept the sun’s solar heat energy before it reaches the glass. By preventing solar heat gain at source, they help maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature throughout the day.
Research by the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) shows that well-designed external shading can block up to 97 per cent of solar heat, reducing overheating and helping minimise or completely rule out the need for air conditioning during periods of hot weather.
Keeping your conservatory bright and comfortable
Choosing an external roof blind does not mean sacrificing natural light: far from it. Caribbean’s Cayman conservatory roof blind is available in a Twilight mesh fabric, which diffuses bright sunlight while maintaining the view to the sky. Glare is reduced without making the room feel enclosed, while the fabric also helps protect furnishings from bleaching caused by UV exposure.
The blind can be positioned anywhere between fully open and fully closed, allowing you to regulate the amount of sunlight entering the conservatory as conditions change throughout the day.
A built-in tensioning system keeps the fabric taut at every position, while the fabric runs within side guides to minimise unwanted light entering around the edges. An engineered air gap beneath the guides allows warm air to dissipate naturally, preventing heat from building up between the blind and the glazing.
External or internal blinds: which is right?
Both external and internal blinds can improve comfort, but they perform very different roles.
Internal blinds can soften bright sunlight and reduce glare once it has entered the conservatory. They can also provide privacy and complement your interior décor. However, because they sit beneath the glazing, they cannot prevent solar heat from building up inside the room.
External blinds work much earlier in the process. By intercepting solar radiation before it reaches the glass, they reduce solar heat gain at source, helping to keep the conservatory cooler while still allowing plenty of diffused natural light into the room. They also help protect furnishings from UV exposure and provide an additional layer of insulation that can help reduce heat loss during colder months.
For homeowners looking for an effective, long-term shading solution, an external roof blind offers a practical way to make a conservatory more comfortable and usable throughout the year.
- For more information about external blinds for your conservatory, contact us here.
