FAQs

Louvered roofs pergolas are designed as an all-weather solution and the roof louvers interlocking design provide a watertight roof covering when closed according to Belgian standard NBN 306. It is important to ensure a free flow of water from the closed roof louvers that the internal guttering is regularly cleaned. The roof louvers features a … More

External roller blinds along with being used for sun control can also be used during rain showers or to provide shelter from rain showers when installed on exposed apertures such as pergolas and verandas, as the fabric is running vertically and there is no chance of water ‘pooling’ on the material. On our external roof … More

It is perfectly safe to use a coal, wood or gas fired BBQ or fireplace beneath the louvered roof. In fact it is extremely common for outdoor kitchens to be installed beneath the structure. The only stipulation is that any flues from for example pizza ovens be positioned a minimum of 0.3m from the underside … More

Patio awnings, if set with a suitable pitch, can be used to provide shelter from rain showers. To guarantee rainwater runs off and does not pool on the material, patio awnings must be set with a pitch of 14 degrees (or greater), as set out in European Directive EN13561. As an additional benefit, thanks to … More

Single storey buildings, including extensions and bungalows, pose two main issues when it comes to installing patio awnings; limited mounting space above the top of the patio doors/window and lack of structural strength at the top of the wall where the awning needs to be attached/positioned. However, with specially designed brackets, these obstacles can be … More

Our external blind fabrics are produced from 100% spun dyed acrylic (blockout material) or polyester (dimout material) fibres. This simply means that as the fibres are spun into yarn, they are dyed in a chemical bath to give them their colour. This solution dying (also referred to as dip dying) process colours the fibre all … More

Our external blinds have been designed and constructed from high-quality materials with premium coatings and concealed elements, meaning the only maintenance required is a little TLC (cleaning) from time to time. Corrosion-resistant aluminium profiles and stainless steel components featured on our external blinds do not rust. Integrated motors concealed within the fabric barrel stay protected … More

Our louvered roof side screen fabrics are produced from 100% spun dyed polyester fibres. This simply means that as the fibres are spun into yarn, they are dyed in a chemical bath to give them their colour. This solution dying (also referred to as dip dying) process colours the fibre all the way through to … More

Our louvered roof pergolas have been designed and constructed from high-quality materials with premium coatings and concealed elements, meaning the only maintenance required is a little TLC (cleaning) from time to time. Corrosion-resistant aluminium profiles and stainless steel components featured on our louvered roofs do not rust. Concealed motors built within the framework stay protected … More

Our patio awning fabrics are produced from 100% spun dyed acrylic fibres. This simply means that as the acrylic fibres are spun into yarn, they are dyed in a chemical bath to give them their colour. This solution dying (also referred to as dip dying) process colours the fibre all the way through to the … More

Our patio awnings have been designed and constructed from high-quality materials with premium coatings and concealed elements, meaning the only maintenance required is a little TLC (cleaning) from time to time. Corrosion-resistant aluminium profiles and stainless steel components featured on our patio awnings do not rust. Integrated motors concealed within the fabric barrel stay protected … More

In the majority of instances, planning permission is not required to install a patio awning on the rear of a residential property, as these fall under permitted development rights. There are some exceptions however, including where your property is located in a conservation, green belt or AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty), your property is … More

Our exclusive dimout and blockout external blind fabrics are impregnated with the most advanced TEXgard coating; an invisible protective shield around each individual fibre which creates a surface structure similar to the microstructure found on a lotus leaf. Closely arranged NANO chemistry carbon fluoride chains prevent dirt and water from clinging to the fabric surface … More

Our exclusive louvered roof side screen fabrics are impregnated with the most advanced TEXgard coating; an invisible protective shield around each individual fibre which creates a surface structure similar to the microstructure found on a lotus leaf. Closely arranged NANO chemistry carbon fluoride chains prevent dirt and water from clinging to the fabric surface generating … More

The correct installation of a patio awning is as important as the quality of the patio awning itself. Containing powerful spring-loaded arms and weighing in some instances more than 100kg, a patio awning, in essence, is like a sail on the side of your property, exposed to gusts of winds and all kinds of strains … More

