The importance of shading the roof windows
Many people mistakenly think they can use the same roller shutter for a roof window as they would for a classic window. That is a huge mistake, though! Roof windows are inclined, so a normal shutter will sag under its own weight and the fabric would not stay where it is supposed to.
Special roller shutters, blinds, and Plisse systems for roof windows therefore include guide rails – the fabric or slats are held in place by aluminium rails on the sides, keeping them right up against the glass, whatever the angle of the window. Moreover, no light shines through at the sides thanks to the guide rails, especially in case of blackout versions, which is key for attic bedrooms.
The fabric is just as important. Due to their inclination, roof windows are exposed to the sun much more and longer than vertical façade windows. In the summer, when the sun is high in the sky, the rays pour down on the roof windows at almost a right angle. This means the fabric quality does not only affect the level of shading, but primarily the amount of heat entering the room (absorption and reflection properties).
Roller shutters for roof windows
If you are looking for a fast and effective solution, try roller shutters for roof windows. They travel along the aluminium guide rails, remaining taut even if you open the window to a wide angle – roof windows are usually hinged or tilt-and-turn. The guide rails are attached to the window's casement, so the shutter moves together with it. You can therefore have the window open to ventilate, and the shutter will continue to provide effective shade.
The big advantage of the ISOTRA R-Lite system is a wide selection of fabrics. You can choose a slightly transparent variant that softens the daylight, or a blackout fabric to have pleasant darkness in the bedroom even on a summer morning. It all depends on how much light and heat you want to let into the room.
Blinds
If you are not looking for a maximum possible shading, but just want to deflect bright sunshine while retaining the view, choose roof blinds. The V-Lite model is so designed that the slats remain in the right position even on an inclined window. After slightly tilting the slats, soft light will be coming inside without glaring. The ability to precisely control the direction and amount of light is the main advantage of blinds over roller shutters.
Plisse
Looking for a shading system that is not only effective, but will become a design element in the interior? Buy Plisse blinds. They look like an elegantly folded accordion, but compared to a classic shutter they offer much greater variability. The most interesting variant is the Duo Plisse, consisting of two separately controlled parts.
You can pull the upper part down to block out the harsh midday sun, while the lower part remains open. Or you can cover the lower part for privacy and leave the upper open. It all depends on where the sun is shining from at the moment.
If your priority is protecting the attic rooms from heat, the ideal solution is exterior shading, such as the SCREEN SKY shutter. It will block out the sun's rays before they reach the glass, thus reducing the amount of heat that gets in.
What will be the best option for you?
Unfortunately, there is no universal solution, as everyone has different requirements when it comes to shading. If your main priority is to reliably block out the light in a bedroom or children's room, roller shutters for roof windows are the best alternative for you; but if you work at a computer during the day or look for an option to precisely regulate the light, blinds will be a better variant. And if you seek elegance and nice look with the maximum effectivity, the Plisse will be an obvious choice.
The most important thing is to choose based primarily on what the room actually requires.
