Ian Short, Managing Director of Morley Glass, explains the often overlooked role that integral blinds play in maximising home security, and why its slimline system is perfect for providing an enhanced Approved Document Q compliant security solution for standard width IGUs.

Why do homeowners choose integral blinds as part of their window and door package? For the vast majority it is so that they can have privacy as and when

they want it and to enhance the visual appeal and quality of their living spaces. This includes being able to better regulate the amount of light and heat entering their room to maintain good levels of comfort and brightness.

There is one major benefit of integral blinds that is often overlooked, however – security. Given how easy integral blinds are to operate, it is never a hassle to close the blinds, fully or partially, even when you are only leaving the property for a short period. This makes it easy to close out

prying eyes as well as burglars looking for a future target.

When you choose ScreenLine ® MB System brushless motorised integral blinds or the W Smart battery-operated motorised system, it is possible to control the blinds via remote control for extra convenience. In addition, the MB System can be integrated into all the leading smart home systems, including Loxone, which means the blinds can be raised, lowered and slat tilted using a smartphone. Remote control functionality is also available with our Uni-Switch ® switchable smart glass.

But it is not only our techbased shading and privacy solutions that can contribute to enhanced security. All of our manually-operated integral blind systems add an important extra layer of security whilst also enhancing the aesthetics of the window or door.

Our Venetian integral blind systems, including the cordless magnetic slider controlled SV and SV + and the cord-operated C System, allow for really easy adjustment of the slats so light can still enter the room even when passers-by cannot see in. And our

pleated integral blind, the S System, features a high quality fabric that allows for soft diffusion of light when it is lowered – again allowing a degree of light transmission whilst keeping internal spaces private.

Enhanced security plus an integral blind within a 28mm IGU

Where customers are seeking to achieve higher levels of burglary resistance, one option that is becoming increasingly common is to offer a 28mm IGU with a 6.8mm laminated outer pane. This is the specification that is being widely adopted to meet the requirements of Approved Document Q for new build and Secured by Design.

However, this can be a problem for homeowners who also want integral blinds because of the way the laminated pane reduces the cavity width by 2.8mm,

versus a standard 4mm pane. This tiny reduction makes it too narrow for standard integral blinds to be incorporated where the overall IGU width must be 28mm.

Fortunately, there is a solution with the slimline ScreenLine ® SL16 Sliding Venetian integral blind system, which is exclusively available in the UK from Morley Glass.

The reason why the SL16 works where other integral blinds don’ t is because the Venetian slats are just 10mm wide, rather than the standard 12mm. This means it will fit within a 16mm cavity, enabling a 28mm IGU to be manufactured with both a laminated outer pane and an integral blind in a 6.8-16-4mm configuration.

Find out more about the benefits of integral blinds from Morley Glass at www. morleyglass. co. uk