Last Updated: October 2025 | Reading Time: 12 minutes
Commercial blinds do more than just cover windows. Pick the right ones and you’ll cut your energy bills, make your workplace more comfortable, stay within UK regulations, and keep things looking professional.
This guide covers everything about commercial blinds in the UK. You’ll learn about different types, how they save energy, privacy and light control, and practical tips for choosing the right ones.
| Key Takeaways Four main blind types: Roller, venetian, vertical, and blackout- each good for different things Energy savings: Good quality solar blinds can cut cooling costs by £2,000-3,000 a year Legal requirements: BS 5867 fire safety and BS EN 13120 child safety are must-haves How long they last: Commercial blinds last 10-15 years vs 3-5 years for home-quality ones Window direction matters: North, south, east and west windows all need different solutions |
Types of Commercial Blinds
Commercial blinds come in five main types, and each one’s designed for different jobs.
1. Roller Blinds
These are probably the most popular choice for commercial buildings because they’re so versatile. It’s basically a single piece of fabric that rolls up into a neat box at the top, a simple but effective option.
How they work: You operate them with a chain, crank handle, or motor. The fabric is what actually does all the work, blocking sun, providing privacy, or whatever you need.
Where they work best:
- Offices that need to control glare and keep things private
- Healthcare buildings where you need to keep things clean
- Shops that want to block sun but still let customers see in
- Basically anywhere you want something reliable and straightforward
Why people like them: They don’t need much looking after, you can choose from loads of fabrics, they work on big windows, you can add motors easily, and they last for ages.
2. Venetian Blinds
These are the ones with horizontal slats that you can tilt to control exactly where the light goes. Great when you need precise control.
How they work: The slats rotate to control light. Close them completely for privacy or open them fully for maximum light. Angle them to get the light exactly where you want it.
Where they work best:
- Offices full of computer screens where glare is a problem
- Places where privacy needs change during the day
- Buildings where people still want to see outside
- Professional spaces where people like to control their environment
What they’re made of:
Aluminium blinds are brilliant for commercial use. They don’t bend out of shape, they’re easy to clean, you can replace individual slats if needed, and they’ll last 12-15 years even in busy offices.
Wooden ones cost more but they make the space feel warmer, good for executive offices or places that want a less corporate feel.
Why people like them: You can control light direction really precisely, they last ages, they’re easy to maintain, you can fix them bit by bit, and they look professional.
3. Vertical Blinds
These have fabric strips that hang vertically, which is perfect for really tall windows and sliding doors.
How they work: The vertical strips rotate to control light, then bunch up to one side when you want to clear the whole window. If one strip gets damaged, you can just replace that one.
Where they work best:
- Conference rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows
- Hotels and restaurants with patio doors
- Open-plan offices with lots of glass
- Anywhere with really tall windows or sliding doors
The good news: Modern versions look much better than the old-fashioned ones. You can get all sorts of textures and patterns now that actually look good while doing their job.
Why people like them: Great for tall windows, you can replace individual strips, they’re simple to use, and they control light direction well.
4. Blackout Blinds
These completely block all light when you need total darkness during the day.
How they work: Special fabric that doesn’t let any light through at all. Add side channels and you can seal out every bit of light around the edges too.
Where they work best:
- Meeting rooms with projectors or screens
- Hotel bedrooms
- Hospital rooms where patients need to sleep during the day
- Cinemas and entertainment spaces
- Anywhere that needs to go completely dark on demand
Extra benefits: The fabric also helps with sound (it absorbs noise) and gives you better privacy than standard blinds.
Why people like them: Total darkness when needed, quieter rooms, better privacy, and you can get them in different styles.
Also read: What are the Disadvantages of Blackout Blinds?
Quick Reference: Which Blind for Which Problem
| Your Problem | Best Solution | Why It Works |
| Too hot on south/west windows | External solar blinds or really good solar fabric | Stops heat before it gets in |
| Screen glare in open offices | Venetian blinds or roller fabric (3-5% openness) | Controls where light goes, not just how much |
| Meeting rooms need flexibility | Venetian or vertical blinds | Quick switch between private and open |
| Ground floor needs privacy | Semi-transparent roller blinds | Private but not dark during work hours |
| Presentation spaces | Blackout roller with side channels | No light at all |
| Really tall windows | Motor systems | Can’t reach them safely by hand |
Which Way Your Windows Face Matters
Different directions need different solutions:
East windows: You get intense, low morning sun right when people arrive at work. Blackout or really good solar control fabrics work well here.
West windows: Fine until afternoon, then the low evening sun gets progressively worse. Often worth spending more on external shading or top-quality solar fabrics.
South windows: Sun all day long, and the heat really builds up. You definitely need solar reflective fabrics or external systems here.
North windows: Don’t usually get too hot but the bright sky can cause glare. Semi-transparent fabrics for privacy are usually enough.
