A Velux skylight blind is much more than just a cover; it’s a crucial tool for controlling light, beefing up your insulation, and maintaining privacy in your home. For Australian conditions, these blinds transform a simple glass panel into a dynamic feature, helping you manage intense sunlight and heat to create a more comfortable and energy-efficient living space all year round.
Why Velux Blinds Are Essential For Your Skylight
When you first look up at a new skylight, you’re picturing all that beautiful, natural light flooding your home. But here in Australia, that glorious sunshine often brings along a few unwanted guests: intense heat gain in summer and a serious amount of glare that can make a room almost unusable. This is where Velux skylights blinds stop being an accessory and become an absolute necessity.
These aren’t your average window coverings. They are precision-engineered systems designed to work perfectly with your roof window, built to operate flawlessly on an angle without sagging or jamming. They fit directly into the skylight frame, creating a seamless look that also acts as a highly effective barrier against the elements.
More Than Just A Shade
If you think of a skylight blind as just a piece of fabric, you’re missing the bigger picture. It’s a multi-functional piece of kit that fundamentally improves your home’s entire environment. The right blind gives you a level of control that standard windows rarely need, tackling the unique challenges that come with overhead light.
Here are a few of the key benefits:
Total Light Management: From gently softening the harsh midday sun to plunging a bedroom or media room into complete darkness, you get full command over the room’s atmosphere.
Superior Thermal Insulation: A quality blind acts as an extra layer of insulation. It helps keep your home cooler in summer by blocking solar heat and warmer in winter by stopping precious heat from escaping.
Glare Reduction: Protect your eyes—and your furniture—from the harsh effects of direct sunlight. This makes living areas, kitchens, and home offices far more comfortable and usable throughout the entire day.
Enhanced Privacy: For skylights in more private spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms, blinds offer instant and complete privacy whenever you need it.
By managing the light and heat that enters through your roof, Velux blinds can have a significant impact on your home’s energy consumption, potentially lowering your heating and cooling bills.
Before you get too deep into the world of blinds, it’s worth understanding the basics and the important factors to consider before installing a skylight. The initial decisions you make about the skylight itself can influence your choice of blind later on.
Ultimately, picking the right blind is about getting the most out of your investment. For a closer look at the different types available, you can explore a range of modern skylight blinds and shades. This guide will walk you through every step, from selecting the perfect style to understanding the installation, ensuring you make a decision that enhances your home for years to come.
Matching the Right Velux Blind to Your Room
Choosing the perfect blind for your skylight is about more than just picking a colour that looks good. The real magic happens when you match the blind’s job with what the room actually needs.
Think of it like this: you wouldn’t use a sledgehammer to hang a picture frame. In the same way, the blind that works wonders in a bedroom is probably the completely wrong choice for a kitchen. It’s all about function.
The whole process gets a lot simpler when you ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve. Are you fighting off that intense afternoon glare in your home office? Do you need absolute darkness to get a good night’s sleep? Or maybe you’re trying to get a handle on the steam in a bathroom? Each of these questions points you straight to a specific type of Velux skylight blind.
Blackout Blinds for Ultimate Darkness
For bedrooms, home cinemas, or anywhere that total darkness is a must-have, the Blackout blind is your go-to. These blinds are designed with a light-proof seal, so even on the brightest Aussie day, you can make the room feel like midnight in an instant. This makes them a lifesaver for shift workers, nurseries, or anyone who just really values their sleep.
Their secret is a snug-fitting design that blocks pretty much all incoming light, getting rid of that annoying light leakage or “halo effect” you often see with standard blinds. If you’re looking for ways to create the ultimate sleep sanctuary, checking out some different bedroom skylight ideas can show you how these blinds fit into a really restful design.
Light-Filtering Blinds to Soften the Sun
In living rooms, studies, and hallways, you don’t usually want to block the light completely—you just want to tame it. Harsh glare can make a space feel pretty uncomfortable, not to mention it can fade your furniture and floors over time. This is where Light-Filtering blinds really shine. They work like a diffuser, softening that direct sunlight into a gentle, ambient glow.
