Conservatory Roof Blinds. Any way to cut costs?

Anthea~turner

Conservatory Roof Blinds.

I have had a quote for 6 pleated conservatory roof blinds and wondered if this is expensive or not.
Does anyone know of any DIY options or ways to get them made and fitted for less please?

My quote is 1 x pleated roof blind in either blackout or premium material
size is 28 inch width x 88 inch length = £115 per blind plus £10 per blind fitting costs. Total becomes £690 plus £60 fitting.

The same size in a cheaper but, non blackout, very thin fabric is £90 per blind = £540 plus £60 fitting.

If any one has an idea as to how or where i could save on these i would be very grateful to you. Thanks Anthea.

usignuolo

I have a rectangular conservatory and have put up sheets of cotton muslin, draped across the glass panels like ships' sails. I pin them up with brass drawing pins. I use cream muslin for a softer effect. They get a bit dirty but I take them down and wash them once a year. This does assume you have a wooden conservatory (to pint the drapes to).

If you have a circular or domed conservatory, when I was in spain some years ago, I saw an arrangement where a sort of tent could be pulled up into the middle using pull cords. Not sure how it was made but I imagine someone could advise.

Anthea~turner

That sounds like it would do the job nicely if i had a wooden conservatory.
Sadly its a big white looking upvc and brick one.
It has a victorian shaped roof, but i only intend to put blinds on the main part of the roof, which are the straight shaped roof panels iyswim.
This will save money and block out just enough sun, so that i can get some use out of the room in summer.
Thankyou for the idea. Anthea

lisahobden

you should try UV film that is applied to the windows, stops the heat and glare coming in and looks great - we had it fitted a couple of weeks ago and are thrilled with the result

sconhead

hi anthea
i work in the blind trade and we dont charge for fitting, £100 each sounds about right i will have to check when i get to work tomoz. Try and find a local company and get some more quotes. Put your postcode into the site below and it should find you some its the blinds association website.

http://www.bbsa.org.uk/

sconhead

Anthea~turner

Thankyou for your replies. As its always good to get some one else's opinion.
I wonder if the solar/ Uv film would be a similar price to the blinds. It sounds interesting.

At least i have an idea about the cost of blinds being the going market rate, but i really hope to find something that would be cheaper, even if i have to ask a reli to put them up as a diy fit. Once again thankyou. Anthea

fishing-girl

whatabout something like this
http://www.polycool.co.uk/

depends on your roof material

knowloads

Thats cheap, Thomas Sandersons, UK largest charge about £230-300 for rectangles (each that is) and more for triangles, add electric, reflector fabrics and soon +£5000 quotes are normal. (Pleated fabric). The heat can only be stopped from outside, glare can be reduced from inside. Even with blinds, the heat build up during the day, no windows open etc etc is still massive, and winter insulation they all mention very limited. Inserts seem ok for polycarbonate roofs, stick on stuff OK. BUT, using 15mm copper pipe clips screwd to UPVC, (200mm apart), copper tube or 15mm dowl, through a piece of fabric (dech chair styley) has worked for us for 12 years. Careful measuring and a castle shape top and bottom, as the meerkat says " SHIMPLE".

Volcano

knowloads wrote: »

The heat can only be stopped from outside, glare can be reduced from inside.

That's about right. If you are fitting blinds to reduce heat then don't expect them to work, you'll be better off saving your money and opening a window.

theblindman

blinds do work, as long as you get the right ones, you need the correct backing, either energy saver, or ESP, I fitted a victorian conservatory of roof blinds on tuesday and can tell you i started where the sun was and moved round keeping in the shade so as not to cook. The customer was more than happy to pay £1300 for these blinds, especially as i demonstated by getting them to stand in the conservatory with no blinds then drew them whilst they stood there, instantly cooler.
Can you not go for larger blinds rather than individal panels double them up, or with some fabrics from 'Eclipse' you could have two blinds!
The price doesnt sound too bad, though Im sure by shopping around you can get them (quite a bit) cheaper

missile

Anthea~turner wrote: »

That sounds like it would do the job nicely if i had a wooden conservatory.
Sadly its a big white looking upvc and brick one.
It has a victorian shaped roof, but i only intend to put blinds on the main part of the roof, which are the straight shaped roof panels iyswim.
This will save money and block out just enough sun, so that i can get some use out of the room in summer.
Thankyou for the idea. Anthea

You could try double sided velcro to attach the blinds.