Keeping Privacy Without Making Rooms Dark
This is a constant challenge for ground-floor offices, meeting rooms, and healthcare consulting rooms. You want to stop people seeing in but keep all the benefits (and energy savings) of natural light.
Semi-transparent fabrics are perfect for this. Fabrics with 3-5% openness mean people outside can only see vague shapes, not details. Inside, you keep the brightness and avoid that closed-in feeling you get with blackout blinds during the day.
When privacy needs change during the day, vertical or venetian blinds are ideal. Meeting rooms can go from open to private instantly. Consulting rooms can adjust based on what patients need. You get flexibility without losing light.
Dealing with Screen Glare
Every modern office is full of computer screens. Glare makes them hard to read, hurts people’s eyes, and makes everyone less productive. But you still need natural light for wellbeing and to cut electricity costs.
Venetian blinds are brilliant for this. Tilt the slats up at about 45 degrees and the light bounces off the ceiling instead of hitting screens directly. This is the perfect setup for offices where people stare at computers all day.
With roller blinds, go for fabrics with 3-5% openness. You get soft, filtered light, can still see outside, but no harsh glare on screens.
Setting the Right Mood
Different businesses need different atmospheres, and blinds play a big part in this:
- Corporate offices usually go for clean, simple roller blinds or aluminium venetians in neutral colors. They look professional and don’t distract from work.
- Hotels and restaurants need warmth. Wooden venetians, textured fabrics, or custom colors create a welcoming feel while still doing their job.
- Healthcare buildings need to feel clean and calm. White or pale colored roller blinds with wipeable fabrics meet hygiene standards while creating a peaceful environment.
- Shops need to think about their brand. Custom-printed roller blinds can show off your branding while controlling the sun and letting customers see in.
Quick Reference Table
| Building Type | Main Requirements | Best Blind Types | Must Follow |
| Healthcare | Clean, blackout for patients, privacy, anti-ligature in mental health | Wipeable rollers, blackout in patient rooms, special systems where needed | BS 5867 fire, BS EN 13120 child safety in kids areas, hygiene standards |
| Hotels | Bedroom blackout, looks good, low maintenance, tough | Blackout rollers in bedrooms, nice looking in public areas, motors for big windows | BS 5867 everywhere, BS EN 13120 in public spaces |
| Offices | No glare, energy efficient, professional look, flexible privacy | Venetian or roller with solar fabrics, semi-transparent for privacy | Part L energy rules, BS EN 13120 in reception |
| Shops | People can see in, controls sun, matches brand, window displays work | Roller or vertical, custom branding possible, sun control without darkness | BS 5867 if public access, BS EN 13120 where families go |
| Schools | Super tough, child safe everywhere, control for learning | Heavy-duty roller or vertical, no cords at all, blackout for projector rooms | BS 5867 fire, BS EN 13120 everywhere |
| Restaurants | Control atmosphere, manage outdoor areas, warm feeling | External awnings outside, nice looking inside, flexible light | BS 5867 fire, BS EN 13120 everywhere |
| Care Homes | Easy for residents to use, safe, bedroom blackout, dementia-friendly | Simple to operate, plain fabrics (for dementia), easy clean | BS 5867 fire, BS EN 13120, anti-ligature in some areas |
Motors or Manual?
Get Motors For:
- Windows over 3m high (you can’t reach them safely)
- Big, heavy blinds (people won’t bother using them otherwise)
- When you want to connect to building management systems
- Where people with disabilities need to use them
- Hot-desking areas where no one “owns” the blinds
Manual Is Fine For:
- Windows you can easily reach
- Where the same people use them every day
- Tighter budgets
- Where people like having direct control
- When you want simple, reliable operation
About motors: They usually last 5-8 years with commercial use. Remember you’ll need to replace them eventually, and make sure you can get to them for servicing.
Also read: Which Commercial Awning is Right for Your Business?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Fabric fades after two years
Problem: Cheap fabrics can’t handle strong sun
Solution: Ask about fade warranties for solar exposure
Mechanisms keep breaking
Problem: Home-quality parts can’t take commercial use
Solution: Get heavy-duty mechanisms rated for thousands of uses
Blinds don’t fit right
Problem: Measurements missed window reveals, obstructions, or how windows open Solution: Get a professional survey
Control systems fail
Problem: Over-complicated motors without proper planning
Solution: Keep it simple unless complexity really helps
Staff never use them
Problem: Too awkward, too slow, or people don’t understand them
Solution: Operation must be obvious
Still got glare problems
Problem: Wrong blind type or fabric for your specific problem
Solution: Venetians and rollers solve different issues
Looking for commercial blinds? Get in touch with Artistic Blinds
We’ve been making and supplying made-to-measure blinds for businesses across the UK since 1979, all from our Bristol factory. Whether you need help choosing fabrics, fitting around busy hours, or meeting safety standards, our team’s here to make it easy.
Get in touch with our team today for a free, no-obligation quote!
