Electric Skylight Blinds - Made to Measure

Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Skylight Blinds

Why are skylight blinds important?

It's crucial to have skylight blinds since they help to maintain a cool indoor temperature throughout the hot summer months. Because of the discomfort caused by the sun's increased intensity in the summer, many individuals install shades on their lanterns or skylights. They regulate the amount of daylight and glare coming into your home through the skylight, darkening the room below, or simply cutting out glare that might cause distraction or discomfort whilst working or watching television.

Are skylight window blinds worth it?

Installing roof light blinds or shades over a skylight gives you greater control over the amount of daylight that enters a room. On sunny summer days, this is a great way to make the room feel cooler without turning up the air conditioning. They can also insulate against heat loss in winter months.

What is the difference between a roof lantern and a skylight?

Skylights, also known as roof lights, are usually single-paned windows, installed at the same angle directly into a roof which is typically pitched. Such windows are typically branded and come in stock sizes. Designed to provide height to flat roofs, roof lanterns are comprised of many glass panes installed at an angle to create either a pyramid shape or a pitched roof shape. They are normally mounted on top of the flat roof. Both skylights and roof lanterns are what are known as daylighting solutions in that they provide natural light and a feeling of space to the room underneath. However, both come with the challenges of heat and light control.

How do skylight blackout blinds work?

A blackout blind for a skylight is not the same as a standard blind for a roof window. Firstly, it will incorporate opaque fabric which completely obstructs the sun's rays. Skylight blackout blinds may have additional features to enhance light exclusion, such as cassettes, shelving and side channels. Side channels can be simple U-shaped profiles which the fabric runs within, or they can use what is known as a “zip” system where a zip is welded to the edge of the fabric and this runs within special side channels which trap the zip. This is great for superior light exclusion but also to prevent the sagging of the fabric.  Roof light blackout blinds are ideal for bedrooms, but they may be used anywhere. You can find them with manual control but many come with a motor for extra convenience.

How do remote-control skylight blinds work?

Remote control skylight blinds have motors incorporated in the headrail (for a motorised skylight cellular shade) or roller tube (for a roller-style blind). These motors can be mains or battery-powered, with options for solar power. Radio receivers are incorporated which allows them to be controlled by a handset, which may have one or multiple channels. To operate the blind select the channel to which the blind in question is paired. To open or close a single shade or a whole group of shades, press the corresponding up or down button.

How do you stop heat from escaping in a skylight?

Skylight glazing comes in a variety of grades and configurations of glass. Insulated glazing can consist of several panels of glass within a single sealed argon gas-filled unit. The glass itself can have low-emissivity (low-e) coatings. Heat-absorbing and reflecting tints can all be added for better energy efficiency. For additional energy efficiency, skylight blinds can be installed. An additional layer of fabric, regardless of type, at a window provides some degree of insulation.

However, some fabrics are specifically designed for heat retention, heat rejection and energy efficiency. Cellular (also known as duette) fabrics are particularly effective as the fabric consists of multiple layers of fabric in a honeycomb configuration. Each pocket is essentially an air pocket which provides superb insulation. The fabric can also incorporate a foil interior, which acts to further prevent heat transfer. 

Which is the most popular blind for skylights?

Many of your typical blind types may not be suitable for rooftop windows as they are designed to be free hanging. A skylight blind needs to run at the same angle as the window and therefore needs to be tensioned or run within side channels. Honeycomb blinds are the most popular blinds used for skylights. They are retained at the pitch of the window using tensioning wires. They can be manually operated or motorised using a battery, solar-powered or mains power. They can be easily tailored to your specifications with regard to size, covering small and large windows.

There are a variety of colors and designs available, and fabrics with different degrees of light exclusion. Their popularity is also due to their excellent energy efficiency, retaining heat in winter and rejecting it during the warmer summer months.
 

What are DIY skylight blinds?