Our exclusive patio awning fabrics are impregnated with the most advanced TEXgard coating; an invisible protective shield around each individual fibre which creates a surface structure similar to the microstructure found on a lotus leaf. Closely arranged NANO chemistry carbon fluoride chains prevent dirt and water from clinging to the fabric surface generating a self-cleaning … More

All our external blinds are bespoke, made to measure to your exact requirements and therefore the cost varies significantly depending on the model, specification (size, hardware colour, operation type…) and mounting detail. The chart below details the typical from and to prices for the different external blind models assumed installed in the case of external … More

All our louvered roofs are bespoke, made to measure to your exact requirements and therefore the cost varies significantly depending on the model, specification (size, hardware colour…), configuration (freestanding, lean-to…), and mounting detail, along with any options (lighting, heating, side screens…). The chart below details the typical from and to prices for the different model louvered … More

All our patio awnings are bespoke, made to measure to your exact requirements and therefore the cost varies significantly depending on the model, specification (size, hardware colour, operation type…) property type (house, extension, bungalow…) and subsequent mounting brackets, along with any options (lighting, heating…). The chart below details the typical from and to prices for … More

Our external blinds are designed and built to withstand the elements, including strong breezes and occasional gusts of winds. European Directive EN13561, which all external blinds must be certified to, details different wind classes (class 1, 2 & 3) and confirms the suitability of an external blind in different wind conditions. The chart below shows … More

Our louvered roofs pergolas are designed and built to withstand the elements, tested by the renowned independent quality standard body TÜV. The chart below shows the different elements of our louvered roofs and the wind speed rating, including a description of the acceptable wind levels. It should be noted that the wind class rating is … More

Our patio awnings are designed and built to withstand the elements, including strong breezes and occasional gusts of winds. European Directive EN13561, which all patio awnings must be certified to, details different wind classes (class 1, 2 & 3) and confirms the suitability of a patio awning in different wind conditions. The chart below shows … More

In the majority of cases, planning permission is not required for louvered roofs pergolas as they fall within permitted development rights. Permitted development does, however, put a few stipulations on sizing. If the louvered roof is being installed abutting the rear of your property it will class as an extension to your property and therefore … More

The CE marking is a declaration by the manufacturer (in this instance us – Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd), that their products meet all the appropriate provisions of the relevant legislation implementing certain European directives. It is a form of safety tests to give the purchaser peace of mind that the product they are purchasing meets … More

The CE marking is a declaration by the manufacturer (in this instance us – Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd), that their products meet all the appropriate provisions of the relevant legislation implementing certain European directives. It is a form of safety tests to give the purchaser peace of mind that the product they are purchasing meets … More

The openness factor (OF), sometimes referred to as the openness co-efficient of an external blind fabric refers to the percentage of perforations (holes) in a fabric against the total surface area of the fabric. It is an important factor in determining how much light will transmit through a fabric along with the level of outward … More

A louvered roof pergolas weighs typically between 400-500kg per structure dependent on final size and specification. This load is spread evenly over the post uprights, creating a load per post of around 100-125kg and therefore it is possible to install a louvered roof on all ground types, with little or even no groundworks. For an … More

Our patio awnings are built to last a lifetime and we are pleased to offer therefore an industry-leading fully comprehensive 5-year guarantee* covering parts, labour and our workmanship. The guarantee covers the complete patio awning system including framework (hardware), mechanism (folding arms), fabric (material) and electronics (motors, transmitters and sensors). All accessories including under awning … More

Our external blinds are built to last a lifetime and we are pleased to offer therefore an industry-leading fully comprehensive 5-year guarantee* covering parts, labour and our workmanship. The guarantee covers the complete external blind system including framework (hardware), mechanism (tensioning system), fabric (material) and electronics (motors, transmitters and sensors). In the highly unlikely event … More

