Watching TV with the Sun Above Your Head? Why Roof Lantern Blinds Are a Must
At Skylight Blinds Direct, we make it simple to take control of natural light, privacy, and temperature with our made-to-measure roof lantern blinds — all designed for easy DIY fitting, with no need for a professional installer.
There’s no denying that a roof lantern adds serious wow factor. Whether it’s in a kitchen extension, garden room, or open-plan living area, it fills your space with beautiful natural light and creates a sense of openness and style. But when the sun is beating down overhead — especially during the warmer months — it can make watching TV a bit of a struggle.
Sound familiar? You’re not the only one. Glare, heat, and eye strain are common challenges for anyone with a roof lantern. The good news? You don’t have to close the curtains or shuffle your furniture around. A made-to-measure roof lantern blind is a simple and effective solution.
Why Is It So Hard to Watch TV with a Roof Lantern Overhead?
Here’s the thing: a roof lantern brings in sunlight from above, and while that’s lovely most of the time, it becomes a nuisance when:
- The sun reflects off your TV screen
- You’re squinting from the glare while trying to relax
- The room overheats during summer afternoons
- You lose control over your lighting environment
Roof lanterns are great… until you want to see what’s happening on Love Island without a giant reflection blocking half the screen.
The Smart Solution: Roof Lantern Blinds
Installing a roof lantern blind puts you back in control of the light, temperature, and glare in your space. These made-to-measure blinds are designed to fit snugly within your lantern opening, and thanks to clever materials and motorised options, they work brilliantly without ruining the look of your room.
One of our recent customers had this exact issue with a 2.9m x 1.7m lantern in their lounge. Watching TV in summer was almost impossible due to glare. After a bit of research, they ordered a guidewire-free honeycomb blind from us with smart home integration, allowing them to control it via Alexa or Google. They were absolutely chuffed with the result—you can read the full case study further down the page.
Blackout vs Anti-Glare Honeycomb Fabrics: What’s the Difference?
Both fabrics are great options, and both can help reduce heat, but they serve slightly different purposes. Here’s what you need to know:
Blackout Fabric
- Blocks out almost 100% of light
- Offers complete privacy
- Made with a dense, foil-lined material
- Superior thermal insulation
- Great for bedrooms, media rooms, or anywhere you want darkness
- Most effective at keeping heat out and warmth in
Anti-Glare Fabric
- Filters and diffuses light
- Reduces glare and eye strain
- Allows some natural light to enter
- Offers partial privacy
- Made with a lighter, more translucent material
- Still helps with heat reduction, though not quite as much as blackout
Which Fabric Is Better for TV Viewing?
For living areas like lounges or open-plan spaces, we usually recommend anti-glare fabrics. They strike the perfect balance between light control and comfort. You can still enjoy natural daylight without it bouncing off the TV screen—and without feeling like you're sitting in the dark.
If you’ve got a dedicated cinema room, snug, or bedroom, then blackout fabric is the winner. It blocks out nearly all light, keeps your space cooler in summer, and warmer in winter—plus it gives you complete privacy.
What About Heat Reduction?
While both fabrics offer some protection against heat, blackout fabric generally performs better due to its foil lining and heavier construction. That said, our anti-glare honeycomb fabrics still do a great job of keeping solar gain in check, especially when installed properly and fitted close to the frame.
If your priority is keeping the room cooler, particularly in south-facing roof lanterns, blackout might edge it. But if you want a softer approach with more daylight and just less glare, anti-glare is your go-to.
Bonus Tip: Add Smart Functionality
Like our case study customer, more and more people are choosing to add smart motorisation to their roof lantern blinds. That means you can raise or lower them with your voice, your phone, or a scheduled timer—no remote required (unless you want one!).
It’s an ideal setup if you want to stay cosy on the sofa or let the light flood in first thing in the morning without lifting a finger.
Need help choosing the right blind for your roof lantern? Take the quiz below
Ready to Get a Quote? 👇
If you want a stylish, thermal roof lantern blind that fits like a glove — without the stress — use the bean tin method and send us your measurements today.
- 📞 Call us: 0161 524 6402
- 📧 Email: team@skylight-blinds-direct.co.uk
- 📆 Get a Quote Now
Skylight Blinds Direct is the UK expert in self-fit roof lantern blinds and skylight blinds — with over 20 years of experience, we’re proud to serve homeowners, DIYers, and trade customers with beautifully made blinds that just work.
