The Sunbuster blind offers an entirely new solution to safety, energy efficiency and blackout issues.

The brainchild of the parents of three children with firsthand experience of sleepless nights, the Sunbuster blackout blind was designed to combat the three main problems posed by traditional roller blinds.

The first and – they felt – most important of these was the danger posed by looped cords, which tragically claimed the lives of six children in the UK last year, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Made up of three layers and mainly neoprene, TJS Innovations’ Sunbuster blind can be raised without the use of a cord. It is stuck to the top of the window with a special band of gel which leaves no residue on the glass at all, and uses soft magnetic strips to hold it in a raised position, so there is no need to remove and reapply the blind daily, as can be the case with other products that ‘stick’ to the window, such as static sheets and infill blinds. It also offers superb blackout coverage, as there is no gap between the blind and the window for light to seep through – or heat to escape out from, meaning it offers optimum insulation too.

There is an additional safety element in that the window can still be easily opened with the Sunbuster blind attached, meaning an unobstructed escape route in the event of fire.

The Sunbuster blind was created in collaboration with the Glasgow School of Art, which tested the materials for heat, light and sound insulation after being paired up by Interface, the ‘knowledge connection’ for business, which has paired some of the country’s most forward-thinking design and textile companies with academics in a two-way pool of creative expertise. Clydebank-based TJS Innovations is a prime example of how effectively design products can be enhanced by the skillset of those within the higher education sector.

Gavin Cruickshank, manager director of TJS, explained: “We are continuing to work with Glasgow School of Art to further develop a new product line, which will directly benefit existing building owners and users, especially the 20 per cent of Scottish households facing fuel poverty, as well as making a contribution to national carbon reduction targets.”

The Sunbuster blind can block UV rays in the summer as well as keeping heat in during the winter, thereby reducing the need for heating or air conditioning.

TJS Innovations identified a further potential problem with traditional roller blinds besides dangerous cords and gaps around the edges – namely, the effort required to put them up. The Sunbuster blackout blind, on the other hand, can be fitted without tools and without the need to drill any holes; therefore as well as being easy to install it can also be used by students or tenants in rented accommodation where no DIY is permitted.

Described by Gavin as “different to anything else currently on sale”, the Sunbuster blind was recently Highly Commended at the John Logie Baird Awards for innovation.

For further information, visit Sunbuster