How it works
Wire-free power, real heat control
From the self-charging motor to the reflective fabrics and the made-to-measure process, here's exactly how a Solar Blinds Online blind goes from your window measurements to a finished blind on the wall.
Two kinds of 'solar' — and we do both
The word 'solar' does two different jobs at Solar Blinds Online, and it helps to separate them. A solar-powered blind uses a small photovoltaic cell to run its own motor, so it opens and closes without any mains wiring. A solar-shading blind uses a heat-reflective fabric to keep the sun's warmth and glare out of a room.
Some blinds do both at once — a motorised skylight blind in a reflective fabric, for example. When you enquire, we help you decide which matters most for your window: the wire-free automation, the heat control, or the combination.
How the self-charging works
On a solar-powered blind, a slim solar panel sits on the headrail facing the glass. Through the day it collects daylight and trickle-charges a rechargeable battery hidden inside the blind. Daylight is enough — the panel does not need direct sunshine.
When you press the remote, that battery drives a quiet motor to move the blind. Because it gathers far more energy than a few daily movements use, the battery stays topped up on its own in most rooms. Nothing connects to your mains, so there is no wiring, no electrician and no effect on your energy bill.
How made-to-measure ordering works
- 1 Measure your window — for a skylight, read the size code off the frame; for other windows, measure the width and drop. Our guides walk you through it, or our fitter can measure for you.
- 2 Tell us what you need — send your sizes, the room, the fabric feel you want (light-filtering, blackout or solar-reflective) and whether you'd like solar, motorised or manual operation.
- 3 We quote and confirm — we reply by email with the right blind, the options and a price, and confirm the make-up timescale before anything is cut.
- 4 We make it to measure — your blind is cut and assembled to your exact window, then delivered to your door UK-wide, or booked in for fitting.
The fitting service
Most of our blinds are straightforward to put up yourself — brackets, a few screws, and slim side channels that guide the fabric. For anyone who would rather not, or for high skylights and conservatory roofs, we offer a measuring and fitting service.
If you'd like fitting, add your postcode to your enquiry so we can check coverage in your area. Either way — supply-only or fitted — you end up with a blind that fits the window exactly.
No wiring to fit, no charging to remember, and a blind cut to your exact window — that's the whole idea.
How it works — FAQs
How do I measure my windows?
For a roof window, read the size code printed on the frame — that's all we need. For other windows, measure the width and the drop and tell us whether the blind sits inside or outside the recess. If you'd prefer, our fitting service can measure for you.
How long does a made-to-measure blind take?
Every blind is cut to order, so there's a short make-up period. We confirm the exact timescale in your quote before anything is made, so you always know where you stand.
Do you fit the blinds, or just supply them?
Both. You can order supply-only and fit the blind yourself, or add our measuring and fitting service — useful for skylights and conservatory roofs that are awkward to reach.
Tell us about your window
Send your sizes and the room, and whether you'd like supply-only or fitting. We'll reply by email with the right blind and a quote.