Conservatory Roof Blinds Cost

A glazed conservatory roof is perfect for letting in tons of daylight, but it can also impact the temperature control in the room, making it uncomfortably hot in the summer. It can also impact things like TVs with glare from the sun. Roof blinds are one way to get this under control, ensuring that the room remains functional and comfortable without any major changes to the roof itself.

Most homeowners in the UK will pay between £900 and £4,500 for roof blinds, supplied and fitted, based on the typical medium-sized conservatory. Manual pleated blinds will come in at around £2,000, or electric blinds will push the total up to as much as £6,500 for some spaces.

The full, final price will depend on the size and shape of the roof, along with the number of individual roof panels, the material of the blinds and whether the blinds are motorised or not.

Roof blinds almost always cost more than standard window blinds, as they sit overhead on sloping glass, will need to be triangular or tapered in shape, and require some tension to keep them flush to the panels themselves. This all adds time to the manufacturing and installation.

How Much Do Conservatory Roof Blinds Cost?

Most homeowners will pay between £900 and £4,500 for a full set of conservatory roof blinds, with the price including initial measuring, supply and fitting. Motorised systems and larger systems can be as high as £6,500, and every quote really is different.

The table below shows typical prices:

Some companies quote per blind, while others quote for the whole roof. For example, at £95 per blind, 16 panels would cost £1,520 before any additional charges.

Conservatory Roof Blind Prices by Conservatory Size

Here is a breakdown of typical supply-and-fit prices for common conservatory sizes:

The price isn’t based on the sizing alone; instead, it is made up of the number of individual roof panels and their shape, along with the total surface area covered. For example, a 3m x 4m lean-to conservatory with eight uniform panels could still be less than a smaller conservatory with tapered panels because each blind would need its own shaping, which would take longer overall.

If you also wanted blinds on the side windows of your conservatory, you would need to quote for these separately. The cost for these is between £30 and £80 per window, but made-to-measure blinds are often higher. You can find out more in this article.

Conservatory Roof Blind Supply Costs

The actual blinds often take up the majority of the cost of the total project, somewhere around 60-80%, but here is a pricing breakdown table to show how each style differs:

The main things that impact the supply-only price are:

• Blind Material: As you can see from the table above, pleated fabric is the cheapest, whereas materials like solar reflective and pinoleum can cost more.
• Number of Blinds: Naturally, the more panels, the more blinds, which means more cost.
• Roof Panel Dimensions: If the panels are longer and/or wider, they require more fabric and stronger tracks.
• Measurements: Shaped blinds for triangular or tapered panels cost more than simple rectangular-shaped blinds.
• Controls: Handles and telescopic poles are the cheapest way to operate the roof blinds, whereas motorised ones cost more.
• Motorisation: Adding a motor system to your blinds can add £100 to £200 per blind.
• Remote Controlling: Handsets usually cost somewhere in the region of £30 to £80 for the system; however, one remote control system controls all the blinds, so only one is required.
• Smart Controls: Adding a smart bridge or hub to the system costs between £80 and £200.

Because each roof design differs from home to home, a single per-blind figure can be fairly inaccurate. It’s a good idea to obtain a few quotes for the work.

Conservatory Roof Blind Installation Costs

Most conservatory blind companies will include the cost of measuring and fitting in a single quote. However, if you have bought the blinds separately, the average cost for labour and fitting alone is somewhere in the region of £250 to £600.

Your quote will depend on a few different factors. Most notably, the number of roof panels, as this will require more fixings and fittings like brackets, tracks and tensioning. Another consideration is the height of the roof, which will be the difference between the use of a stepladder or an access tower.

If you're choosing powered blinds, mains motors need a power supply, which may mean bringing in an electrician. Finally, consider the installation time. Most roofs are fitted in a single day, but larger or more complex roofs can run into a second day.

Types of Conservatory Roof Blinds and Their Costs

The type of blind you choose for your conservatory has the biggest effect on the price. Here’s how they compare:

Pleated Conservatory Roof Blinds

Pleated blinds are the most common choice for conservatory blinds. The fabric folds neatly into pleats and runs along the cords or guidewires, which hold the tension, preventing any sagging. Because this fabric is easy to cut, it can suit any shape of panel.