This way, you get all the benefits of natural light—a brighter, more welcoming room—without the downsides of squinting and sharp shadows. You keep all that lovely brightness while creating a much more comfortable vibe for reading, working, or just kicking back.
A key takeaway is that functionality dictates the best choice. A blind isn’t just a decorative element; it’s an active part of your home’s light and thermal management system.
Venetian Blinds for Humid Environments
Kitchens and bathrooms throw a unique curveball: humidity. Regular fabric blinds can soak up moisture, which can lead to mildew and damage down the track. Venetian blinds are the perfect fix for these wet areas. Made from water-resistant aluminium slats, they’re incredibly tough and super easy to wipe clean.
But it’s not just about moisture resistance. Venetian blinds give you a fantastic level of light control. You can tilt the slats to direct the light exactly where you want it, bouncing it off the ceiling or away from your eyes, all while keeping your privacy.
Honeycomb Blinds for Superior Insulation
If you’re all about energy efficiency, the Honeycomb blind (sometimes called a cellular blind) is an absolute standout. Its clever structure is made up of honeycomb-shaped pockets that trap air, creating a surprisingly powerful insulating barrier against the glass.
This unique design delivers some serious thermal performance:
In Summer: It helps stop solar heat from pouring through the skylight, keeping the room noticeably cooler and giving your air-con a much-needed break.
In Winter: It works the other way, preventing precious heat from escaping out through the glass. This helps keep your home warmer and can trim down your heating bills.
A little planning goes a long way. Use this quick guide to compare the main types of Velux blinds and see which one is the best fit for your space.
Quick Guide to Choosing Your Velux Skylight Blind
| Blind Type | Main Benefit | Ideal Room | Light Control | Insulation Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackout | Complete darkness | Bedrooms, home cinemas | Maximum | Good |
| Light-Filtering | Softens glare | Living rooms, studies | Diffused | Moderate |
| Venetian | Moisture resistance | Kitchens, bathrooms | Adjustable | Low |
| Honeycomb | Energy efficiency | All rooms, especially sunny ones | Varies | Excellent |
By picking the right Velux blind for each room, you’re doing more than just decorating. You’re adding a new layer of comfort, efficiency, and control that really helps you get the most out of your skylights.
Choosing Your Perfect Control System
How you open and close your Velux skylights blinds is just as important as the fabric you choose. The right control system takes your blinds from being a simple window covering and turns them into a responsive part of your home’s comfort system. It’s the difference between a static feature and a dynamic solution that works for you all day, every day.
Ultimately, the best control system for you boils down to three things: how easy the skylight is to reach, what level of convenience you’re after, and your budget. From a simple manual touch to fully automated smart home magic, let’s break down the options.
Manual Control for Skylights Within Reach
If your skylight is set into a low ceiling or is otherwise easy to get to, a manual control system is the most direct and budget-friendly way to go. These blinds typically have a neat little control bar along the bottom edge for you to operate by hand.
It’s a simple, foolproof method. No fuss, no electronics, just direct control. And if the skylight is just a bit too high to comfortably reach? No problem. You can get telescopic rods and adaptors that let you open and close the blinds without needing to grab a step ladder.
Electric Blinds for Ultimate Reliability
When you want a rock-solid, permanent solution—especially for those skylights in high, vaulted ceilings or as part of a new build or major reno—electric (or hard-wired) blinds are a brilliant choice. They connect directly to your home’s electrical system, so you’ll never have to think about changing a battery.
Operating them is effortless, usually with a sleek wall-mounted keypad or a handy remote control. Because they need to be wired in, the ideal time to install them is during construction so all the cabling can be hidden away for a clean, professional finish. If you’re considering this powerful upgrade, you can learn more about the perks of motorised skylight blinds and how they fit into a modern home.
