Unique blinds?

So what’s unique about our thermal blinds? Well, for starters, they are truly insulating, unlike most other ‘thermal’ blinds which rely on either a single layer of foil material or open-ended folds of paper-like material containing tiny pockets of air. Our blinds have 3 insulating components – two layers of Mylar – a reflective, resistive metal-coated ployester. These both keep heat in and stop solar overheating. Then a 7mm thick Thinsulate layer, made of thousands of tiny [15 micrometres (µm) in diameter], fibres, trapping air (& used in Jag soft-top roofs, apparently). Together these materials bring the insulation level to the equivalent of triple glazing. No other blinds on the market achieve this level of insulation.

Secondly, unlike most roman blinds which hang in front of your wall or window, they fit tight against the frame and overlap at the top & sides, bringing the overlapping edges in contact with your window frame. This reduces gaps around the edges to a minimum. And thirdly they have tiny hidden magnets sewn inside, matched by self-adhesive magnets (just 1mm thick) which you put on your frame. This gives a very snug fit and stop that down-draught from cold glass which can drop into your room. Continue reading

It’s getting cold!

We’ve lined the inside of the door panels to our workshop with offcuts from the thermal blinds, ssems to have done the trick! Now its getting chilly we are working hard to finish your orders promptly and enjoying working with our new fabrics.

We’ve had some great publicity via the Homes & Design section of The Independent early in December (pics here but theres no online version) and a similar piece in Homes & Property. If you’d like a quote just send us a photo of your windows and the sizes & we’ll do the rest. See our ‘ordering‘ page for measuring details.

Article on keeping warm in The Independent

Article on keeping warm in The Independent

Photo of a thermal blind from The Independent article

Photo of a thermal blind from The Independent article

Be sure of a warm welcome sm

Blind articles

We’ve had some really lovely pieces written in the last couple of years, the latest being on the blog ‘All Things Bright & Good‘, a lovely blog by Judy who I met at a Frome ‘Jelly’ (an event where home workers work together for a day). She has written a book about homeworking & also runs the blog ‘Working from Home Wisdom‘ which is full of great tips on homeworking and there did an article about me in unusual home working jobs.

Judy gave me her loft-stored sewing machine when I first set up, it was her 18th birthday present so very special! It was my workhorse for two years til I bought my amazing Pfaff.

The She-Shed and Pfaff

We also got a mention by Julia Kendell in the Sunday Times, by Roger Hunt on ‘old windows need not be cold‘, a very fascinating blog, and I believe we are mentioned in his book too ‘Old House Eco Handbook‘ (must get a copy!)

Julia  said;

“Heavy lined curtains are a tried and tested way to keep in heat, but there are more effective options. “A clever solution is thermal blinds,” She recommends a new product by the designer Katy Duke. Her thermal blinds lock onto the frame with magnets and are made with materials used in skiwear.

Roger said;

“As an alternative to replacing windows there are a variety of low impact and cost effective alternatives:

Rattling windows may be wedged or, with sash windows, a fastener with a cam action which draws the two sashes together can be fitted.

Shutters and heavy curtains reduce draughts and keep heat in, especially if they’re closed before it gets dark so the warmth of the day is retained. One further step is to install thermal blinds which incorporate a variety of insulating and reflective layers designed to minimise conduction through the fabric.

We also got a lovely write up in Blinds & Shutters magazine when Katy won the PEA Award.

The next article expected is in The List, a very popular local magazine. Check out the December issue!

Sunday Times article by Julia Kendell

Article in Blinds & Shutters magazine

Article in Blinds & Shutters magazine