Roof window blinds

Make more of the daylight coming through your roof windows

A roof window can fill a room with lovely natural light, but sometimes you want a little more control—particularly in a loft bedroom, home office or sun-filled extension. Roof blinds are designed to follow the angle of the window rather than hanging away from it. If you can tell us the make or model of your window, that's a great starting point. If you can't find it, don't worry; we'll talk you through what to look for and help work out which systems are suitable.

Start with the identification plate

Compatibility is the key question, so the first thing we ask is the window's make and model. Most roof windows carry an identification plate or label, often on the frame edge or inside the sash, which shows the manufacturer, a size code and a type or model code. A photo of it is a great help and, if you can, a photo of the whole window and the room. Our guide to identifying your roof window explains where to look. If there is no plate, the age, size and frame type can still help us work out what is possible.

What you can expect from the common systems

• Side channels or rails. Slim rails run down both sides of the window and hold the fabric in place, so the blind stays close to the glass as you raise and lower it.
• Pull handle or pole control. A handle on the bottom bar lets you pull the blind down, and for high windows a pole or a motor may be offered.
• Fixings. They normally attach to the roof window frame rather than the ceiling, using clips or small screws depending on the system. Ask how a given blind fixes.

Heat, light and glare

Roof windows let in a lot of daylight and can heat up in sunny weather. A blind can help reduce glare and sun entering the room, and a lighter fabric may reduce how bright the room feels without making it gloomy. Fabrics designed to block more light may suit bedrooms and loft conversions. Exact temperature and light results depend on the fabric, the fit, the window orientation and the glass, so we will talk through what to expect. Honeycomb or pleated structures are offered in some systems, so ask what the particular range includes.

If you want a very dark room, ask us about blackout fabrics with side channels, which can reduce the light that shows round the edges of the blind. See also blackout blinds.

Access and operation

Many roof windows are out of easy reach, in a ceiling slope above a bed, a stair or a bath. It can help to think about who will use the blind. Pole controls, rechargeable motors or solar-powered options are available in some systems, so ask what would suit. If you want the window to be openable behind the blind, check where the handle sits and how the blind clears it.

Staying safe on slopes and ladders

Fitting a roof window blind usually means reaching above head height, so we would suggest leaving it to us rather than tackling it alone on a ladder. Roof windows above stairs or landings call for a little care too, so it is best not to climb to operate them. For controls and cords near children's beds, the usual rule applies: keep cords and chains out of reach and consider motorised or cordless controls. BS EN 13120 is the UK standard for internal blind safety. Our guide to child-safe blind choices has more detail.

What to tell us before we visit

1. The make and model from the identification plate, if you can find it.
2. Photos of the window, the frame and the room.
3. Whether the window opens manually or electrically, and if it has a rain sensor or other fittings.
4. The room use, so we can discuss light level and heat.
5. Who needs to operate the blind, and from where.

When a roof window is a little different

Flat roof lanterns, rooflights set into a flat roof, curved roofs and conservatory roofs are different again and need their own solutions. If you have one, tell us and we will explain what is realistic. Our page on conservatory blinds covers conservatory roofs.

Tell us what you have and we will confirm what suits. Book a free measure or contact us with your photos.

Roof windows, Velux and gable windows

We supply roof blinds made to measure for Velux and other roof windows, and for gable windows. Tell us the make and model of your window, or the size of the gable. See our pages on blinds for Velux windows and roof and gable blinds.

More for roofs and gables

See gable blinds, conservatory roof blinds and skylight and lantern blinds.

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