With a hard-wired system, the power is always there when you need it. This makes electric blinds a fantastic ‘set and forget’ solution for skylights that are difficult to access.
Solar-Powered Blinds for Smart Retrofitting
Solar-powered blinds are a perfect blend of modern tech and simple installation. They are the go-to solution for existing skylights where running new electrical wiring would be a messy, complicated, or expensive job.
Each blind comes with its own small, super-efficient solar panel that constantly trickles charge to a concealed, built-in battery. This little panel captures daylight to power the motor, making the whole system self-sufficient.
No Electrician Needed: Because there’s no wiring, installation is a breeze.
Energy Efficient: The blind runs entirely on clean, free energy from the sun.
Reliable Performance: The battery holds enough charge for hundreds of operations, so it works flawlessly on cloudy days or at night.
This makes solar-powered models a hugely popular and eco-friendly upgrade, giving you all the convenience of a remote control without any of the installation headaches.
The Future of Control: Velux ACTIVE
For the ultimate smart home experience, the Velux ACTIVE with NETATMO system takes control to a completely new level. This isn’t just about pushing a button on a remote; it’s about creating a healthier indoor environment that basically runs itself.
The system uses clever sensors to monitor your home’s temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels in real-time. Based on what it senses, it can automatically:
Close blinds during the hottest part of a summer afternoon to keep your home cool.
Open blinds on a sunny winter morning to capture natural warmth.
Operate venting skylights to let out stuffy air when CO2 levels get too high.
This proactive approach helps maintain a comfortable and healthy atmosphere inside, all while optimising your home’s energy efficiency. It gives you complete peace of mind, whether you’re home or away. It’s simply the smartest way to control your Velux skylights blinds.
How to Find Your Skylight Size Code for a Perfect Fit
Forget about climbing a ladder with a wobbly tape measure. When it comes to ordering blinds for Velux skylights, there’s a brilliantly simple system that takes out all the guesswork and guarantees a perfect fit, every single time.
The secret is a small metal tag—often called a data plate or ID tag—located right on the skylight frame. This little plate has all the information you need, making the whole ordering process incredibly straightforward. You just need to know where to look.
Locating the Skylight Data Plate
To find your skylight’s unique code, you’ll need to open the window. Look along the inside of the frame, usually tucked away in the top right-hand corner of the sash (that’s the part that moves).
There you’ll find the small metal plate, stamped with a couple of key details about your specific Velux model.
Skylight Model: This is the first bit of info, often a code like GGL or VSE, which identifies the type of skylight you have.
Size Code: This is the crucial part for your blind order. It will look something like M08, S06, or 308.
This size code is your golden ticket. When you order a blind using this code, it is manufactured to fit your skylight model perfectly, aligning with the pre-installed mounting brackets that are already on your window.
This “perfect fit” promise is one of the best things about the Velux system. The brackets, which are part of their patented Pick&Click!™ system, are already in place on the frame, just waiting for your new blind to be clicked into position. This means there’s virtually no chance of ordering the wrong size, saving you from costly mistakes and the headache of returns.
What If the Data Plate Is Missing or Unreadable?
After many years of use, a data plate can sometimes get worn down, painted over, or even removed entirely. If you can’t find or read the code on your skylight, don’t worry—you still have a reliable backup plan.
You’ll need to take a quick measurement, but not of the whole frame. All you need is the visible glass size.
Measure the Width: Carefully measure the width of the glass pane you can see, from one side of the internal frame to the other.
Measure the Height: Do the same thing for the height, measuring the visible glass from top to bottom.
Provide These Dimensions: Give these two measurements to your supplier. With this info, they can cross-reference it with Velux’s product specifications and pinpoint the correct size code for your skylight.
By using either the size code or the visible glass measurements, you can order your new Velux skylights blinds with total confidence, knowing they will fit flawlessly right out of the box.
DIY Installation Versus Hiring a Professional
So, you’ve picked out the perfect blinds for your Velux skylights. Fantastic. Now for the next big question: who’s going to put them in? Do you roll up your sleeves and go for it, or is this a job for a professional?
