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Success Story: Sarah’s 30 Year Orangery Refurbishment

The Challenge

When Sarah and her family extended their home 30 years ago, the new conservatory and its two roof lanterns became a bright and much loved part of daily life. Over time the lanterns began to leak and the original blinds had become worn and ineffective. The south facing aspect meant the room overheated easily and the glare made it difficult to enjoy the space for long periods.

The blinds no longer controlled the heat and the conservatory felt uncomfortable during the brightest parts of the day. Sarah described the problem simply. “We get a lot of light coming in and it can be really intense.” The space needed a complete refresh that would restore comfort and make the room usable again.

The Vision

Sarah wanted the refurbishment to feel modern and streamlined. The new lanterns already improved the look of the space, but she needed blinds that would work with them visually and practically. She wanted smooth operation, reliable heat control and a clean appearance that suited the updated decor.

Flexibility was important. The sun moved across the room throughout the day and she wanted the ability to open the blinds halfway or operate each side independently. She also wanted fabrics that would complement the new colour scheme rather than defaulting to plain neutrals.

Her goal was clear. She wanted the conservatory to feel enjoyable again. Bright but not overwhelming. Comfortable throughout the year.

Our Solution

During her consultation with Chris, Sarah explored several options and quickly identified that modern horizontal electric roof blinds were the right choice. They offered a cleaner look than the shaped blinds she had previously and provided the flexibility she needed.

She selected a metallised fabric in a soft pearl tone. It reflected a significant amount of solar energy while still allowing gentle daylight into the room. The balance of light and heat control suited the way she used the space. As she put it, “It was a good balance for us.”

For the vertical glazing, she chose battery powered blinds to avoid visible wiring and maintain a tidy appearance. Fabric samples helped her understand how each option would look and how much light they would allow through.

The roof blinds were installed with mains power, coordinated between the electrician and the WindowTreat fitting team. The vertical blinds used discreet battery motors with simple handheld controls.

The Result

The transformation was immediate. The conservatory became comfortable again, even during the brightest parts of the day. The heat intensity dropped, the glare reduced and the room remained bright without feeling overwhelming. Sarah appreciated that the blinds allowed light through while still protecting the space from the strongest sun.

The twin roof blind system proved especially useful. She could open one half or both depending on where the sun was positioned. This gave her the flexibility to enjoy the room throughout the day without losing natural light.

The installation team made a strong impression. They worked carefully, checked details and ensured everything was set up exactly as she wanted. Sarah summed up the experience with a smile. “We are really pleased with how it has all worked out.”

Most importantly, the conservatory is now a space the family can enjoy again. The new lanterns and blinds work together to create a room that feels modern, comfortable and beautifully balanced.

Sarah was clear that she would recommend WindowTreat to friends and family. The combination of product quality, fabric choice, technical clarity and installation experience gave her confidence throughout the project.

Sarah’s Orangery refurbishment with Twin Athena systems with French Door & Window electric blinds
Author: Chris Gargett, Co-Founder - Director of Solutions & Operations
Chris Gargett

Chris is the lead technical specialist who personally guides homeowners from initial consultation to final installation, ensuring every shading solution seamlessly integrates with the architecture to preserve your dream home.

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