What are skylight blinds & solar control?
Across Cornwall, our skylight blinds & solar control work covers electric blinds, blackout and solar-control upgrades for rooflights. Survey first, fixed price second, fitting third.
Stone cottages, slate roofs and conservation areas are common in the South West, and conservation-profile rooflights keep the roofline quiet. Holiday lets and second homes across the South West often want roof windows with blinds and remote opening for when the house is empty.
Towns in Cornwall
What you can choose
- Solar-powered remote blinds
- Solar-control glass replacement
- Electric pleated or roller blinds
- Blackout blinds
- Insect screens on opening units
- Retrofit to most rooflights
- Integral blinds never need dusting
Planning and building rules in England
Most rooflights on English houses do not need planning permission, provided they keep within 150 mm of the roof surface and below the ridge line. Listed buildings need listed building consent, flats have no householder permitted development rights, and an Article 4 direction can remove the rights in some conservation areas.
For English homes the energy rules ask for rooflights of 2.2 W/m²K or better and roof windows of 1.4 W/m²K (or WER Band B); most modern double glazed units meet both. The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, published in March 2026, apply from 24 March 2027 and keep the 2.2 W/m²K limit for rooflights.
Skylight blinds & solar control prices in Cornwall
Prices below are shown including and excluding VAT. In Cornwall, as elsewhere, making good inside and access equipment are the main variables.
| Option | Guide price inc VAT | Ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Integral blind in a new glass unit | £715 – £1,435 | £595 – £1,195 |
| Electric or solar blind Typical | £595 – £1,075 | £495 – £895 |
| Manual pleated or blackout blind | £355 – £595 | £295 – £495 |
How the job runs
- Tell us about the roof. Send the postcode, rough sizes and a photo or two through the form, WhatsApp or the guide-price tool.
- Free survey. For new installations a surveyor measures the opening, checks the roof build-up and talks through glass and options.
- Fixed written quote. You get the product, the work and the price in writing. Nothing is ordered or paid for until you agree.
- Fitting and handover. We fit, seal and make good, then hand over product data, warranties and any certificate paperwork.
Blinds & solar control in nearby areas
Common questions
What is an integral blind?
A blind sealed between the panes of the glass unit. It never gets dusty or damaged, but is ordered with the unit.
Are electric blinds worth it?
For high rooflights you cannot reach, yes. Solar-powered models avoid new wiring.
Will a blind stop a rooflight getting hot?
An internal blind helps with glare but some heat still gets in behind it. Solar-control glass or an external shade does more for heat.
Can I get full blackout?
Blackout fabrics in side channels give near-total darkness.
Do I need to be at home for the survey in Cornwall?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