Honestly, the right answer really comes down to your comfort level with basic tools, how easy your skylights are to get to, and whether you value saving a few dollars over saving a bit of time. Both paths have their perks, so let’s walk through them.
The Case for DIY Installation
Velux has clearly put a ton of thought into making their blinds easy for homeowners to install. The secret weapon here is their Pick&Click!™ system. It’s not just a clever name—it’s a set of pre-installed mounting brackets that are already part of every single Velux skylight.
These brackets are sitting there, perfectly positioned and waiting for you. That means no tricky measuring, no drilling, and absolutely no guesswork. The blind just clicks straight into place. It’s that simple.
For most people with skylights they can easily reach, a DIY installation is not just doable; it’s surprisingly quick. Many find they can get a new blind fitted and working in less than 30 minutes.
Here’s why doing it yourself is such a popular choice:
Serious Cost Savings: The biggest win is avoiding professional labour costs. That’s money you can put towards another part of your renovation.
Total Flexibility: You get to install the blinds whenever it suits you. A quiet Saturday morning? A spare hour on a Tuesday night? No need to coordinate with anyone else’s schedule.
Simple and Satisfying: With the straightforward instructions and that brilliant Pick&Click!™ system, the whole process is a breeze. There’s a real sense of achievement when you stand back and admire your own handiwork.
All you’ll likely need is a screwdriver and maybe a stepladder. The system is designed from the ground up to take the usual frustration out of home improvement projects.
When to Hire a Professional
While the DIY route is a great fit for many, there are some very good reasons to call in an experienced installer. A pro brings efficiency and expertise, giving you a level of confidence that’s often worth every cent.
You should definitely think about hiring a professional in these scenarios:
Hard-to-Reach Skylights: If your skylights are way up high in a vaulted ceiling or awkwardly placed over a staircase, safety has to come first. Professionals have the proper gear—think secure scaffolding and stable ladders—to work at height without risk.
Complex Installations: Planning on installing motorised electric blinds? If they need to be hard-wired into your home’s electrical system, you absolutely must use a qualified electrician. This isn’t just for safety; it’s about ensuring everything is up to code.
Peace of Mind: When you hire a pro, you eliminate any worry about accidentally damaging your new blind or the skylight frame. You get the guarantee of a perfect, professional job, done right the first time.
Time Constraints: Juggling a dozen other renovation tasks? If you’re stretched for time, outsourcing the installation means you can focus on other priorities, knowing the job is in capable hands.
At the end of the day, the choice is a balance of cost, convenience, and safety. For a standard skylight in a regular-height ceiling, the DIY path can be a quick and rewarding little project. But for anything high, complex, or involving wiring, the expertise and safety offered by a professional is non-negotiable.
Built Tough for Australian Weather Conditions
Let’s be honest, the Australian climate doesn’t mess around. From scorching summer heat and sudden, violent hailstorms to the constant threat of bushfires, anything you put on your roof has to be incredibly tough. This is where Velux skylights and their purpose-built blinds really earn their keep, engineered not just to survive our local conditions, but to thrive in them.
These products go through some serious testing to make sure they can handle whatever the Aussie skies decide to throw at them. This isn’t just about looking good; it’s about giving you genuine, long-term protection and peace of mind.
Certified for Bushfire Prone Areas
For a huge number of homeowners, bushfire safety isn’t just a feature—it’s a non-negotiable. Velux steps up to this challenge with a critical safety certification that many others can’t match. Their High Performance skylights are tested and approved for use in bushfire-prone areas right up to a BAL 40 (Bushfire Attack Level) rating.
What does that mean in the real world? It means they’ve been put through the wringer, tested to withstand extreme radiant heat and direct ember attack. Specifically, Velux High Performance skylights are certified under AS3959, holding up against intense heat up to 930°C at BAL 40 levels. This gives them a massive advantage in Australia, where resilience is everything. You can learn more about their Australian-specific engineering over on velux.com.au.