Our louvered roof pergolas are built to last a lifetime and we are pleased to offer therefore an industry-leading fully comprehensive 5-year guarantee* covering parts, labour and our workmanship. The guarantee covers the complete louvered roof system including framework (hardware), mechanism (rotating/sliding roof) and electronics (motors, transmitters and sensors) along with optional side screens (fabric). … More

The mounting height of a patio awning is determined by the required leadrail (walk under) height and the pitch the awning is required at. Subsequently, the pitch is determined by the use of the awning. Patio awnings along with being used for sun protection are also used to provide shelter from rain showers. To ensure … More

Louvered roof pergolas are designed to enable year-round use of outdoor spaces, providing bioclimatic shading; adapting to the changing weather conditions to provide a comfortable space. Ultimately, they provide a solution that sits between a patio awning which provides you alfresco living offering sun and rain shelter but cannot be used in adverse weather conditions … More

Dating back to the Victorian times (mid-1800’s), awnings were initially used, before air conditioning was even invented to shade what was at the time elaborate glass shop frontages, passively cooling the interior of buildings and today still serve the same purpose in a commercial environment. Nowadays patio awnings along with passively cooling the adjoining interior … More

External blinds mounted outside and running in front of glazing of all sizes and inclinations including sliding and folding patio doors along with roof and skylights, primary function is to stop the suns’ heat energy before it even reaches the glass, preventing unwanted solar heat gain (up to 97% heat block) to avoid overheating to … More

The pitch (angle) of a patio awning is set at manufacture/installation and can be as little 0 degrees (completely horizontal) up to as much as 45 degrees (dependent on model). The pitch is determined by the leadrail (walk under) height when the awning is fully extended and the mounting height of the awning on the … More

Our electric external blinds draw approximately 1.1amps, although at startup (activation of motor) this draw can double to circa 2.2amps. The tubular motor, which is built inside the external blind contained in the rollertube to either the left or right-hand side, has a sealed standard 3 core, (live, neutral, earth) black power cable, exiting it, … More

Our electric louvered roofs, structure (roof), optional side screens, LED lighting and up to 1 infrared heater can be powered from a standard domestic 13amp fuse spur, to which the structure power cable (3 core; live, neutral, earth) would be hard-wired into or to a 13amp switched socket, which the power cable would have a … More

Our electric patio awnings with or without LED under awning lighting draw around 1.1amps, although at start up (activation of motor) this draw can double circa 2.2amps. The tubular motor, which is built inside the patio awning contained in the rollertube to either the left or right-hand side, has a sealed standard 3 core, (live, … More

The width and depth (projection – arm size) of a patio awning are vital to it serving the function it is required for. There are a number of considerations that should be taken into account including use (outdoor dining, internal shade), property aspect, surrounding factors (trees, fences), obstructions (soil pipes) and aesthetics. however, as a … More

When the roof louvers are closed, they have a small fall (slope) from front to back of approx 6cm; water runs off the roof louvers into an internal guttering built on the inside of the cross beams of the structure on all sides (front & back only on Classic model). The internal guttering is connected … More

Our external blind fabrics are high-performance materials designed to provide both a functional and decorative role, however, despite meeting the highest European standards and laboratory tests, they can only be manufactured to a limited degree of perfection even with today’s state of the art machinery.Waviness and rippling occurs both around the seams, where the panels of … More

Our louvered roof pergola side screen fabrics are high-performance materials designed to provide both a functional and decorative role, however, despite meeting the highest European standards and laboratory tests, they can only be manufactured to a limited degree of perfection even with today’s state of the art machinery. Waviness and rippling occurs both around the … More

Our patio awning fabrics are high-performance materials designed to provide both a functional and decorative role, however, despite meeting the highest European standards and laboratory tests, they can only be manufactured to a limited degree of perfection even with today’s state of the art machinery. Waviness and rippling occurs both around the seams (where the … More

Our patio awnings feature between 2 – 6 (depending on model & width) folding arms each containing 2 heavy-duty double coiled internal springs. These springs are stretched (put under tension) when they are folded back and therefore want to push the patio awning open so they can return to their natural (un-stretched) positions. This is … More