The Hottest Year On Record: Keeping Your Home Cool With Blinds And Shutters

Over the last few years, British summers have changed dramatically. Temperatures are climbing, heatwaves are becoming more frequent and although it’s lovely to have sunnier days, many of our homes simply aren’t designed to cope with extreme heat. In fact, climate experts have warned that overheating in UK homes is becoming a serious issue, with modern properties in particular struggling to stay cool during warmer months. So, let’s look at keeping your home cool with blinds and shutters

At All Kinds Of Blinds, Curtains & Shutters (AKOB) we’ve seen a huge increase in homeowners looking for practical ways to keep their homes comfortable without relying on bulky fans or expensive air conditioning. However, the good news is that choosing the right blinds or shutters can in fact make a significant difference to indoor temperatures. Not only that, they can also improve privacy, reduce light glare and help to protect your interiors from fading.

Why Homes Overheat So Easily

Many UK homes were traditionally built to retain heat during colder weather, not to release it during prolonged heatwaves. Large glazed doors, skylights and open-plan layouts may look stunning but they can quickly turn rooms into heat traps when direct sunlight pours through the glass for hours at a time. South-facing rooms are particularly vulnerable and during peak summer temperatures, sunlight streaming through uncovered windows can significantly increase indoor heat levels; making spaces uncomfortable for sleeping, working or simply even being in them for more than a few minutes. The key is to stop heat before it fully enters the room, which is exactly where high-quality blinds and shutters become so effective.

How Blinds And Shutters Help To Keep Rooms Cool

When sunlight hits your windows, heat enters through the glass and both furniture and flooring absorb the warmth, with the room itself then continuing to heat up throughout the rest of the day. By installing well-made blinds and shutters, you create an all-important additional barrier between the sun and your interior space.

Whilst most made-to-measure blinds can help to improve comfort, some styles are particularly effective when it comes to thermal performance. The following blinds are especially well-suited to keeping rooms cooler during summer and warmer throughout winter:

Roller Blinds

One of the most popular choices at AKOB are roller blinds. These blinds are minimal and modern to match contemporary interiors but many are also designed with specialist fabrics that reflect heat away from the room. They allow natural light to filter through whilst reducing glare and excessive heat build-up, making them ideal for open-plan spaces and south-facing rooms. Thermal roller blinds can also add an extra layer of protection; particularly in bedrooms, where keeping the room cooler and darker can improve sleep quality during hot summer evenings.

Pleated Blinds

Pleated blinds are one of the most effective options when it comes to improving comfort throughout the year. Lightweight and discreet in appearance, they fold neatly away when not in use whilst still offering impressive thermal benefits. Many modern pleated blinds use a honeycomb or cellular construction, which traps pockets of air within the fabric to help insulate the window. This creates a barrier which can help to keep rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

At AKOB, pleated blinds can be made out of semi-transparent or semi-opaque material and are available in a wide range of colours and designs. We also offer thermal and solar protective coating options and full blackout treatment; making them suitable for a range of rooms. 

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are often chosen for their luxurious appearance but did you know that they also offer excellent insulation properties? At AKOB, Roman blinds can be manufactured using thermal linings, blackout linings and interlining for additional insulation. This layered construction can help to reduce heat transfer through windows whilst adding softness and elegance to a room. They’re proof that practical cooling solutions don’t have to look clinical or overly modern.

Shutters

Shutters have long been associated with warmer climates for good reason. In Mediterranean countries, shutters are commonly used to block harsh sunlight whilst still allowing airflow and ventilation. Unlike fabric blinds, shutters also don’t trap heat against the window in the same way, making them excellent at maintaining a cooler temperature within a home.

One of the biggest advantages of shutters is flexibility, as you can:

• Tilt the louvres to reduce direct sunlight
• Maintain airflow whilst preserving privacy
• Control brightness throughout the day
• Reduce glare without completely darkening the room

Bifold And Patio Doors

For homes with patio doors, Blind Screen™ products have become an increasingly popular choice. These innovative window coverings are designed so that you can keep doors open during warm evenings without inviting insects indoors.

They combine:

• Honeycomb blackout screens
• Thermal performance
• Mesh fly screens
• Light control
• Airflow management

At AKOB we also offer a range of solutions specifically designed for bifold and sliding door systems; helping you to manage light and temperature without compromising the clean, modern look of the doors themselves. Popular options include motorised roller blinds, vertical blinds, Allusion blinds and pleated blinds.

Motorised Blinds

One of the fastest-growing trends in modern homes is automated shading. With motorised blinds and shutters you can operate window coverings whilst you’re still out of the house to protect the temperature and furnishings during peak heat hours. You can even create routines such as morning opening schedules and afternoon heat reduction settings. With the temperatures only getting warmer, this is about more than just a convenience, motorisation can genuinely help to regulate your indoor temperatures more efficiently.

At AKOB we offer systems from leading brands including Somfy, Louvolite® and QMotion, which allow homeowners to integrate blinds into wider smart home systems and operate with just the touch of a button.

Find Out More About Blinds and Shutters

As UK summers continue to get hotter, keeping our homes comfortable is becoming more challenging than ever. The right blinds and shutters can genuinely make a remarkable difference and create a far more comfortable living environment throughout summer.

Whether you prefer sleek roller blinds, elegant Roman blinds, timeless shutters or innovative systems like Blind Screen™ or Perfect Fit; the AKOB team can help you to find a solution that meets the needs of your home.

To find out more, simply book your free survey today and discover how the right window coverings can help you to stay cool and stylish all summer long.