Optimising conditions in glazed extensions
Discover the optimal solution for enhancing glazed extensions with Uni-Blinds® integral blinds from Morley Glass
Glazed extensions have rocketed in popularity in recent years as more homeowners seek to add light-filled, bright and airy additional rooms where they can connect the indoors with the outdoors. Creating any building with large expanses of glass, however, does require measures to mitigate the effects of too much sunlight, particularly at the height of summer. And it is also vitally important to think about how to maintain privacy in the glazed extension, especially if the property is overlooked.
For glazed extensions created using double or triple glazed units, Uni-Blinds® integral blinds manufactured by Morley Glass can ensure both these objectives are achieved whilst retaining strong visual appeal. The Venetian and pleated blinds, which are permanently encapsulated within the IGU, give homeowners optimum control of internal conditions within their glazed extension for a variety of reasons.Quality is assured too as all Uni-Blinds® are created using world-leading ScreenLine® integral blind systems, and they are suitable for windows and doors of all kinds including bi-folds, sliding doors and French doors. There is even a version available for flat glass rooflights.
Reducing summer overheating and winter heat-loss
Standard IGUs offer some resistance to the heat in strong sunshine, but this can still build-up to uncomfortably high levels in rooms featuring large windows, doors and glass roofs. Hence why solar control glass is so important.
As all Uni-Blinds® integral blinds are made to order, customers have the opportunity at the design and quotation stage to specify several different types of glass, including two types of COOL-LITE SKN, one of the world’s best performing solar control products. These can be specified to ensure the IGU reflects more of the heat whilst maintaining very high levels of light transmission.
Solar control glass is not only effective at keeping the heat out, but it also retains heat inside the glazed extension at colder times of the year. COOL-LITE SKN 176 II, for example, which is a popular choice amongst Uni-Blinds® customers seeking this dual purpose, can offer a U-value of just 1.0W/m2K. This ensures the glazed extension can be enjoyed all year round.
All the sealed units which encapsulate the different types of integral blinds available in the Uni-blinds® range are also manufactured using warm edge spacer bars. These have a low thermal conductivity to further enhance the heat retention properties of the IGU.
Reducing glare
Integral blinds make it easy to control glare and reduce the brightness inside glazed extensions in even the most intense sunlight. Within the Uni-Blinds® range, homeowners can choose pleated integral blinds, which feature a high quality fabric to softly diffuse light, or Venetian blinds. Both types can be adjusted with ease using one of five different control systems to create the most comfortable conditions and lower the brightness.
Keep prying eyes out without compromising aesthetics
Whilst glazed extensions provide us with the opportunity to more closely connect our homes with the garden or other outdoor spaces, they are useable rooms which require protection from prying eyes like the other parts of the property in the evenings and at night. This could be achieved by installing curtains or traditional blinds mounted onto window and door frames or adjacent structures, but doing so may detract from the glazed extension’s visual appeal – and even make it look cluttered.
Choosing integral blinds ensures the glazing retains its clean sightlines, with only the blind’s control system visible externally. No other type of shading solution will look as sleek.
Easy to operate at high level
A final shading and privacy consideration for glazed extensions is how it would be operated if the structure features a high roof level. Again, the Uni-Blinds® range provides a solution through the MB System. This is a brushless motorised integral blind system which is controlled by remote control or integrated into leading smart-home systems including Loxone.
www.morleyglass.co.uk
