Skylight Blinds for Modern Living | Welling, South East London & Kent

Louvered roofs are designed as an all-weather solution and the roof louvers interlocking design provide a watertight roof covering when closed according to Belgian standard NBN 306. It is important to ensure a free flow of water from the closed roof louvers that the internal guttering is regularly cleaned.

The roof louvers features a ridge to the top side which helps, when the roof is opened after wet weather, prevent any residual water sitting on the top of roof louvers dripping onto the space beneath, instead running off the roof louvers into the internal guttering.

In extreme weather conditions such as a persistent torrential downpour, it is possible the internal guttering may not be able to drain the water quick enough and some water may splash over the guttering. Again ensuring the internal guttering is regularly cleaned will help to prevent this.

Condensation may form on the underside of the roof louvers with water droplets falling onto the terrace beneath. Due to the aluminium construction, this cannot be prevented and therefore is considered a natural characteristic.

Optional side screens, which feature exclusive TEXgard nanotech coated fabrics, are water repellent and therefore prevent water penetrating the sides, however, due to the perforated construction, some rain may run down the inside face of the fabric. Side screens should be allowed to dry out first before you retract them away, however, if the fabric is rolled away wet (ie the rain is persistent), the side screen should be opened up at the next opportunity to allow the fabric to properly dry out and to help minimise any rippling and waviness in the material. Continuous and consistent use of a side screen in rain showers will affect the look and appearance of the fabric.

It is perfectly safe to use a coal, wood or gas fired BBQ or fireplace beneath the louvered roof. In fact it is extremely common for outdoor kitchens to be installed beneath the structure. The only stipulation is that any flues from for example pizza ovens be positioned a minimum of 0.3m from the underside of the roof louvers and that if the structure is fitted with side screens any heat surfaces are kept a minimum of 0.5m from the screen fabrics.

Additionally with the roof louvers open at 10 degrees, this will allow for ventilation from heat build up and smoke beneath whilst still offering rain shower protection from downwards rain.

Our louvered roof side screen fabrics are produced from 100% spun dyed polyester fibres. This simply means that as the fibres are spun into yarn, they are dyed in a chemical bath to give them their colour. This solution dying (also referred to as dip dying) process colours the fibre all the way through to the core, locking it in the fibre to ensure the colour remains true and brilliant over the life cycle of the patio awning fabric.

Our materials are all tested on the blue-scale which measures their colour fastness. All of our premium louvered roof side screen materials are rated a maximum 7-8 / 8 on the blue-scale thanks to the solution dying process which means they will never fade over their lifetime and even beyond that, they will not fade visibly to the naked eye.

Think of the colours in our louvered roof side screen fabrics a bit like a carrot. A carrot is orange on the outside and when you cut it in half its orange all the way through, the same as the colour in our solution-dyed louvered roof side screen fabric fibre.

Our louvered roofs have been designed and constructed from high-quality materials with premium coatings and concealed elements, meaning the only maintenance required is a little TLC (cleaning) from time to time. Corrosion-resistant aluminium profiles and stainless steel components featured on our louvered roofs do not rust. Concealed motors built within the framework stay protected from the elements and the unique NANO tech coating featured on our louvered roof side screen materials prevents the impregnation of dirt and other environmental influences in the fabric.

To keep louvered roofs looking like new and to ensure they keep protecting you we would suggest that both the hardware (metalwork) along with side screen fabrics are hosed down (garden hose, spray setting) on a regular basis (at least twice per year) to remove any loose dirt and more stubborn stains removed using a sponge and mild soapy (circa 2% acidic) water solution. Birds mess and tree sap should be cleaned off immediately on siting to prevent them damaging the hardware/fabric.

When cleaning your louvered roof never use any abrasive cleaners, rough cloths (ie scourers) or stiff brushes as this will damage the protective coatings to both the fabric and hardware and always allow the fabric to dry off before retracting your external blind away.

It is also recommended to keep water evacuating effectively from the louvered roof structure that the internal guttering is cleared of any leaves, debris, small twigs etc. Furthermore, if the louvered roof has side screens, the guides, which the fabric and leadrail runs within should be sprayed with a non-corrosive silicone spray to lubricate

Our exclusive louvered roof side screen fabrics are impregnated with the most advanced TEXgard coating; an invisible protective shield around each individual fibre which creates a surface structure similar to the microstructure found on a lotus leaf. Closely arranged NANO chemistry carbon fluoride chains prevent dirt and water from clinging to the fabric surface generating a self-cleaning effect. Loose dirt will still accumulate on the surface but when it rains (and you’re guaranteed that in the UK) the dirt is washed off, leaving a clean, dry fabric.

