Roof Lantern Blinds: What You Really Need to Know
When it comes to choosing blinds for your roof lantern, you’ve got two solid options: tensioned pleated blinds or Frame fitted Cellular Roof Blinds.
Which one is right for you?
That depends on the size of your roof, your goals (light vs. blackout, heat control, ease of use), and frankly your budget. So let’s break it down, real talk style.
Pleated Blinds: Great for Smaller Lanterns
If your roof lantern isn’t too big anything under 1800 mm wide by 2500 mm deep then pleated blinds are a solid choice.
Here’s what makes them work:
- A rail on each end, plus a moving rail with fabric in between
- Steel or Nylon support wires to hold everything up and avoid sagging
- Manually operated with a rod
- Wide fabric options: voile (lets in light), blackout (blocks everything), or reflective (controls temperature)
Real talk: Nylon wires will wear down over time sun and heat break them. We always recommend steel-coated wires because they don’t stretch, sag, or snap. If you want longevity, don’t mess with nylon.
Cellular Roof Blinds: Built for the Big Stuff
Got a big roof lantern? Like 2200 mm x 5000 mm big?
Pleated blinds won’t cut it. You’ll need Cellular blinds.
What makes them different?
- No support wires fabric runs inside two side channels
- Motorised with a remote control
If you want the slickest, cleanest look especially for large spans in our opinion this is your go-to.
Roof Lantern Blinds: Pleated vs. Roller—Which Is Best for Your Home?
Fabric Choices
Both pleated and roller blinds come in a variety of fabrics, but here’s the quick rundown:
Fabric Type |
Pleated |
Cellular |
Voile (lets in light) |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
Reflective (controls heat) |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
Blackout (zero light) |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
Most popular? Reflective fabric. Cuts glare, controls heat in summer, keeps warmth in during winter. Smart choice if you’re dealing with extreme temperatures under your roof lantern.
Motorisation & Controls
Want the easiest control? Go motorised.
No power supply required! Unless your roof lantern is really, really big then solar power is the answer. No wires and no electrician required.
images/blog/roof lantern video in home.mp4
For full motorisation info, check out our guide:
👉 Motorisation Options for Roof Lantern Blinds
🤝 One Last Thing—We’re Local
We’re a small team based in Leicestershire. That means:
✅ You get personal service
✅ We install with care
❌ Really sorry but we don’t supply outside Leicestershire
BUT we work with the same manufacturer as other UK suppliers, and we’d be happy to connect you with someone in your area.
Final Thought
If you’re still unsure which blind is right for your roof lantern, don’t overthink it. Let’s have a chat, or stop by if you’re nearby. We’re real people, not pushy sales reps—and we’ll help you make the best decision for your home.
