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Thermal Control Fabric |
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As independent conservatory
blind manufacturers we promote
individual fabrics solely based
upon their suitability for our
customers requirements.
The majority of roof blind installations
are purchased by our customers
to solve the problem of excessive
heat. In these circumstances we
recommend our Thermal Control
range of fabrics. |
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What is Thermal Control Fabric?
Thermal Control is a laminated fabric consisting
of three main layers:
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The first layer is a hard-wearing
polyester face fabric...
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A layer of aluminium foil is bonded
onto the polyester...
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Finally, a polyester film is added
to protect the aluminium.
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Keeping cool in summer
Thermal Control is the most thermally
and solar efficient blind fabric available
on the market. Other less efficient
fabrics allow heat to be directly transmitted,
causing heat to build up quickly.
This build up can soon become unmanageable.
With Thermal Control, the mirror finished
aluminium laminate directly reflects
radiated heat. Of the heat passing through
your conservatory roof panes, 68% is
directly reflected. The remaining 32%
is absorbed by the blind, then passed
to the conservatory structure which
acts as a heat sink. This is then released
as temperatures drop through the evening.
A small residue of heat will enter the
conservatory indirectly, as the fabric
becomes warm.
For the best heat control, the blinds
should be closed before the conservatory
warms up. As no blind can be 100% thermally
efficient, a little ventilation will
prevent a big rise in air temperature
and ensure perfect results. |
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Keeping warm in winter
As an energy conscious homeowner, you
will be aware of the need for the best
possible degree of insulation within
your home. Building regulations for
newly built homes dictate that materials
such as heat reflective aluminium foil
are used to line ceilings and wallboards,
as well as the walls behind radiators.
This is the same technology found in
our Thermal Control fabric. |
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Light reflecting
Although the face side of the fabric
is available in a large variety of colours
it has been our experience that a considerable
amount of light is reflected around
inside the conservatory ensuring that
plenty of ambient light is still available. |
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Light reflecting continued...
Additionally we have observed that at
night the fabric hugely amplifies the
light from the conservatory’s
internal lighting, which without blinds
just radiates out through the glass
and off into the blackness of the night
sky.
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Resistant to dirt and insects
Once blinds are used on a horizontal
plane as with a conservatory roof they
immediately behave like any other horizontal
surface in the house for instance one
top of a wardrobe or cupboard, etc.
As such there is an inevitable accumulation
of dust and with conservatories - insects
also.
During the hot summer months insects
can collect on an almost hourly basis,
fortunately this is of no consequence
as Thermal Control blinds benefit from
an important non-stick backing which
guarantees that the fabric will not
be damaged. |
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Cleaning
Pleated blinds are the best blinds where
dirt and insects may be an issue. Roller
blinds are less suitable because when
they retract, the face or decorative
side of the fabric, rolls onto the dirty
or reverse side of the fabric causing
irreversible damage in some instances
- this cannot happen with pleated blinds.
Pleated blinds do not need to be taken
down for cleaning. To clean the blinds
put a dust sheet onto the floor of the
conservatory and use a hairdryer to
blow the dust and insects off the non-stick
reverse side of the fabric. Generally
we find that our customers perform this
task on an annual basis. An added benefit
to having an opaque fabric is that insects
are not visible through the fabric. |
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| © Copyright Oakhurst Conservatory
Blinds 2008 |
