Why Facilities Managers Should Audit Blinds During Office Refurbishments

Office refurbishments give facilities managers the chance to improve the performance, comfort and long term efficiency of the workspace. HVAC systems, lighting, carpets and ceilings are almost always reviewed. Blinds, however, are often ignored even though they affect the building every day. Shading influences heat, glare, daylight, privacy and the professional appearance of a space. When blinds are not assessed during a refurbishment, problems are more likely to resurface once the project is complete.

Auditing blinds before a refurbishment is finalised helps facilities managers make smarter decisions, reduce unnecessary spend and create a more comfortable environment for tenants and staff. This simple step can prevent avoidable costs and improve the success of the overall project.

Blinds Are Working Assets That Wear Over Time

Blinds are used constantly throughout commercial buildings. They are opened, closed and adjusted many times a day. Over time the mechanisms become worn, the fabrics fade and the alignment starts to drift. In many cases the deterioration is gradual and goes unnoticed until the blind stops working properly.

Because of this slow decline, refurbishments are a natural point to assess the true condition of the shading system. Old blinds may hide operational issues that only appear later, once new furniture and layouts are in place. A blind audit allows facilities managers to identify which assets are still functioning well, which need repair and which have reached the end of their life.

Refurbishment Windows Create Real Cost Savings

Blind audits often reveal that many blinds do not need full replacement. Cleaning, retensioning or small mechanical repairs can extend their lifespan significantly. This avoids spending large sums unnecessarily and makes the refurbishment budget stretch further.

Ultrasonic cleaning, for example, can restore blinds to an almost new condition, removing years of dust and discolouration. Re tensioning roller blinds can improve ease of use and prevent early failure. Even blinds with cosmetic issues can be brought back into service at a fraction of the cost of replacement. By reviewing blinds at the right moment, facilities managers gain more control over refurbishment budgets and avoid reactive repairs later.

Ensuring Comfort in the New Office Layout

Modern refurbishments often change how natural light enters the workspace. New layouts, internal glazing, collaboration areas and meeting rooms all influence daylight patterns. A blind that performed well before the refurbishment may not provide the same benefits once the layout changes.

Auditing the blinds helps facilities managers understand how the new design will behave throughout the day. It becomes easier to identify areas where glare may affect screens, where heat may build up near glazing or where privacy is required for meeting rooms. Assessing blinds at this stage helps ensure the refurbished office delivers a consistent and comfortable environment for staff. Addressing these issues early reduces complaints once the space is occupied.

Energy Performance and Sustainability Benefits

Refurbishments are often used to help buildings reach better energy efficiency targets. Blinds have a direct impact on heating and cooling loads. Poor shading increases solar gain in summer and contributes to heat loss in winter. This places additional strain on HVAC systems and reduces the energy performance of the building.

A blind audit allows facilities managers to consider whether the existing blinds support the building’s sustainability goals. Upgrading to fabrics with improved solar control can reduce reliance on cooling. Improving insulation through better shading can lower heating costs. By making these decisions during the refurbishment, the building achieves better efficiency from the moment it reopens.

Preventing Post Refurbishment Maintenance Issues

Nothing is more frustrating than completing a refurbishment only to face a series of complaints about blinds that do not work properly. If blinds are not audited before the project ends, worn or unreliable units often fail shortly after tenants move back in. This results in unplanned call outs, costs and unnecessary disruption.

Auditing blinds during the refurbishment avoids this problem entirely. Issues such as damaged tracks, failing clutches, tangled cords or worn fabrics can be fixed when access is easiest. Once new partitions, ceilings and furniture are in place, the same repairs become more complex and expensive. A pre refurbishment audit prevents reactive maintenance and helps maintain positive relationships with tenants.

Supporting Compliance & Safety Standards

Refurbishments are also a good time to check that blinds meet current fire safety requirements. Many older blinds do not meet the fire retardant standards expected in commercial buildings today. This creates a compliance risk, especially in meeting rooms, escape routes and communal spaces.

By auditing blinds during the refurbishment, facilities managers can ensure the fabrics are fire retardant, the components are safe and any outdated products are replaced. This strengthens the building’s fire safety strategy and ensures compliance from day one of reoccupation.

Stronger Lifecycle Planning

An audit gives facilities managers a clear picture of the age, condition and expected lifespan of all blinds in the building. This allows for more structured lifecycle planning rather than dealing with failures as they happen. Knowing which areas will require replacement first helps with forecasting and budget preparation. It also makes it easier to introduce a planned maintenance strategy that extends the life of existing blinds and reduces long term costs.

A Smarter Approach to Successful Refurbishments

Blinds may not seem like the most important part of a refurbishment, but their impact on comfort, performance and long term cost makes them essential. Auditing blinds during an office refurbishment ensures that shading supports the new layout, meets compliance standards and performs well from day one.

Bright A Blind works closely with FM teams, contractors and asset managers to assess existing blinds, repair what can be saved and replace what needs updating. A simple audit before a refurbishment begins can protect budgets, improve tenant satisfaction and reduce ongoing maintenance problems.

For more information call 020 7700 6000 or send an enquiry.