External solar blinds recommendations please

[mads]

Hello all,

The south and west sides of our self-build will have fairly large triple glazing, which is great to let light in and enjoy the sunshine. However, it does create the issues of solar gain.

 

I want to derisk this as part of the build, rather than afterwards by installing motorised external solar blinds. I’m not a fan of the Venetian blind style and prefer the fabric roller blind type on wire or guides. I have been looking around and they all seem to be bulky and not “hidden”. 
 

It is a traditional brick and block build. Has anyone fitted blinds like the above and part of the fabric as it were? I saw someone one here had done it for a wooden cladded structure but not found anything for brickwork. The walls will be 350mm so I can set the windows back if necessary. 

 

Thank you.

[JohnMo]

I have toyed with the idea of something more like this (awning) rather than external blinds.

 

 

You normally have big windows because there is something to see. Blinds get in the way of that, an awning doesn't.

[mads]

Quote

21 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

You normally have big windows because there is something to see. Blinds get in the way of that, an awning doesn't.

 

 

 

I was looking at blinds that still let you see through them rather than create any visual impairment of the views

[Bramco]

@mads

 

We have venetian blinds - there is an advantage to these - between the autumn solstice and the spring solstice, they let the sunshine through and you get the solar gain but from the spring to autumn, the height of the sun means the blinds stop the solar gain.  Ours is a timber frame build with wood cladding - photos at https://lhc.net/projects/ashcroft-creating-a-low-energy-family-home/. As you can see, we also have overhangs on the ground floor.

 

Ours were from Hallmark blinds but I think they are manufactured in Poland or somewhere like that.  There's another thread on here about them.

 

As for the build, I don't see why you can't make room for these in any type of build. It's best to fit a cassette during the build, so that it is easy to then install the blinds. I'd also go for a wireless controller, rather than wired. Ours are all wired but they give me quite a headache when it comes to cleaning them on the first floor balcony. I need my other half to be around to open them once I'm done, otherwise I can't get back in off the balcony!!

 

Also, when we were still in the design phase, I came across a system for the lintels across the top of the window that incorporated the cassette, so a good all in one solution. Can't remember the name of the supplier but I'm sure your favourite search engine can find them. If not give me a shout and I'll try to find the spec again.

[mads]

Quote

1 hour ago, Bramco said:

@mads

 

We have venetian blinds - there is an advantage to these - between the autumn solstice and the spring solstice, they let the sunshine through and you get the solar gain but from the spring to autumn, the height of the sun means the blinds stop the solar gain.  Ours is a timber frame build with wood cladding - photos at https://lhc.net/projects/ashcroft-creating-a-low-energy-family-home/. As you can see, we also have overhangs on the ground floor.

 

Ours were from Hallmark blinds but I think they are manufactured in Poland or somewhere like that.  There's another thread on here about them.

 

As for the build, I don't see why you can't make room for these in any type of build. It's best to fit a cassette during the build, so that it is easy to then install the blinds. I'd also go for a wireless controller, rather than wired. Ours are all wired but they give me quite a headache when it comes to cleaning them on the first floor balcony. I need my other half to be around to open them once I'm done, otherwise I can't get back in off the balcony!!

 

Also, when we were still in the design phase, I came across a system for the lintels across the top of the window that incorporated the cassette, so a good all in one solution. Can't remember the name of the supplier but I'm sure your favourite search engine can find them. If not give me a shout and I'll try to find the spec again.

 

lintels that can incorporate the cassette is what I am after so if you do find the supplier, that would be helpful.

 

re wired vs wireless, I was planning to go with wired but have them connected to Home Assistant so I can control from my phone.

 

thanks for sharing the benefits of Venetian blinds. Makes sense. I think it’s my aversion to them from an aesthetic perspective is something that could be overcome if can find some that don’t remind me of the internal ones I had in my first home. 

[Bramco]

@mads

 

This isnt the one I was thinking of but might be an alternative - https://anwis.pl/en/solidbox-external-venetian-blind-flush-mounting-system.

 

I'll see if I saved the one that is integrated in a file somewhere.

 

Another thought as well. You'll probably want sliders rather than bi-folds so that you can open them with the blinds down.  And another plus for external blinds is you can dispense with curtains - we haven't any curtains in the house!  🙂

 

Our triple glazed sliding doors came from Express bifold doors in Leeds. Excellent after sales service, think they've been back 4 or 5 times for minor fixes in the last 2.5 years.

[Bramco]

@mads

 

Found it!!!

 

https://www.heluz.com/en/product/load-bearing-slatted-and-roller-shutter-lintel-heluz-380-x-238-x-1250

 

 

These look brilliant - but in the end we went with standard steels as part of the timber frame package, then had to fettle the openings as the timber cladding went on...

Edited Wednesday at 12:03 by Bramco

[mads]

45 minutes ago, Bramco said:

@mads

 

Found it!!!

 

https://www.heluz.com/en/product/load-bearing-slatted-and-roller-shutter-lintel-heluz-380-x-238-x-1250

 

 

These look brilliant - but in the end we went with standard steels as part of the timber frame package, then had to fettle the openings as the timber cladding went on...

 

Fantastic - thanks for finding and sharing. And agree, they look good.

 

Good shout on the sliding vs bi-folding. Looking at juliet sliding doors on ground and first floor