Pleated Curtains Velux® Windows

Not all Velux blinds and shades solve the same problem. And this is where it helps to start with something very simple, even if it is not always explained this way. Most people searching for Velux blinds or shades for Velux windows are not just looking for “something that looks good”. What they usually want to solve is one of these situations: 

• the room becomes too bright too early in the morning
• sunlight enters too aggressively during the day
• high summer temperatures make the room feel much hotter
• lack of shutters (very common in modern homes)
• the window is positioned so high that daily use becomes inconvenient

And of course, depending on these situations, the same solution will not always make sense. That is why we always tell our customers the same thing: do not think only about “which blind do I like”. Instead, approach it differently: what do you actually need your Velux blind or shade to do?

A Velux blind can provide full blackout or simply soften the light. And there is also a big difference between an attic bedroom where you sleep every night and a space where you simply want more comfort and better light control. 

Velux window blinds when early morning light is the main problem

Light entering the room at sunrise is probably the most common issue in attic bedrooms. Some customers come looking for a blackout Velux blind because they have already tried other solutions before and the result was disappointing. The comment usually sounds something like this: “Yes, it blocks some light, but by seven in the morning the whole room is bright again.” 

And this is where the important detail comes in. With a roof window, it is not enough for the fabric to simply be dark. If the system does not fit properly against the frame, light will still find its way through the sides or edges. And when that happens, the blackout effect never feels complete.

In fact, one of the most common mistakes is thinking the issue is the fabric itself, when that is not always true. You may choose a blackout fabric, but if the system does not fit correctly, light leakage will still be noticeable and the room will never feel fully dark. 

That is why, if your priority is sleeping better, properly darkening the room or reducing light as much as possible from early morning onwards, a thermal blackout pleated blind designed specifically for this type of window is usually the best option. In practice, these solutions tend to provide a much higher level of darkness than more generic or poorly fitted alternatives.

That said, it is worth being honest here: although the result is usually very good, 100% darkness does not depend only on the fabric, but also on how well the system fits the window. In some cases, a small line of light may still remain, which is far more common with products not specifically designed for roof windows. Even so, among the available solutions for Velux windows, a properly fitted blackout pleated blind remains one of the most effective ways to improve sleep quality.

And here there really is a difference between “something that covers the window” and a solution that genuinely helps.

If heat is also a problem, the right choice changes quite a lot

This is something many people underestimate at first. Roof windows receive sunlight much more directly, which means the room heats up much faster during certain hours of the day compared to a standard room. This is especially noticeable in attic spaces during spring and summer. That is why many people who initially search for Velux blinds end up also needing a solution that improves thermal insulation.

And this is where thermal pleated blinds or insulated roof window blinds make a lot of sense. It is not magic, obviously. But it is one of those things you genuinely notice once installed. The room simply becomes easier to live in. Less aggressive. And in spaces exposed to strong sunlight, that difference is appreciated very quickly. Another detail many people only realise afterwards: it also helps in winter. Especially in attic rooms that lose heat faster overnight than other areas of the house.

Velux blind or Velux curtain? The confusion is completely normal

This is a very common question, and honestly it makes sense. Some people search for Velux blinds, others search for Velux curtains, but in reality almost everyone is trying to solve the same issue: controlling light, heat or privacy in a sloped roof window. So practically speaking, there is no need to obsess too much over whether you call it a “blind” or a “curtain”. What really matters is focusing on these four things:

• how well it fits the frame
• how much light it lets through
• whether thermal insulation matters to you
• and whether it will actually feel comfortable to use every day

Because honestly, people often spend too much time worrying about the name and not enough time thinking about how the product will behave once installed. And this happens much more often than people expect when comparing options online.

What to consider before buying Velux blinds or shades

This is where a bit of advice helps avoid quite a few mistakes.

1. How the room is used. Dressing a roof window in a bedroom is very different from installing one in a home office or hallway. If you need real darkness, it is best to start from there rather than “seeing how it goes afterwards”.

2. The height of the window. This may sound like a small detail, but it is not. If the window is positioned high up or awkwardly, many people first choose a manual solution… and a few weeks later realise they barely use it. In those cases, a motorised option usually makes much more sense.

3. Sun exposure. Some attic rooms only receive strong sunlight in the morning, while others stay hot for most of the day. And that changes the type of solution that works best.

4. The installation type. If you do not want to drill holes or prefer a cleaner finish, it is worth considering no-drill blinds that integrate neatly with the window.

