The Challenge
Sharon and Ricky had transformed the ground floor of their home with a full renovation and a new kitchen extension, complete with two striking roof lanterns measuring 1.8m x 2.4m and 2m x 3m. The goal was to bring more daylight into the heart of the home and create a bright, modern space for cooking, relaxing and working.
As summer arrived, the beauty of the lanterns came with a cost.
Solar heat poured through the large glazing, turning the rooms into uncomfortable hotspots. Glare washed across the wall mounted TVs and made video calls difficult throughout the day. Working from home became a challenge, and the family found themselves adjusting their routines around the sun.
The space they had invested so much care into was no longer consistently usable, and they needed a solution that restored comfort without compromising the clean architectural lines of the extension.
The Vision
Sharon explained, “I work from home a lot, and at certain times of day the sun hits me directly. It gets hot, and the glare makes it hard for people to see me on screen.”
The brief was clear. They needed a shading system that:
- Controlled heat gain from the large lanterns
- Reduced glare on the TVs and workspaces
- Preserved natural light without creating a blackout
- Maintained a clean, uncluttered aesthetic
- Performed reliably across very large lantern sizes
The answer had to be effective, discreet and engineered for performance.
Our Solution
During a detailed video consultation, we explored the technical demands of the project. With lanterns of this scale, many lightweight systems would sag or ripple under their own weight, especially in heat.
Internal blinds were still the right approach, but only if the system could remain perfectly tensioned and visually flat.
The ideal match was the Athena Roof Lantern Blind, a second generation engineered system designed specifically for large spans. Sharon selected a linen tone metallised fabric, chosen for its ability to reject solar heat while still allowing soft, filtered daylight into the room.
Engineered Tension System: Athena maintains a flatter, less rippled fabric finish without visible cords even across large lanterns, something simpler systems cannot achieve.
Exceptional Heat Rejection: The metallised backing reflects a significant portion of solar energy back out through the glazing, dramatically reducing heat buildup.
Glare Control Without Blackout: The fabric softens daylight while keeping the room bright and usable.
Clean, Minimal Aesthetic: When open, the blind disappears neatly into its cassette. When closed, the fabric sits smooth and elegant.
Effortless Operation: A wall mounted control allows Sharon to glide the blind across the lantern at the touch of a button.
The result is a high performance shading solution that enhances comfort without altering the character of the space.
The Result
The difference was immediate. Sharon now uses the space comfortably throughout the day, even during the hottest months.
Sharon shared, “I can literally feel the temperature drop as the blind glides across. The glare disappears instantly.”
The fabric finish is clean, flat and beautifully integrated into the architecture. The TV area is now fully usable, and the extension remains bright without the harshness of direct sun.
The installation team left a strong impression too, professional, tidy and respectful of the home.
And perhaps the strongest endorsement:
“I would recommend WindowTreat, and I already have.”
This project shows how a carefully engineered internal shading system can transform a challenging roof lantern into a comfortable, versatile living space without compromise.