Resilient Against Storms and Noise
Fire isn’t the only thing our weather throws at us. Sudden downpours and hail are a fact of life, often turning a roof into a noisy drum. Velux skylights are built with this in mind, featuring superior acoustic performance that seriously dampens the racket from heavy rain or even traffic.
The result is a much quieter, calmer home. On top of that, their construction is proven to resist hail impact, protecting your investment from the kind of storm damage that can easily compromise lesser products.
By choosing a system designed and tested for local compliance and resilience, you are investing in a product that is not just an aesthetic addition but a robust, functional part of your home’s protective shell.
This combination of features ensures your Velux skylights blinds and the window itself work together as one seamless system, delivering both comfort and security. Whether it’s the quiet hush during a rainstorm or the confidence of that BAL 40 rating, this focus on Australian conditions is what makes Velux a go-to choice for homeowners who demand real performance from their building materials.
Answering Your Top Velux Blind Questions
Got a few lingering questions? Perfect. We find that once homeowners have the key details, they feel much more confident about choosing the right blinds. Let’s tackle some of the most common queries we hear about Velux skylight blinds.
Can I Use Velux Blinds on a Non-Velux Skylight?
This one comes up a lot, and the answer is a straightforward no. Velux blinds are engineered with incredible precision to work with their patented Pick&Click!™ mounting system, which you’ll only find on genuine Velux skylights. This system is the secret to that perfect, gap-free fit that gives you total light control and insulation.
Trying to rig them onto another brand is a recipe for frustration. You’ll likely end up with a poor fit, annoying light leaks, compromised thermal performance, and blinds that just don’t operate smoothly. For any other skylight brand, your best bet is always to use blinds from the original manufacturer or a custom supplier to ensure they work as they should.
How Do I Clean and Maintain My Skylight Blinds?
Keeping your blinds looking and working like new is surprisingly simple. A little bit of regular, gentle maintenance is all it takes to keep them in great shape for years to come.
Fabric Blinds: Give them a regular dusting with a soft cloth. You can also use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment on its lowest setting. For any minor spots, just gently blot the area with a damp cloth and a touch of mild, pH-neutral soap.
Venetian Blinds: It doesn’t get easier than this – simply wipe the aluminium slats clean with a damp cloth.
Important Tip: Steer clear of harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. They can wreak havoc on the fabric or finish. Always let the blind dry completely before you roll it up to protect the material and the internal mechanism.
And if you want to keep the glass itself sparkling, you can find some great advice on how to clean skylights effectively to ensure the whole unit looks fantastic.
A simple cleaning routine doesn’t just keep your blinds looking sharp; it protects the delicate mechanisms from dust, ensuring they keep gliding smoothly for years.
What Warranty Comes with Velux Blinds?
Velux Australia really stands behind their craftsmanship, offering a solid 3-year warranty on all their blinds and accessories. This gives you comprehensive cover against any defects in materials or workmanship.
Crucially, this guarantee also extends to all the motorised bits and pieces in their electric and solar-powered models. It’s a real reflection of the brand’s confidence in the quality and durability of their entire range. Just remember to pop your proof of purchase somewhere safe in case you ever need it.
Are Solar-Powered Blinds Reliable on Cloudy Days?
Absolutely. It’s a fair question, but the technology is incredibly efficient. The integrated solar panel is designed to charge its battery even when it’s overcast, meaning it doesn’t need constant, direct sunshine to do its job.
A fully charged battery actually holds enough power for hundreds of operations without getting any sunlight at all. This means your blinds will work flawlessly day or night, rain or shine. You can count on their performance all year round, making them a seriously reliable and energy-smart choice for any Australian home.
Ready to bring superior light control and style to your home? Vivid Skylights offers a range of high-quality skylight solutions and accessories designed for Australian conditions.
Explore our products and get a customised estimate today at https://vividskylights.com.au.