Conservatory roof blinds can reduce glare and improve comfort, but this is where their benefits end. They’re often more expensive than they are worth, and there are several good reasons why people prefer a light conservatory roof replacement, which we’ll go into below.
They are fiddly
Conservatory roof blinds need opening, closing, tweaking, and adjusting, so they are effective. Not so much of an issue if you have a remote control, but the manual blinds are frustrating to use. You’ll get up a few times daily to adjust them so you can read in peace, and it’s rare for them to ever be perfect.
They are ugly
Conservatory roof blinds look fine when they’re in position, but in the case of fabric blinds, the fabrics stack deep when retracted and look awful. There’s no fix to make them appear elegant either – they always look awful when retracted. In the case of pleated blinds, these look better, but they stand out.
They have gaps
Fit and finish matter when it comes to a glazed conservatory roof because whatever is installed below it will be silhouetted. Gaps between the blinds and frames stick out and can allow sunlight to penetrate the room, and the worst part is you can’t adjust the gap because the blinds are fixed into position.
They do not eliminate glare
They reduce it, but they don’t eliminate it. You need blackout blinds to eliminate the glare a polycarbonate or glazed conservatory creates. These work, but they are the ugliest types of blinds available. They stick out like a sore thumb and are dark and dreary.
They do not remedy heat loss
Installing conservatory roof blinds to prevent heat loss is a fool’s errand. The blinds have no insulation, so they provide no barrier to prevent heat from escaping up and through the roof. To make a warm roof conservatory, you need to upgrade the polycarbonate or glazed roof with a solid one.
They need cleaning (and regularly)
Dust collects on blinds, and that dust gets thrown airborne whenever you use them. Not only is this annoying, but it also means you have to clean the blinds every few weeks, which isn’t ideal. You’ll need a stepladder to do a proper job – or a telescopic duster (one of those on a pole) to do a bad one and brush the dust off.
They can reduce house value
If you have conservatory roof blinds, you are showcasing that your conservatory isn’t pleasant to use. Prospective buyers won’t want to put up with cleaning the blinds or potentially having to replace them. A solid conservatory roof is a permanent solution that adds value rather than taking it away.
They do not improve energy efficiency
If you spend lots of money heating your conservatory, roof blinds won’t do anything to improve this. On the other hand, a solid conservatory roof will enhance insulation, keeping your conservatory warmer and slashing your energy bills. Over time, this will pay you back, helping you save money in the long run.
They are a temporary solution to your problems
These are the two most commonly cited issues homeowners have with their conservatory:
- Their conservatory is too cold in winter and too hot in summer.
- Their conservatory has too much glare, making the room unusable.
As we have already noted, blinds do nothing for thermal efficiency, and while they do eliminate some glare, they do not eliminate all of it. This may or may not suit you, depending on what issues you have with your conservatory.
A permanent solution to both these issues is replacing the roof of your conservatory with a solid roof. The Leka roof can replace your polycarbonate or glazed roof without additional building work or support.
It takes around 2-3 days to erect, and each Leka roof is made to order. The engineering time that went into the development of the Leka roof is vast, extending over several years with the input of master builders and structural engineers.
The result is a roof with JHAI certification, which enables it to be erected without local building control approval. JHAI signs off every installation, and customers receive a building control certificate demonstrating compliance.