These types of blinds cost between £1,500 and £2,800, supplied and fitted, for a medium conservatory size, or in the region of £60 to £150 per panel, for the supply price only.

Pinoleum Conservatory Roof Blinds

Pinoleum blinds are created from thin strips of wood that are woven together with either an acrylic or cotton thread. These types of blinds will filter the light rather than block it, which provides a soft and dappled effect. The stiffness of the blind means that there is no sagging to worry about, and they can often be coupled with a reflective or insulation layer.

These types of blinds cost around £120 to £250 per panel for the supply-only cost, or between £2,000 and £3,000 for a medium conservatory, supplied and fitted.

Thermal Conservatory Roof Blinds

Thermal roof blinds use coated, pleated fabrics or a honeycomb fabric with reflective coatings on the outer face, which is designed to bounce away the heat of the sun, while the air pockets in the honeycomb structure adds another layer of insulation.

These types of blinds cost between £1,800 and £3,200, supplied and fitted, or between £90 and £200 per blind.

Blackout Conservatory Roof Blinds

Blackout blinds block almost all light passing through the material, allowing only the light at the edges through. Ultimately, this provides a dramatic amount of darkness, rather than complete darkness, but still more than enough if you plan to use the room as a home office, TV room, or bedroom.

The cost of these blinds is around £70 to £160 per panel for supply only, or £1,900 to £3,000, supplied and fitted.

Electric Conservatory Roof Blinds

Electric roof blinds make use of a small motor in the headrail of each blind, which is powered either by mains electricity or a rechargeable battery. They can also be controlled by a remote control, a wall switch or even an app. The cost is higher due to the technology.

These types of blinds cost around £2,500 to £4,200, supplied and fitted.

Manual vs Electric Conservatory Roof Blind Costs

Electric roof blinds typically cost considerably more than manual blinds for the same conservatory. So, for a medium roof you would be looking at around £2,500 to £4,200 for electric blinds, compared to £1,500 to £2,800 for manual blinds.

Electric Conservatory Roof Blinds Cost

The cost of electric conservatory roof blinds will typically be between £1,600 and £2,800 for a small conservatory, £2,500 and £4,200 for a medium one, and £3,800 and £6,500 for a large roof, supplied and fitted.

Here’s a table to help visualise the comparison:

There are a few additional things to consider when obtaining quotes from an installer:

• The number of motors required will impact the price. Most roof systems will utilise one motor per blind, while some systems will link several blinds on a single motor, so they open and close as one. However, remote controls will control all motors at once.
• Power supply is a consideration in terms of how the electricity is provided. There are battery- and solar-powered motorised blinds that don't require a mains electrical connection, which can help keep installation costs down. A mains-powered system may require additional electrical work.

Made-to-Measure Conservatory Roof Blinds Cost

Most conservatory roof blinds are made to measure, mainly due to the varying panel size on conservatory roofs. This will cost anywhere between £90 and £250 per panel, supplied and fitted. Even if panels are broadly the same size and shape, there will usually be a discrepancy of several millimetres, which may not sound much on paper, but in practice it makes ‘off-the-shelf’ blinds poor fits.

A blind company will first measure the roof and each panel individually, before ensuring each blind fits perfectly. Some common roof shapes include:

• Triangular panels: Found at the ends of Victorian and Edwardian roofs. These need shaped blinds.
• Trapezoidal panels: Tapered panels that are wider at one end, common on Victorian roofs.
• Victorian conservatory roofs: Faceted, rounded ends with many shaped panels, usually the most expensive to fit out.
• Edwardian conservatory roofs: Square or rectangular footprint, with a mix of rectangular and triangular hip panels.
• Lean-to conservatories: A single slope of rectangular panels, usually the cheapest roof to fit with blinds.
• Gable conservatories: Rectangular roof panels plus a tall triangular front, which may need its own shaped blind.

What Affects Conservatory Roof Blind Costs?

Two conservatories of a very similar size can receive completely different quotes, and there are a few reasons why:

Conservatory Size

Larger roofs, naturally, need more fabric to cover, along with more fixings and fittings like tracks and cables. As such, the overall price will rise, though on particularly large orders, there can be a cheaper ‘per panel’ cost.

Number of Roof Panels

Each panel on the roof will receive its own blind, so the panel count is often the biggest impacting factor on price. The more individual panels on the roof, the more measuring and fitting time is required, which drives the cost higher.

