Conservatory blinds

[MadAboutHotChoc]

I need to order new blinds for our conservatory - we currently have roller blinds but these are really grubby and ideally the new blinds would be easy to keep clean. No vertical blinds please.

Does anyone have any suggestions please?

I quite like the sails, very tempted actually, have a google.

we had cream concertina blinds and unfortunately asked that they be clippable at the top. this meant that it was impossible to get dead flies out and they looked manky after a year or so.
after that I got someone to put up 2 parallel poles, one along the top and the other along the bottom of the roof. then got some cheap light curtains from IKEA and hung them over the poles, keeping them in place with safety pins.
I find I only need them on the south-facing aspect, they're cheap, and I take them down in the Winter.

I need blinds that can be pulled up so maximise light and warmth and also when it gets dark, I like our privacy so will want to pull these down then.

The sails look good but we have specially coated glass roof so roof blinds are not required.

*to not so

Carlajean, could you put up a photo please. Sounds really good and I need to sort something form mine which doesn't cost the earth. TIA

heavenly because we've only just got back from 2 months away, they're not up yet, but if you want more description I'm happy to say more. the poles were the most expensive bit, but still a lot cheaper than special-made blinds.
if you want to pm me with your email address I could send pics though.

We've got Sanderson concertina blinds that clip top and bottom but they come off for easy cleaning. We've had ours about 8 years now and they still look as new. The colour range is amazing - we went for a lightish terracotta to match the brickwork. Unfortunately, they aren't cheap - a friend was recently quoted about £4,000 for her huge conservatory but they really are the best on the market. My tip is to get a quote then hold back - after a week or two the rep rings back with a good discount so never pay the first price they give you.

Figgy - have seen some pleated blinds. Are these easy to clean? I also worry about using a colour that will fade in the sunlight and white gets grubby really easily....

The Sanderson blinds unclip and you can either wipe them down with a damp cloth and a bit of soapy water or immerse them completely in the bath. I've done mine a few times as they get the odd fly marks etc.

Mine have a few mildew spots because, when they were first installed, we had a condensation problem. We bought a dehumidifier for use in the winter and don't have that problem any more but I have to admit I just can't get rid of the mildew spots. As they're right in the bottom corner they hardly notice, especially as I keep plants and nicky-nack stuff on the windowsills.

I forgot to mention that the reverse side (the one facing out to the garden) is solar treated so they keep the conservatory cool in summer and the heat inside in the winter. The inside colour hasn't faded at all. I still get loads of compliments about the blinds and several friends have gone on to order them too.

Thanks Figgy

Hi,

How do you remove these blinds? We are moving house and have been quoted over £200 to remove them!
Thanks

We have the sails. They look really good and are a far cheaper option than blinds.

They are also machine washable.