Substances, such as birds mess and tree sap which ‘stick’ to the fabric should be hosed off immediately to avoid any damage to the protective coating and for dried-on sticky debris a sponge and mild soapy (circa 2% acidic) water solution should be used to clean it off, which then should be rinsed with clean water to ensure that no soapy remnants stay behind on the material and the material allowed to dry off before retracting the louvered roof side screen away.

All our louvered roofs are bespoke, made to measure to your exact requirements and therefore the cost varies significantly depending on the model, specification (size, hardware colour…), configuration (freestanding, lean-to…), and mounting detail, along with any options (lighting, heating, side screens…).

To obtain a budget cost for your specific requirements is really simple using our estimate form, where you simply need to upload a photo of your application which helps us understand the mounting detail and some approximate measurements and then one of our estimators will be able to provide you with an accurate cost indication

Accordion ConteOur louvered roofs are designed and built to withstand the elements, tested by the renowned independent quality standard body TÜV. The chart below shows the different elements of our louvered roofs and the wind speed rating, including a description of the acceptable wind levels. It should be noted that the wind class rating is based on the biggest size louvered roof in the range.

Along with gale-force wind speed ratings for the louvered roofs, they will also withstand a snow load (build-up) up to 100kg/m2 (Prestige model 70kg/m2), however, any snow build up over 35kg/m2 will result in deflection of the louvers and therefore the roof will no longer be watertight, however, when the snow has melted the louvers will return back to their normal undeflected state. It is important that if there is a build-up of snow on the roof, the roof is not operated until the snow has melted.

Louvered roof side screens can be equipped with wind sensors that detect the wind speed levels, automatically retracting them should strong winds exceed safe levels. Whilst these sensors are not a fail-safe device, they do offer additional protection and peace of mind.

Under no circumstances should anything be hung from a louvered roof and be sure when closing the roof or retracting the side screens that there are no foreign objects in the way that will prevent them from properly closing.

In the majority of cases, planning permission is not required for louvered roofs as they fall within permitted development rights. Permitted development does, however, put a few stipulations on sizing.

If the louvered roof is being installed abutting the rear of your property it will class as an extension to your property and therefore there is a maximum depth limit of 4m for detached properties or 3m for semi-detached or terraced properties. Additionally, if louvered roof is within 2m of the boundary there is a maximum height limit of 3m.

It is possible, subject to consultation through the neighbourhood consultation scheme for louvered roofs to extend 8m off the rear of a detached property and 6m for semi and terraced properties, however, the local authority will need informing of the proposed works via the prior approval application.

If the louvered roof is being installed freestanding in the garden it will class as an outbuilding and therefore has a maximum height limit of 2.5m if it is within 2m of the boundary.

For both freestanding and attached (lean-to) louvered roofs, they cannot take up more than 50% of the original land of the property including all other additions/buildings.

If you are in a conservation, green belt or area of outstanding natural beauty you will most likely need to obtain permission, however, other than stipulations/limitations over the louvered roof colour/finish, planning permission should be granted without problems.

It is always recommended to contact your local planning authority to check whether permission is required or alternatively you can visit the planning portal website: www.planningportal.gov.uk

A louvered roof weighs typically between 400-500kg per structure dependent on final size and specification. This load is spread evenly over the post uprights, creating a load per post of around 100-125kg and therefore it is possible to install a louvered roof on all ground types, with little or even no groundworks.

For an existing patio, subject to the patio being in good condition with the patio intact, solid and no cracks in the slabs/tiles, the louvered roof can sit directly on top of the patio, with the posts attached down to the patio slab/tile through concealed base plates using resin bonded anchors (threaded steel rods), which provide a stress-free anchorage which is usually stronger than the base material itself. Commonly used for the anchoring of structural steel such as columns, beams, safety barriers and railings, resin bonded anchors provide a premium anchoring solution with maximum load capabilities, with the fixings never coming loose as they have formed a stress-free bond.

This is the same fixing method we use for attaching lean-to louvered roofs (with no rear posts) to façades along with patio awnings to facades that create much higher loads (stresses and strains) due to their cantilever effect.

Where the ground surface is not solid including timber decking and grass a small concrete pad is required beneath each post, which depending on the ground surface will typically be 400-500mm square x min 150mm high (thick), with the post uprights attached to these concrete pads using the same resin bonded anchor method details above.