Roof Shape

For complex rooms, such as Victorian designs or L-shaped conservatories, the blinds need to be shaped in tapered or triangular ways, making measuring, cutting and fitting more complex.

Blind Materials

As we outlined in a previous section, each material has a different cost to one another. Standard pleated fabric is the cheapest, whereas solar-reflective options tend to be on the higher end of the scale.

Manual vs Motorised

The addition of a motor to the system will immediately add between £100 and £200 per blind when compared to a manual option.

Accessibility

If the conservatory is difficult to work in, either through particularly high roofs or awkward access points, additional access equipment may be needed, driving the cost higher.

Controls

Remote controls, wall switches, sensors and smart home setups can increase the overall cost; however, many view this as a worthwhile investment for the added ease of use.

Location in the UK

Trade work is priced differently across the country, with locations in London and the South East much higher than the less densely populated areas of the north. This partly reflects local operating costs, and will impact the amount you pay for labour.

Additional Conservatory Roof Blind Costs

These costs aren't part of a standard roof blind installation. They're optional or only apply in certain situations, but they're worth budgeting for if they might affect you.

A note on the condition of the roof at this point. It’s usually best to have the roof cleaned just before the installation of the blinds, along with checking for any potential signs of leaks and damage. Water ingress can damage newly fitted blinds, as this can lead to costly repairs, and in some cases, full replacements.

How Long Does Conservatory Roof Blind Installation Take?

Most conservatory roof blinds are fitted in a single day. Here are typical on-site fitting times:

It’s important to note that made-to-measure blinds will usually have a longer lead time, usually in the region of 2 to 6 weeks. You should be aware of this when you come to obtain quotes so you can plan accordingly.

The process begins when you invite companies to quote for the work. The blind fitters will survey the roof, measuring each panel for their exact dimensions.

From here, once you are happy with the cost, the blinds will be ordered to the exact measurements, before being fitted with brackets, tracks and any other element of the blind system. Once fitted, each blind will be opened and closed to check that everything runs smoothly and fits flush to the windows.

Do Conservatory Roof Blinds Keep a Conservatory Cooler?

The addition of roof blinds to a conservatory can make a noticeable difference throughout the warmer months by reducing the amount of direct sunlight the conservatory receives, but it won’t prevent the glazing from heating up altogether.

The type of blind will impact the level of efficiency in this regard. Solar reflective fabrics will bounce more of the sun's energy back out of the glass before it heats up the room, while thermal blinds will use this alongside the additional layer of air, which slowly stems the heat.

Additionally, lighter and reflective materials generally absorb less solar radiation than darker materials. Blackout blinds block almost all of the sunlight passing through the material, but darker fabrics may absorb more solar energy.

The glazing can still heat up in direct sunlight, unless you have specialist glazing installed, such as solar-controlled glass.

Instead, the blinds form a barrier between the glazing and the rest of the room.

You should also be wary of precise temperature-drop claims on products unless the figure has come from credible testing in certain conditions. Without clear testing conditions, such figures may not reflect performance in your conservatory.

Do Conservatory Roof Blinds Keep Heat In During Winter?

Blinds are generally more useful for controlling sunlight and summer heat gain than they are as a replacement for an insulated conservatory roof. However, thermal blinds can provide some additional insulation during colder weather.

Thermal and honeycomb conservatory roof blinds will trap a layer of air between the room and the glazing, which can help reduce heat transfer. The amount of improvement will vary depending on the blind, fit, glazing and conservatory. If you are finding the room too cold in the winter, you may be better off exploring other solutions such as replacing the roof or upgrading the glazing.

Conservatory Roof Blinds vs Conservatory Roof Replacement

If temperature is an issue within your conservatory, here is how roof blinds compare with a more substantial upgrade to the roof itself:

Roof blinds are the more suitable addition when the problem is controlling glare and having a small impact on summer heat gain. If the roof is in any state of requiring repair, that should always be the priority. Likewise, if the temperature at large parts of the year makes it uninhabitable, you would be better served looking at a roof repair or replacement.