5. Measuring correctly before buying. This sounds obvious, but it is still worth mentioning. With roof windows, even a small mistake in the reference code or measurements can significantly affect the final fit. Many customers think “close enough will work”, but with this type of product that is rarely the best approach. There is not always one perfect answer, but there are definitely choices that make more sense depending on the situation.

Motorised, solar and no-drill solutions: when comfort genuinely matters

This is where many customers change their mind once they properly understand how the product works. With roof windows and attic spaces, especially when the window is difficult to reach, a motorised solution is not just “more premium” or “more attractive”. Quite often, it is simply the option that makes the most sense.

In our Velux solutions, for example, you can find systems with: remote control, integrated control button, solar-powered charging, no-drill installation and integrated frames for a cleaner fit. And honestly, this avoids many of the typical “yes, but eventually I’ll stop using it because it’s inconvenient” situations. Which sounds insignificant… until it happens. And when the window is positioned really high up, it stops being an “extra” and simply becomes the logical choice. 

Blackout or filtered light: which option usually works better?

There is no single correct answer for everyone here. If you want genuine darkness, the best option is usually a blackout Velux blind or an opaque fabric like Alaska, especially in bedrooms, children’s rooms or spaces where light is genuinely disruptive.

If instead you prefer a bright but more comfortable room, then a translucent option such as Aspen usually makes more sense. It softens incoming daylight without completely darkening the room. And this is worth saying clearly: some customers arrive convinced they need “the darkest possible option”… and after a short conversation you realise a translucent solution actually suits them better because they do not want to darken the room completely, only soften the light. That kind of nuance is often what makes the difference between a good purchase and the wrong one. And yes, this happens very often in rooms used for working, reading or simply spaces where people do not want to live in darkness every time the blind is lowered.

Our recommendation as product advisors

After seeing many real-life situations, if we had to summarise everything in one sentence, it would be this: when you choose a solution genuinely designed for Velux windows, the difference is noticed far more in daily life than in the product description itself.

You notice it in how the light enters the room. In how the space behaves when the sun hits the window. And in how easy or inconvenient it feels to use the blind every day. That is why, if you are comparing options, the most sensible approach is usually not to start with the colour or finish, but with the actual problem you need to solve. And from there, choose the solution that best fits both your window and the way you use the room.

If you want to explore all available options, you can browse our collection of blinds for sloped ceilings, roof window blinds and solutions specifically designed for attic windows. Because at the end of the day — and this is something any advisor who has worked with real customers would probably say — the best solution is not the one that promises the most on paper. It is the one that makes you think less about the window once it is installed.

If you are unsure whether a blackout or translucent option is right for you, or you simply do not know which solution fits your window best, our Cortinadecor team can help you choose the most suitable option before buying.

What customers ask us most about Velux blinds and shades

What blind should I choose for a Velux window?

It depends on what you need. If your priority is complete darkness, a blackout blind is usually the best option. If you prefer to maintain natural light, a translucent solution may fit better. In both cases, what matters most is choosing a system specifically designed to fit roof windows correctly.

What works better in an attic: a blind or a curtain?

In practice, the important thing is not whether you call it a blind or a curtain, but choosing the right system. For attic spaces, a solution that fits neatly to the frame, helps control light and optionally improves thermal insulation usually makes the most sense.

Do Velux blinds help reduce heat?

Yes, especially if you choose a thermal fabric or pleated structure. These types of solutions help soften the impact of direct sunlight on roof windows and improve room comfort, something particularly noticeable in attic rooms or spaces with strong sun exposure.

Are there no-drill blinds for Velux windows?

Yes. No-drill Velux blinds are available and allow for a cleaner, less invasive installation, especially useful if you do not want to drill into the window or prefer a more integrated finish.

Which option provides the most darkness for a roof window?

Normally, a blackout blind that fits tightly against the frame is one of the most effective solutions for reducing light as much as possible in a roof window or attic room. Even so, depending on the final fit, a small line of light may sometimes remain.

Which Velux blind should I choose if the window is very high?

If the window is difficult to reach, a motorised blind is usually worth considering. It is not only about convenience: in many cases it simply becomes the option that people use most and that solves daily life more effectively.

How do I know whether I need a blackout or translucent Velux blind?

If your priority is sleeping better or blocking early morning light, a blackout option is usually the most suitable choice. If you prefer to soften daylight without completely darkening the room, a translucent solution generally works better.