Integral Glass Blinds in London & Essex
Built-In Window Blinds
SGC Glass supplies and installs integral glass blinds, blinds sealed neatly inside the double glazing itself, for homes and businesses throughout London, Essex and the surrounding areas. We fit the Pellini ScreenLine® range, a respected Italian integral blind system, giving you a clean, modern way to control light and privacy without a single cord, cable or exposed slat on show.
Trading since 1995, we install windows with built-in blinds in uPVC, aluminium and sliding sash frames, and our glaziers are DBS-checked CSCS cardholders. Whether you are updating a single room at home or specifying glazing across a commercial site, our team is on hand to help you choose the right system and arrange a free, no-obligation quote.
What are integral glass blinds?
Integral glass blinds are Venetian blinds sealed inside a double glazed unit, positioned in the cavity between the two panes of glass. Because the blind sits within the sealed unit rather than hanging in front of the window, it is protected from dust, damp and damage, and never needs cleaning. Integral blinds are also known as integrated blinds, blinds inside windows, or glass with built-in blinds, and all describe the same product: a maintenance-free blind built directly into your glazing.
The blind is operated from outside the sealed unit using a discreet magnetic slider or, on motorised systems, a remote or switch. This keeps the airtight seal, and the insulating gas fill, completely intact.
How double glazing with integral blinds works
Integral blinds in double glazing are built into the sealed unit at the point of manufacture. A standard UK sealed unit is 28mm thick, made up of a pane of glass, a spacer cavity of around 20mm, and a second pane, with the two panes bonded and sealed around the edge. The blind sits inside that cavity, which is why the unit needs enough internal depth to house it, typically a sealed unit of at least 24mm.
The panes used are toughened safety glass, and the finished unit installs into your frame exactly like any other double glazed unit. Movement is transferred to the blind through the glass by a magnetic slider, so the blind can be raised, lowered and tilted without ever breaching the seal. Our Pellini ScreenLine® range includes both magnetically operated and motorised options, the latter ideal for larger panels, high windows and hard-to-reach glazing.
Where integral glass blinds can be fitted
Integral blinds suit almost any glazed opening. We commonly install windows with integral blinds in casement and sash windows, and fit them into glazed doors including bi-fold, sliding and French doors, where conventional blinds are awkward or get in the way of the door’s operation. They also work well in glazed partitions and conservatory glazing.
You can specify integral blinds in your preferred frame material, whether that is low-maintenance aluminium windows or thermally efficient uPVC windows. All of our units are built with quality safety glass; if you would like to understand the options, our guide to the different types of glass explains how each performs.
Our Integral Blinds Brochure
Integral glass blinds for commercial properties
Blinds inside windows are an ideal specification for commercial premises. With no cords, no exposed mechanisms and no cleaning schedule, they are hard-wearing, safe and hygienic in high-traffic environments such as offices, meeting rooms, schools, healthcare settings and retail units. As experienced commercial glaziers, we regularly complete integral blind installations alongside wider commercial glazing projects, and we understand the demands of working on occupied sites, including for facilities management teams who need work completed cleanly and with minimal disruption.
The benefits of blinds inside windows
Integral blinds combine the practicality of a Venetian blind with the durability of a sealed glazing unit. The main advantages are:
Maintenance-free and hygienic
Because the blind is sealed between the panes, it cannot collect dust, grease or fingerprints, so there is nothing to wipe down or take apart. This makes blinds inside windows particularly well suited to kitchens, bathrooms, and busy commercial spaces where hygiene and low upkeep matter.
Child and pet safe by design
Traditional blinds rely on looped cords and chains, which the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) has long identified as a safety risk in homes and public buildings. Our integral blinds are operated by a cordless magnetic system, with no hanging cords for children or pets to reach, in line with the safety principles set out in cord safety standard BS EN 13120.
Precise light control and privacy on demand
Integral blinds tilt, raise and lower just like a conventional Venetian blind, so you can soften glare, screen an overlooked room or black out a space entirely. Each glazed panel has its own blind, which means you can shade one section while leaving another open to the light.
Improved energy efficiency
Independent research by the University of Salford’s Energy House Labs, commissioned by the BBSA, found that blinds and shutters can reduce heat loss through a window by up to 33%. Fitted inside a sealed, gas-filled double glazed unit, integral blinds add a further layer of control over heat and glare, helping to keep rooms cooler in summer and retain warmth in winter.
Why choose SGC Glass for integral blinds in London & Essex
SGC Glass has installed glass and glazing across London, Essex and the South East since 1995. We fit the trusted Pellini ScreenLine® integral blind system, and every installation is carried out by our own vetted glaziers, who are DBS-checked and hold CSCS cards.
We are FENSA registered and a member of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), and we hold ConstructionLine, Safe Contractor, CHAS and Achilles accreditations, so residential and commercial clients alike can be confident the work is completed to recognised industry standards. Despite our quality of product and workmanship, our pricing remains highly competitive.
In most cases the existing sealed unit is replaced with a new unit that has the blind built in, rather than adding a blind to your current glass. The frame usually stays in place, provided it can accommodate a unit of the required thickness. We will assess your windows or doors during your quote and advise on the best approach.
They are controlled from the outside of the sealed unit. Most of our units use a discreet magnetic slider on the edge of the glass to raise, lower and tilt the blind, while motorised systems can be operated by remote or switch. There are no cords inside the room.
For anyone wanting a low-maintenance, long-lasting and safe way to manage light and privacy, integral blinds are an excellent choice. They never need cleaning, cannot be damaged by children or pets, and are protected inside the glazing, which typically gives them a far longer working life than exposed blinds.
Every installation is made to measure, so the cost depends on the size, number and configuration of units, the frame type and whether you choose a magnetic or motorised system. We provide a free, no-obligation quote so you know the price before you commit.
Yes. Our integral blinds are available in a wide selection of slat colours and finishes, so they can be matched to your interior whether you prefer a contemporary or a more classic look.
