Bolingbroke Grove, London

Like many London townhouses, this property had been extended to create a bright, modern living space with a large glass roof. While the glazing brought plenty of natural light into the home, it also created a major overheating problem. During sunny weather, the extension became uncomfortably hot, making the space difficult to use. The homeowners approached Peregrine Architects looking for a practical solution.

External shading was the obvious answer, but the project was far from straightforward. Part of the roof included an opening rooflight, which could be fitted with an external rooflight blind. However, the rest of the roof was made up of frameless glass panels with no suitable fixing points for a blind system. Because the rooflight also met directly with the wall of the original house, a standard external shading installation was not possible.

Working with Peregrine Architects, Kensington Blinds developed a bespoke solution. A wall-mounted awning was fixed to the original house and designed to extend out over the frameless glass roof, providing effective shade where a conventional blind could not be installed. The awning was programmed to work alongside the external rooflight blind, giving the homeowners simple, coordinated control of both systems.

The result has been a dramatic reduction in heat build-up, transforming the comfort of the extension and making it a much more enjoyable space throughout the year. This project shows that even the most challenging shading problems can be solved with the right design and expertise. If you're struggling with overheating, Kensington Blinds can help develop a solution tailored to your property.

‘Couldn't recommend Kensington Blinds more: had a client who needed to cure an overheating extension and they were extremely helpful in advising design ideas and in the overall installation of an final agreed solution on site’ – Mike Peregrine, Peregrine Architects