The Challenge
James had begun a self build garage extension to house his collection of high end cars. The new structure featured two large roof lanterns, two sets of bi fold doors and four windows, all designed to bring in generous natural light. It was a beautiful architectural choice, but it immediately raised a concern. Sunlight can fade leather, damage dashboards and degrade paintwork, and James was very clear about the risk. He explained that if he could not protect the cars properly, he would rather not keep them at all.
He also wanted the space to remain flexible. One day it might become an office, a gym or even a bedroom, so full blackout performance was essential. The blinds needed to be completely concealed, structurally integrated and motorised across every opening. This was not something that could be added at the end. It required early planning, coordination with multiple trades and a system that would disappear into the architecture.
The Vision
From the outset, James had a strong design philosophy. He liked blinds and shutters, but he did not want to see them. He described it simply: he wanted the blinds to “appear when I want them to appear, and almost magically disappear when I don’t.” The goal was a clean, uninterrupted aesthetic where the blinds were invisible until needed.
He also wanted the concealment to extend into brickwork, not just timber frames, which introduced additional structural considerations. Power, recess depths, load bearing and access all had to be planned before the build progressed. The space needed to work perfectly today as a garage, but also be ready for future use without any compromise in comfort or design.
Our Solution
James worked closely with Chris, WindowTreat’s specialist in electric roof lantern and gravity drop blinds. He appreciated having someone who could guide the electrician and carpentry team, helping them understand how to build the correct spaces and supports. He noted that integrating blinds into brickwork is unusual and requires more thought, but the collaboration made the process smooth. As he put it, “You’ve got to consider this from the outset. Power, structure, carpentry, brickwork. It all needs thinking through.”
Together, they developed a fully concealed shading strategy built around three key elements.
Athena Roof Lantern Blinds provided the blackout performance needed to protect the cars and future proof the space. Zip blinds were selected for the windows and bi folds to ensure complete light sealing. Blindspace concealment boxes were installed during the build and powder coated to match the timber frames so the blinds would disappear entirely when open.
James particularly valued the ability to colour match the Blindspace boxes. He felt that introducing a third colour would have made the blinds more obvious, whereas the matched finish allowed the system to blend seamlessly into the architecture.
The blinds are operated through a wireless wall mounted control panel. James keeps one in a small conservatory area of the house, which allows him to open the blinds without even entering the garage. He enjoys being able to sit inside, press a button and watch the blinds glide open as the space reveals itself.
The Result
The finished installation delivers exactly what James envisioned. The blinds are invisible when open, the blackout performance is total and the colour matched concealment boxes create a unified, architectural look. The cars are now fully protected from UV exposure, and the room is ready for any future use.
James described the finished space as having “the wow factor I wanted.” He felt the system was extremely good, praised the care and fitting, and said the end result was excellent and fit for purpose. His advice to anyone planning a similar project is to consider the blinds early in the build. With the right planning, he believes you can achieve a fully integrated result that enhances the entire space.