Our louvered roof pergolas are built to last a lifetime and we are pleased to offer therefore an industry-leading fully comprehensive 5-year guarantee* covering parts, labour and our workmanship. The guarantee covers the complete louvered roof system including framework (hardware), mechanism (rotating/sliding roof) and electronics (motors, transmitters and sensors) along with optional side screens (fabric). All accessories including LED lighting and infra-red heaters along with Clearview windows (PVC panels) inserted in the side screens come with a 12-month guarantee. In the highly unlikely event of anything going wrong within the guarantee period, you are fully covered, there are no call out charges or hidden costs to pay.

Our louvered roofs should be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis as per the provided operation and maintenance instructions to ensure a smooth, effortless, reliable functioning day in day out and guarantee years of hassle-free use and pleasure. As with all guarantees fair terms apply, for example, we don’t cover misuse of the product, such as use of the side screens in adverse weather conditions or where items have been hung from the framework and it does not cover fair wear and tear or the batteries in the handset.

Once the guarantee period has expired should there be any issues, we still service and maintain your louvered roof for a small call out fee.

*Guarantee details apply for supply and install orders direct with Caribbean Blinds only. Different guarantee terms apply for supply only product to trade installers. Full details available on request.

Louvered roofs are designed to enable year-round use of outdoor spaces, providing bioclimatic shading; adapting to the changing weather conditions to provide a comfortable space. Ultimately, they provide a solution that sits between a patio awning which provides you alfresco living offering sun and rain shelter but cannot be used in adverse weather conditions and a glass room such as a conservatory or garden room that whilst can be used in all weather they enclose you inside a room, taking the alfresco out of outdoor living and in the case of a conservatory are too hot in the Summer and too cold in the Winter.

The opening and closing roof and sides of a louvered roof, which can be adjusted to the desired position to provide the right level of light, shade, ventilation or shelter from rain or wind, allowing outdoor spaces to be used all season long in perfect comfort, irrespective of the weather conditions.

Thanks to the flexibility and adaptability of louvered roofs they are used for a variety of applications and situations in residential, hospitality, education and leisure situations.

Our electric louvered roofs, structure (roof), optional side screens, LED lighting and up to 1 infrared heater can be powered from a standard domestic 13amp fuse spur, to which the structure power cable (3 core; live, neutral, earth) would be hard-wired into or to a 13amp switched socket, which the power cable would have a standard 3 pin plug fitted and plugged in. All electrical elements of the louvered roof (roof motor, side screen motors, LED lighting, infra-red heaters) are connected to their respective receivers and each other inside the structure so there are no external control boxes and just a single power cable exiting the nominated post upright of the structure.

If there are more than 1no. infra-red heaters on the louvered roof structure then there would be an additional 13amp switched fused spur or socket required per heater and subsequently an additional power cable(s).

An antenna fitted to the post upright provides a typical operating range of 200m in open space or 20m through two reinforced concrete walls but this can be reduced due to local electronic devices such as phone masts.

When the roof louvers are closed, they have a small fall (slope) from front to back of approx 6cm; water runs off the roof louvers into an internal guttering built on the inside of the cross beams of the structure on all sides (front & back only on Classic model). The internal guttering is connected to 50mm downpipes contained into the nominated post uprights with 1 drainage post required per 15 sq/m of roof surface area. It is always recommended to use both front post uprights for drainage, as this provides the quickest water evacuation as the roof louvers slope towards the front of the structure.

If the louvered roof is installed on top of an existing surface such as a patio, water discreetly drains out the bottom front of the side of the post upright onto the surface. When installed abutting a property (lean-to structure) it is also possible to connect the drainage pipe from the structure into the rainwater pipe on the property (subject to location).

When the louvered roof is installed as part of a new garden scheme, where there are groundworks taking place, it is possible to connect the drainage pipe from the post uprights to a soak-away feed, or alternatively if the structure is being installed with a decking, drainage can be beneath the decking onto a gravel soak away or similar.

Our louvered roof side screen fabrics are high-performance materials designed to provide both a functional and decorative role, however, despite meeting the highest European standards and laboratory tests, they can only be manufactured to a limited degree of perfection even with today’s state of the art machinery.

Waviness and rippling occurs both around the seams (where the panels of fabric are joined horizontally every 2.5m) and along the side hems (where the fabric is locked into side guides) due to the arrangement of the made-up screen fabric, with double layers/thicknesses of material where the fabric is joined (seams) and where it is held in the side guides. This results in the fabric assuming two different diameters around the rollertube.

The tension the fabric is under causes the areas where there are double thicknesses of material (seams, sides) to press down harder on each other resulting in waviness and rippling immediately adjacent to the seams/sides. This effect also occurs in the centre of the panel when louvered roof side screens are used in windy conditions.