Sheet 08 · Shading and Heat

West glare toward Hove and the sea

West-facing glass catches long summer afternoons and reflects off pale pavements near the seafront. External louvres, retractable awnings, or dense planting screens handle heat before it enters; internal blinds then fine-tune privacy and evening light.

We note which panes need almost daily adjustment and which can rely on fixed overhangs or deciduous vines.

Winter warmth without sealed boxes

Fully sealing a conservatory can trap condensation on cold nights. We coordinate thermal blinds, rugs over heated zones, and seating away from the coldest panes so occupants stay comfortable without fighting moisture.

Where clients already have underfloor heating, furniture layouts leave clear floor strips so heat rises evenly.

Roof lights and layered control

Roof glazing needs a separate layer from vertical blinds. Honeycomb or pleated roof blinds, combined with openable vents where the builder provides them, keep the upper air from baking while sides stay open to the garden view.

We avoid dark interior films that turn daytime rooms gloomy in Brighton’s frequent grey spells.

Materials that stay cool to the touch

Metal frames and dark stone tops can become uncomfortable in direct sun. Timber sills, lighter stone, and fabric-covered seat pads improve day-to-day use even when shading is partially open.

Hardware finishes are chosen to resist salt as well as heat cycling.

How shading sits in the fee structure

Shading-and-heat notes are included in full garden-room packages. A focused comfort consult — site walk, priority list for blinds and planting screens, and product shortlist — falls in the £120 to £210 range.

Supply and install of blinds remain with the client’s chosen contractor; we provide the sheet they work from.