Lantern windows and skylights offer an expanse of natural light in one of the most beautiful ways, with light gracing the room in a warm flood from above; however, they also present a tricky problem when it comes to window coverings – especially when the window is particularly high.
Thankfully, there is a stylish modern solution that enhances the skylight space and ensures window cover when required without the need to stand on wobbly chairs or use ungainly poles—motorised custom-made lantern blinds.
At the Scottish Shutter Company, we’re experts on bespoke window coverings to suit any requirement – read on to learn the main three things to consider before you buy lantern blinds.
1: Enhanced Light Control
Skylights and lantern roofs are among the best ways to bring sunlight into your building, but without decent coverings, they can become an ‘always-on’ problem, leaving you with no control over the light flooding into your room.
Lantern blinds provide precise control over natural light, allowing you to adjust the blind coverage exactly as you need to maximise your comfort when using the room. For some, this can mean revitalising the room completely. Consider the needs of someone working on a laptop or if you want to use the room to relax and watch a film—the glare that comes from a skylight can make that completely impossible: not so with lantern blinds.
But consider…
…the right fabric. It’s essential when choosing your lantern blinds that you choose a fabric with the opacity level with your specific need in mind; are you looking to block the light entirely, or do you prefer a warm diffusion? Discuss your room use with a specialist to understand the different options.
2: Improved Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency and insulation are essential when choosing lantern blinds—this is an opportunity to really reduce your building’s bills.
We all know that heat rises – which makes your lantern windows or skylight an important factor in how the heat is kept in the building. They’re doubly important, as during the warmer months, the opposite can happen with too much heat getting in through the wide expanse of the window that’s pointed directly at the sun!
Whether it’s wasting money heating rooms while a lot of that energy escapes through the skylight or running fans to keep the room cool in the days of blazing sunlight, lantern blinds can help you maintain an optimal indoor temperature to cut back those bills.
But consider…
…the best materials. If you are looking to improve your insulation, you need to be willing to look at higher-quality materials and a professional installation – cheap blinds that are poorly fitted will fail to provide the insulation benefits that are otherwise available.
3: Customisation and Aesthetic Appeal
Of course, one of the biggest factors in choosing your blinds is going to be how they look. Thankfully, customised lantern blinds are available in many styles, colours, and materials that will match any interior décor.
One key benefit is the use of the word ‘custom’. This means they are colour-matched and measured to fit perfectly, enhancing the room’s overall look.
Consider the difference between a cheap DIY blind that’s only available in a slightly off shade and fitted by an inexperienced enthusiast who’s struggling from not having quite the right tools or the extensive knowhow and a beautifully installed matching blind fitted by professionals and guaranteed for the next five years… it really is an unfair comparison.
But consider…
…the overall design theme, both now and in the future. Getting your professionally installed custom lantern blinds is going to be an investment, so make sure you don’t rush into a style decision. Take care to select an aesthetic that works well and with which you will be happy in the years to come – after all, you can make it exactly as you want it to be!
Getting the Best Lantern Blinds with the Scottish Shutter Company
At SSC, we work with the very best materials to ensure your lantern blinds are perfectly fitter and of the very best quality, with mechanised operation to use with ease. The Eliminate Skylight and the Skyline Skylight systems are made from the highest-grade components, with aluminium and stainless steel hardware and a range of custom fabrics for any setting.
Why not explore our range of custom blinds on our website or visit our showroom to see them in person? Contact the Scottish Shutter Company today.