Manual or Solar Roof Window Blinds? Reach, Routine and Practicalities

Most roof window blinds sold are manual, and for good reason: they are simple and quick to make. Solar motorised blinds cost more and take longer, but for some windows they are the difference between a blind you use every day and one you never touch. Here is how to decide.

How manual blinds work

A manual blind has a handle on its bottom bar. You pull it down to the position you want and it stays there; push it up to open. If the window is within easy reach, that is all there is to it.

For windows that are higher up, a telescopic pole hooks onto the handle so you can operate the blind from the floor. Poles are available on our accessories page. One pole can serve several windows in the same room.

How solar motorised blinds work

A solar blind has a small motor and a solar panel built in. The panel charges from daylight, so there is no wiring and no electrician needed. You operate the blind with a remote control.

A compatible remote is needed to operate solar motorised blinds, and one remote can operate up to 10 blinds. When you choose Solar on a product page you will see a remote control option: choose Remote required if you need one, or No remote required if you already have a compatible remote.

Think about reach first

• Window you can touch from the floor: manual is almost always the sensible choice.
• Window slightly out of reach: manual with a telescopic pole works well, especially if you only open and close it once or twice a day.
• Window high above stairs, a bath or a bed you would have to lean over: solar is worth serious thought. Reaching over furniture or balancing on a step is exactly the kind of daily task that is easier with a remote.

Then think about routine

How often will you move the blind? A bedroom blind used morning and night is a daily job. A landing blind you set and forget for the season is not. The more often you will use it, and the harder it is to reach, the stronger the case for solar.

Solar can also help where several windows are in one room. With one remote operating up to 10 blinds, you can manage a whole attic room without going window to window.

What solar changes about the order

• Frame colour: solar blinds come with the brushed aluminium (silver) frame. White painted aluminium is available with manual control only. See silver vs white frames.
• Fabric: most fabrics are available as solar, but not every one. The product page only offers Solar where it is available for that fabric and window.
• Price: solar adds a fixed amount to the blind price. The exact total is shown on the product page as you change options.
• Delivery: solar motorised blinds take longer to make than manual ones. The product page shows an estimated delivery date for your exact choice.

Practical points

Because the panel charges from daylight, solar blinds are best suited to windows that see reasonable daylight, which most roof windows do by their nature. We do not make claims about specific charge times or battery life; these depend on the season, the window and how often the blind is used.

Fitting a solar blind is similar to fitting a manual one. Our installation page has separate videos for each so you can see the difference before you choose.

A simple rule of thumb

If you can comfortably reach the handle, choose manual. If you would need a pole and you will use the blind every day, or reaching it means leaning over something, consider solar. If you are unsure about a particular window, our team is happy to talk it through by phone or through our contact page.