MyJobQuote has a range of helpful articles that can help you decide on whether an upgrade or replacement makes sense:

DIY Conservatory Roof Blinds vs Fitted Blinds

Completing a roof blind installation as a DIY project can save you somewhere in the region of £250 to £600 in fitting costs; however, there are a range of things to consider:

• Accurate measuring: Each and every panel needs to be measured independently, and the smallest discrepancy can cause major problems during fitting, either aesthetically or functionally.
• Roof shape: If your conservatory roof has tapered or triangular panels, the complexity of the job increases substantially due to the awkwardness of measuring, cutting to size and fitting.
• Working at height: Spending a long period working statically on a ladder is much harder than you may think, as is stretching and working overhead while maintaining the accuracy required for a job like this.
• Fixing: The brackets for roof blinds will require screwing into the roof bars, but fixing to the wrong areas can damage the frames and seals, which could void warranties and allow moisture into the room.
• Alignment: Tensioning wires and headrails will need to line up correctly to ensure the tension remains even, preventing any sag. This can be quite tricky.
• Electrical components: The addition of remote controls, motorised components and other electrical elements can make the installation more complex, although battery-powered blinds don't require a mains electrical connection. If a new mains supply or alterations to the fixed electrical installation are required, an appropriately competent electrician may be needed.

Ultimately, if you have a very simple rectangular panel make-up, a DIY job could work and save you some money, but often, people opt for a blind fitter to avoid the measuring, fitting and working-at-height involved.

How Long Do Conservatory Roof Blinds Last?

The lifecycle of most conservatory blinds is around 7 to 15 years, although that can differ by a few years either side depending on a few different factors.

Firstly, heavier fabrics tend to hold up better than thinner fabrics over time, mainly due to the coating that protects them better from prolonged sunlight. The amount of use the blinds receive also impacts their lifespan.

Blinds that are opened and closed several times a day are more prone to wear and tear, and likewise with motors that may need fixing and replacing throughout the years.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of the blinds will help them remain functional and looking their best the longest, preventing a build-up of dust and grime. Finally, condensation and moisture can cause mould spots and staining, and can damage wooden pinoleum blinds.

Are Conservatory Roof Blinds Worth the Cost?

Of course, one of the most important questions for any homeowner before investing in something for their home is: is it worth it?

Below is a breakdown of pros and cons to help you decide.

Pros

• ✔ Control the sunlight into the conservatory throughout the day
• ✔ Reduced glare on screens and inhabitants
• ✔ Privacy for any roofs that are overlooked by neighbours
• ✔ Wide range of colour choices
• ✔ Slight improvement on heat gain in the summer months
• ✔ Some additional insulation in the winter, depending on the blind and glazing

Cons

• ✖ Repairs can be harder to blend. Matching replacement materials can be difficult
• ✖ Maintenance of pleated blinds and fabrics throughout the years
• ✖ Awkward access for some manual blinds
• ✖ Motors and batteries may need replacing, maintaining and charging over time
• ✖ Reduced natural light when blinds are closed

If your main issue is glare, then blinds can be a useful addition to your conservatory, but if you require more temperature control, your money may be better spent elsewhere.

What Does a Conservatory Roof Blind Quote Include?

The quote for conservatory roof blinds should include the following:

• Measuring: A home survey should include the measurement of each and every panel
• Made-to-measure manufacturing: The blinds themselves should be manufactured to the exact size of your panels, not off the shelf.
• Blind material: The quote should specify exactly what type of blinds are being supplied
• Frames, tracks and other fixings: The quote should detail inclusion of all the necessary components
• Installation: An obvious element, the quote should include the full fitting.
• Motors and Controls: If requested, this should be clear on the quote.
• Electrical Work: If required, the cost of electrical work should be included on the quote.
• Extras: The quote should clearly state any extras such as VAT, travel or removal of existing blinds, if necessary.

Hiring a Conservatory Blind Installer

You should always look to obtain at least three quotes from different blind companies so you can compare the price and what's included. But there are also a few other things to tick off during the hiring process:

• Written Quotes: Obtain three or more quotes in writing which itemise everything included in the price
• Similar Roofs: Does the company regularly fit blinds to conservatory roofs similar in size and shape to yours? This is particularly important if your roof is uniquely shaped.
• Have you checked reviews? Read feedback from other homeowners on their MyJobQuote profile.
• Warranty: Check what warranty is offered on the work and how long it lasts.
• Are they insured? Public liability insurance covers you if something is damaged during fitting.

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