VELUX RSL Solar Powered Blind Unboxing, Review & Fitting Guide // Wire-Free Remote Operated Blind!

Unboxing, review and how to fit the VELUX Integra RSL Solar Powered Blind. I was really surprised at how straight forward it was to fit!
We bought this to help shade an area where we prepare food.. in the summer the sun beams directly onto that spot at mid-day, and it gets quite annoying. We chose a blind material that lets light through, but dissipates it.
Ours was bought from Vale Blinds (for £109), which was substantially cheaper than from VELUX direct, so take a look and see whether they have what you need if you're in the market for one of these blinds.
I only recommend products I buy & would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own.
#velux

[@blueturtle3203]

Installed 4 of these today. What a superbly engineered product. Quick and easy to install. Top marks to Velux.

[@Endpoint101]

Glad you like them! Yeah, I think they're really cleverly made & super-simple to install. If only the windows didn't start to leak after about 12 years ;)

[@benl8177]

Thanks for the video, so you dont need to make holes or anything?

[@Endpoint101]

It only requires you to screw the runners into the wooden frame of the window.. no holes need drilling. They've made it really straight forward to fit :)

[@darkknight17]

Hi mate, I'm about to install some velux windows. Can I please ask, does this really help with keeping the heat and sunlight out in the summer? I noticed Velux also do external shutters so not sure which is better.

[@Endpoint101]

Yes, it works really well.. you can choose fabrics with a different level of opacity too; mine is used to defuse really bright light coming through onto a kitchen counter where we prepare food, but you can get blackout blind/material which stops the light entirely.

[@mwaawm]

How much of the original window glass is occluded by the actual mechanism when the blind isnt in use? Looks like the mechanism is at least a couple of inches wide across the entire width of the window and am just wondering how this compares with their manual blinds

[@Endpoint101]

You probably lose about 10% of the window, but it doesn't feel that way. There's a bit less on the edges, and like you say, the mechanism is maybe about 10cm deep. I'm more than happy with it though; it's so handy in the summer to be able to hit the button (it's 3m above us in the kitchen, so manual blinds are pretty much out of the question).

[@neilb6473]

How reliable are the solar blinds? I've had bloc solar blinds and they fail after 2 years needing a new battery unit.

[@Endpoint101]

I've not had mine long enough to tell. Keeping my fingers crossed it'll last ages!

[@neilb6473]

I noticed the delay in the clip hitting the floor when you dropped it.are these high up maybe in a vaulted ceiling? Ours are, I'm interested in your ladder choice, can you share a link if it's a tall one?

[@Endpoint101]

Yeah it's something like 3m from the kitchen floor. The ladders are from CPC many years ago; I'll see if they still have them tomorrow.

[@Endpoint101]

Unfortunately I can't find them on CPC, so I guess they got discontinued. I also can't see anything equivalent on Amazon :(

[@neilb6473]

No problem. What direction does your window face? We have one facing north west with a bloc blind that doesn't charge well at all.

[@Endpoint101]

@@neilb6473 Ours is NNW, but seems to get enough for the amount of use the blind gets.. we tend to leave it open all winter, then it'll see occasional use in the summer.. generally to stop the sun hitting the food prep area at lunch time, or when I'm trying to do a YT video on the same counter top :)

[@MrDavidwgreen]

Is it possible to pair one controller with multiple window blinds? For example I'd need two blinds in the lounge and two in the dining area.

[@Endpoint101]

Yes, you just need to repeat the pairing process with each blind.

[@marklanghorn9220]

I have tried to fit a solar panel blind but the blind does not fully cover the window? Any tips?

[@Endpoint101]

Is it the official one from Velux, or something else?

[@marklanghorn9220]

@@Endpoint101 official blind from velux

[@Endpoint101]

Huh. So those strips of metal you fitted to the sides don't help? Feels like you might have the wrong size kit?

[@marklanghorn9220]

@@Endpoint101 no it is the correct size as took the measurements from the window

[@marklanghorn9220]

@@Endpoint101 the solar blind does not fully go down and stops towards the bottom

[@freeman6147]

It is a great shame that a significant portion of the window pane is obstructed by these fittings. Not good :-( Having paid for a specific-sized window it is not pleasant to have that space diminished. Surely the design could have used less of the glass and more of the frame to mount its housing?

[@Endpoint101]

You probably lose about 10% of the window, but it doesn't feel that way. There's a bit less on the edges, and the mechanism (and solar panel) is maybe about 10cm deep. I'm not sure you could alter the design much due to needing a solar panel big enough to charge the battery.

[@freeman6147]

@@Endpoint101 Thank you :-) Do you know if the fittings on the electric blinds that run directly off the mains any smaller?

[@Endpoint101]

I'm afraid I don't know. You may be able to find some specs and fitting guide on the Velux site which might help.

[@blueturtle3203]

Installed 4 of these for a customer. You barely notice any loss of light. You don't really notice that the blinds are there. Superb product.