As the UK’ s increasingly regular summer heatwaves begin, now is a great time for window and door installers to provide homeowners with a solution that will help keep their homes cool in the form of integral blinds.

According to Morley Glass, the UK’ s largest manufacturer of bespoke ScreenLine ® integral blinds, an IGU complete with an integral blind and solar control glass can reduce heat transmission to such an extent that the temperature difference between outside to inside is cut by up to 9 ° Celsius. This level of heat reduction is maintained over the lifespan of the company’ s Uni- Blinds ® units, giving homeowners a long

term solution for reducing overheating risk as climate change impacts and summer temperatures gradually rise.

All Uni-Blinds ® integral blind systems offer heat reflection, with certain colours and types being particularly effective. The blind’ s functionality can be paired with the advanced solar control glass option that Morley Glass offers for maximum protection in strong sunshine. This glass has a microscopically thin coating applied to the inner face of the glass to reduce solar gain whilst also preventing heat loss at colder times of the year.

As integral blinds are permanently sealed within the IGU, they cannot become damaged or attract dirt or dust which

affects the longevity and visual appearance of traditional blinds, curtains and external solar shading systems such as external shutters, brise soleil and awnings.

Ian Short, Managing Director of Morley Glass, said:“ June 2026 has seen a large part of Britain and Europe affected by another intense heatwave, which understandably means more and more homeowners are turning their attention to how to keep their homes cool. This is quite a reversal in traditional thinking for many UK consumers who have up to recently been heavily focused on the opposite – insulating our homes to keep warm – especially as we’ ve seen energy prices spike.

“ Cooling is going to be a bigger part of consumer purchasing decisions in future, and integral blinds offer installers a valuable market opportunity to provide a product that ticks both boxes.”

While ScreenLine ® integral blinds are best known as a solution to provide privacy, one of the main reasons for their development by Pellini S. p. A. back in the 1990s was to offer an alternative to damage-prone external shutters, which are widely used in houses and apartments across mainland Europe.

In addition, such is the effectiveness of ScreenLine ® integral blinds at keeping homes cool during strong sunshine that they also negate the need for power-consuming air conditioning systems. These are increasingly being considered for use in domestic properties with potential consequences for the UK’ s carbon reduction targets, raising concerns amongst policymakers.

www. morleyglass. co. uk

Mul-T-Lock has introduced the MTL™300 modular cylinder kit, providing installers with a flexible method for assembling bespoke euro profile cylinders while maintaining the patented security and key control capabilities associated with the MTL™300 platform.

Designed to support Single, Double and Thumb Turn configurations, the modular kit, previously available only within the MTL™600 range, extends the same build-to-size approach to MTL™300 cylinders through a dedicated set of components. This allows installers to create

a wide range of cylinder sizes as required, from 31mm up to 120mm per side, without the need to hold extensive pre-assembled stock.

The system has been developed to reflect installer requirements working across both domestic and commercial environments, where non-standard door dimensions and urgent replacement needs are common. By enabling cylinders to be assembled quickly and accurately, the kit supports a more responsive approach to customer service while maintaining consistency in product specification.

Nigel Taylor, ASSA

ABLOY Group Director & Head of Locksmiths UKI – Commercial Group said:“ The MTL™300 modular cylinder kit has been designed to give installers greater flexibility in how they meet customer requirements. It is about providing one kit, endless possibilities, allowing cylinders to be assembled to exact specifications as needed. This is particularly valuable when working with non-standard installations or time-sensitive jobs.”

Each kit is supplied with a detailed reference table to identify the components required for specific cylinder lengths. This simplifies

the selection process and supports efficient assembly, particularly when dealing with uncommon sizes. Double and Thumb Turn cylinders are constructed around a central two-sided bar, with each side marked to indicate its corresponding length group, ensuring clarity and precision throughout the build process.

This modular approach helps to reduce the logistical challenges associated with stock management. By holding a defined set of components rather than a large inventory of complete cylinders, installers can optimise storage while still being equipped to meet a

wide variety of requests. At the same time, the use of dedicated components ensures that the integrity of the MTL™300 system is maintained across all configurations.

Nigel added:“ The expansion of the modular system into the MTL™300 range builds on its established use within the MTL™600 platform, extending similar assembly benefits to a broader segment of the market. It reinforces the ongoing focus on combining

physical security with controlled key systems, which remain central considerations in both residential and commercial applications. Overall, the MTL™300 modular cylinder kit provides a structured and adaptable solution for installers seeking to balance efficiency, accuracy and security when supplying euro profile cylinders tailored to individual requirements.”

www. mul-t-lock. com