DIY skylight blinds are a type of window covering that can be installed by the homeowner without the need for professional installation. These blinds are specifically designed to fit skylight windows and are available in a variety of sizes, materials, and colours to match your decor.

What are the benefits of Flat roof skylight blinds?

Flat roof skylight blinds are usually made-to-measure since most flat skylights (or lanterns) are also custom-sized. They offer several benefits, including light and heat control, energy efficiency, and privacy. Installing a flat roof skylight in your property is a great idea as it provides an enhanced feeling of space and of course plenty of natural light. However, we find that many customers struggle with glare, heat gain and heat loss and a flat roof skylight blind is an ideal solution to these problems. They allow you to regulate the amount of light that enters your space, reducing glare and protecting your furniture and flooring from harmful UV rays.

They also help regulate the temperature in your room, keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter, potentially leading to energy savings. Made-to-measure flat roof skylight blinds can provide a perfect fit for your skylight, ensuring maximum coverage and light control. Additionally, they can add a stylish touch to your skylight, complementing your decor and enhancing the overall look of your space.

Why blinds are a better choice than curtains for dormer windows?

Blinds for dormer windows are often a better choice than curtains for several reasons. Firstly, dormer windows are usually smaller than regular windows, and blinds are a more space-efficient solution as they take up less space when open. Curtains tend to be either fully open or drawn closed. This means that dormer window blinds offer better or more variable light control, allowing you to adjust the amount of light that enters your space. They also provide variable privacy compared to curtains. Privacy can be especially important if your dormer window is facing a busy street or a neighbour's property. Furthermore, blinds are often easier to clean and maintain than curtains, which can be important in hard-to-reach dormer windows.

How do I fit Velux blinds?

To fit Velux blinds, you can read the size code from the window frame, order the blinds that are the correct size, remove the old blind, clean the window frame and the area around it, align the blind to the window frame, secure the tightening screws and adjust the blind to make sure it is level and secure.
 

Can vertical blinds be fitted to skylights?

No, vertical blinds cannot be fitted to skylights. It is only possible to have Vertical blinds fitted to standard vertical windows.
 

Can I use electric skylight blinds in other parts of my house?

Yes, definitely! Electric skylight blinds can be used in various parts of your house. While they are primarily designed for skylight windows, they could also be used in other large, hard-to-reach window areas in your property. However, if you're looking for blinds specifically designed for French doors, you could consider vertical blinds for French doors. They offer great privacy, easy accessibility, and can be motorised for convenience. Always ensure to choose a blind type that complements your home's design and meets your specific needs.
 

What are the best blinds for wide windows?

The best blinds for wide windows will depend on your specific needs and preferences. However, some of the most popular options include venetian blinds, roller blinds, and vertical blinds. These can all be either manually operated or motorised.
 

Are electric orangery roof blinds a good option?

Electric orangery roof blinds are a great option. The blinds we make have Honeycomb structured fabric so perfect for insulating the space keeping the heat of the sun out in the summer and keeping heat in, in the winter. These are motorised so really easy to control especially if too high to reach and powered by a battery that has the option of being solar powered making the most of the sunny position.
 

What advantages do bespoke electric skylight blinds from NewBlinds offer?

NewBlinds offers bespoke electric blinds for your skylight that are custom-made to fit your unique space and design needs. These blinds are not just aesthetically pleasing but also offer user-friendly operation and improved energy efficiency for your home. With our bespoke electric blinds, you can easily adjust the level of light penetration and heat insulation to your preference, all at the push of a button. Plus, our blinds are available in a wide range of colours and fabrics, so you can truly personalise them to match your existing decor.
 

Can I purchase wide blinds for windows from your electric skylight blinds range? 

 Our electric pleated skylight blinds are excellent wide blinds for windows on your roof. These blinds are perfect for larger flat or pitched windows that span across a wide area. They offer the same convenience of remote control operation as all our electric blinds. Please ensure that you follow our measuring instructions before placing an order to ensure they fit your roof windows perfectly.