Hot summers, blistering heatwaves, and large expanses of glazing make keeping your home cool a challenge. No one wants to be stifled by the sun; it's uncomfortable and, in extreme cases, harmful to your health. So, how can you prevent this from happening in your home?
A smart, stylish, and contemporary solution is Kensington Blinds external shading. Unlike internal blinds, external blinds are fitted to the outside of a building. The clever part is that they are designed to stop the sun’s rays from hitting the glass before they enter the home.
External blinds block the sunlight so the glazing doesn’t heat up, preventing the build-up of excess heat inside the building, while still allowing natural light to filter in. And another bonus is that you won’t need to rely on energy-hungry air conditioning to keep your home cool, making external blinds a sustainable, long-term alternative.
How Kensington Blinds transformed a tired Somerset home
When health visitor Lorraine Dooley commissioned Hadfield & Noblin Architects to renovate her tired bungalow in Somerset into her forever home, she wanted to make the most of stunning south-west-facing views over the garden and towards Bath.
This meant installing floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge and bedrooms, but Lorraine was sceptical about the architects’ suggestion to fit external blinds. “I must admit, when the architects talked about integrating external blinds into the design for the lounge and living rooms and two bedrooms upstairs, we were sceptical, but they explained it was the best way to stop solar glare and prevent the house from overheating.”
It soon became clear that external blinds would be needed sooner rather than later. “We noticed after a few months of moving in that the winter sun made the house very hot,” revealed Lorraine. “When we had a few hot days, it became very uncomfortable, and we realised they had to be fitted.”
Kensington Blinds took just a single day to install the Dooley’s blinds, and the effect was immediate. “We noticed the difference straightaway,” said Lorraine. “It was amazing; the temperature dropped dramatically. At the time, it was hotter inside than outside, but the rooms are nice and cool now.”
Lorraine adds, “The blinds have a solar sensor and come down automatically, so you don’t come home to a hot house. There’s also a switch in each room to control them.”
Another bonus is that the blinds don’t block any light. “We can still enjoy the view of the garden outside. One thing that we didn’t expect was how much privacy they offer, especially at night when it's dark; it makes the house feel much more private because no one can see inside.”
Why choose Kensington Blinds
Kensington Blinds is a leading supplier of external blinds with thousands of satisfied customers, making it a trusted brand. You can choose from a wide range of designs, colours, and styles for every window in the home.
Opt for low-maintenance, wind- and weather-resistant Fixscreen external blinds, designed to cover up to 22m2 of vertical glazing with a single blind. They are ideal for large windows, curtain walling, and sliding doors.
Alternatively, consider Topfix external blinds for horizontal or sloping glazing, particularly rooflights, large skylights, and orangeries. Or choose Renson Panovista external blinds, specifically designed for corner windows and sliding corner windows.
Perfect for Passivhaus homes, new builds, or those seeking to retrofit their current home with an eco-friendly element.
A professional perspective
While the Dooleys now appreciate the benefits of external blinds, architect Ines Noblin always knew they would be a good choice. “I built external blinds into the design from the start because of the south and southwest orientation of the house and the fact that it is designed with large pieces of glass, giving them a view of the garden, but which would create overheating.” She added: “Overheating has become more and more of a problem in the UK, especially over the past two to three years, and now needs to be considered for all projects.”
Ines joined forces with Kensington Blinds when she found they were the only company able to supply the specialised solar boxes that fit into the wall cavity. “Kensington Blinds are true experts; knowledgeable and helpful. They visited the site, I visited their offices, and they were always proposing solutions to potential problems.” She concluded, “I would definitely recommend Kensington Blinds.”
