What are the best blinds for sunny windows?

One of the most common questions I get asked by clients who have those beautiful open plan kitchen diner rooms (yes I do have kitchen envy!) is “how can I control the glare and the heat from my bi-fold doors?”

Ideally, you need to try and stop the sun from warming up the glass – think awnings on the back of the house that extend out to stop the sun from reaching the glass but if you don’t have the budget or space to fit these then there are a few options to consider.

Honeycomb Pleated Blinds

Certain window types allow these to be inset within the frame or if space allows, they can be fitted above the windows. These blinds work by trapping the heat within the honeycomb structure to help stop it from entering the room and they work in winter too by keeping the cold at bay. There’s a reason why they were originally designed for conservatories!

If they are to be fitted above the window, it’s important to remember that when they are pulled up, they will hang down to a depth of around 15-20cm for the average height doors.

Roller Blinds

So many styles to choose from with roller blinds but if you really want to cut the heat and glare, then go for something like a screen blind that lets the light through so you can still admire the garden but it will cut the UV rays by up to 95%.

My top tip is to avoid white blinds as these will simply bounce more glare into the room. The best colours to go for are grey or black screen blinds.

Blackout roller blinds will also help, but the disadvantage of these is that it will also make the room very dark and you may find you need the lights on even in the daytime.

Vertical Blinds

In the past, vertical blinds have been more associated with office blinds, but they have come a long way in terms of design. These are a really good option if you don’t have a lot of space and want to fit them inside the recess as they stack back quite neatly. These also come in different energy saving fabrics to help stop the glare and keep the heat/cold the other side.

Motorised Blinds

So many benefits to having motorised blinds, especially if you have bi-fold doors that open out – you definitely don’t want the chains for manual blinds hanging down spoiling the view in the middle of the opening. Motorised blinds are available as plug in, hardwired or rechargeable battery operated – these have a hidden Lithium Ion long lasting battery that just needs charging around every 6 months with standard usage. simple to charge – you just plug the charging cable into the slot on the side of the blind. In most cases, you can operate the blinds with a remote control, an app on your phone or if you have the home hub, you can connect it via your own home automation system or Alexa etc.

Wave Curtains

Their popularity has grown immensely over the last few years and they are the curtain style of choice for many long drop windows. I’ve got to be honest here, they are not the most effective for dealing with the heat but they do a great job of diffusing the light, especially if you chose a taupe or grey colour fabric. If you’re looking for a softer look to the room, these are a great option as they also don’t take up too much space when drawn back.