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MARKILUX 740 MARQUISOLETTE
Adaptable | Reliable | Solar Control | Comfortable Daylight
The markilux 740 is an electric external vertical blind and drop arm awning combined in one compact, elegant “marquisolette” system. It is designed to control solar heat gain and glare on windows while still allowing natural light, outward vision and even open windows with airflow.
For modern homes, offices and apartments, this makes the markilux 740 one of the most effective ways to keep interiors cooler and more comfortable without turning rooms into dark, artificially lit spaces. Simple electric operation and control via a smart app, remote handset or wall mounted switches mean that adjustments during the day are easy for the occupants.
What is a Marquisoletter
In the upper section of the markilux 740, the fabric runs vertically in guide tracks, working like a classic external vertical blind for maximum shading and privacy. In the lower section, the cover projects outwards on stable drop arms, creating a compact fabric canopy that reduces glare and heat while preserving your view out.
You can adjust how much of the window is shaded vertically and how much forms the projecting canopy, so the split between “blind” and “awning” can be set to match each façade and room. This makes the markilux 740 particularly suitable where you want:
- The option to open windows behind the blind and still have effective shading and privacy
- Strong solar heat and glare control
- Natural daylight and outside visibility at seated eye level
Why It Works So Well On UK Commercial Buildings
Control Heat Gain Before It Enters The Building
As an external system, the markilux 740 stops a large proportion of solar energy before it reaches the glass and enters the room. This is far more effective for cooling than internal blinds, helping to:
- Improve comfort for staff at workstations close to windows
- Reduce overheating near large glazed areas
- Support air‑conditioning systems by cutting peak load
Maintain Daylight, Views And Open Windows
With the lower section in drop‑arm mode, the blind forms a canopy that shades the glass while leaving a clear outward view from seated positions and allowing plenty of natural light in. Windows can remain open behind the blind so rooms benefit from natural ventilation as well as shading.
This is increasingly important for:
- Apartments, hotels and student accommodation where ventilation and privacy must be balanced
- Offices where people want to see outside and avoid feeling “shut in”
- Education and healthcare buildings where natural light and views can aid wellbeing
Compact, Architectural Appearance
The slim, square cassette (approx. 95 x 95 mm) and guide tracks sit neatly on modern façades and curtain walling. Facade colour options include a wide range of standard markilux frame finishes and optional special RAL colours to match windows, cladding and branding.
Key Features At A Glance
- Hybrid design: Combination of external vertical blind and drop‑arm awning in one unit, with adjustable split between the two modes.
- Maximum size: Up to 3000 mm width and 3000 mm drop (9 m² area per unit).
- Cassette: Compact, fully enclosed 95 x 95 mm cassette protects fabric and mechanism.
- Cover guidance: Side guide tracks with gas‑piston drop arms for optimum fabric tension.
- Operation: Electric motor as standard; options for hard‑wired, radio‑controlled and smart‑home integration.
- Wind performance: Wind resistance class 2 (up to Beaufort 5, approx. 28–37 km/h) thanks to automatic locking arms and guided fabric.
- Fabrics: Full markilux collection including visutex, sunsilk/sunvas, transolair (perforated) and perla FR (flame‑retardant, weather‑resistant) for different transparency and performance levels.
- Fixing: Face fix or reveal fix for flexibility with different window types and façade constructions.
Comparison With Common Shading Options
| Solution | Solar heat control | Daylight & outward view | Window open with shade | Typical use cases |
| Internal roller blind | Medium | Often reduced when down | Yes | Basic glare control, retrofit |
| Full external vertical blind | High | View more restricted | Yes | Maximum shading, privacy |
| Standard external drop arm awning | Medium–high | Good at lower levels | Yes | Smaller windows, residential |
| Markilux 740 marquisolette | High | Good – clear view at seated level | Yes – natural ventilation | Offices, schools, healthcare, apartments with large glazing |
This is where the markilux 740 sits: you get solar performance close to a full external vertical blind, but with better daylight and view comfort than many internal or fully vertical systems.
Applications
The markilux 740 is ideal for:
- Offices and commercial buildings – especially deep‑plan spaces with large south or west‑facing glazing where staff sit near windows and work at screens.
- Schools, colleges and nurseries – classrooms and circulation spaces where you need to cut glare and heat without leaving rooms in darkness.
- Healthcare and care settings – waiting areas and wards where occupants benefit from daylight and views, but overheating and glare must be controlled.
- Apartments, hotels and student accommodation – façades where external shading improves comfort and energy use while also preserving privacy.
- Domestic applications – for anyone who wants an eco friendly but technically advanced method of controlling the internal temperature of their home. Particularly useful on larger houses and apartments with multiple windows.
Multiple units can be installed side by side on larger façades to create continuous solar protection with a consistent, architectural appearance.
Mounting And Appearance
The cassette of the markilux 740 can be:
- Face‑fixed directly onto the wall or façade, or
- Reveal‑fixed into the window opening.
Both methods use slim side guide tracks that keep the fabric aligned and stable. When retracted, the blind and arms are fully concealed within the cassette, protecting the cover from weather and extending its service life.
Fabric Options And Visual Design
As a made‑to‑measure system, the markilux 740 can be specified with over 250 fabrics from the markilux collection, including:
- High‑performance solar control fabrics for maximum heat and glare reduction
- Perforated “screen” materials (e.g. transolair) that maintain outward view while shading
- Flame‑retardant fabrics (perla FR) for certain commercial applications
- Special colours to coordinate with corporate branding and façade design
Different fabric types and colours allow you to fine‑tune transparency, privacy and solar performance for each elevation.
Operation And Controls
The markilux 740 is supplied with an electric motor as standard, giving smooth, effortless operation at the touch of a button. This is particularly valuable on upper‑floor windows or where several blinds on a façade need to be operated together.
Control options include:
- Hard‑wired wall switches – simple, robust control for single or grouped blinds
- Radio‑controlled motors – handheld or wall‑mounted remotes, with the option to group multiple blinds on one handset
- Smart‑home integration – control via smartphone or tablet, plus the ability to create automatic shading scenes, link to sun and wind sensors, and improve energy efficiency by responding to conditions throughout the day
With motorised control, it’s easy to move from full vertical shading in the hottest part of the day to a more open, drop‑arm canopy position when you want more light and view.
Performance And Durability
The markilux 740 is engineered for secure operation in typical UK conditions:
- Wind resistance class 2 means safe use up to Beaufort 5 (approx. 28–37 km/h), thanks to guided fabric and gas piston drop arms with locking mechanism to prevent upward movement.
- High quality materials (aluminium cassette and tracks, stainless steel gas springs, UV stable fabrics) ensure long service life with minimal maintenance.
- The fully enclosed cassette keeps the cover clean when not in use, reducing wear and preserving appearance.
Sizes And Configurations
- Maximum width: 3000 mm
- Maximum drop: 3000 mm
- Maximum area per unit: 9 m²
These dimensions suit most single window and door openings, and several units can be installed in a run to cover larger façades. Different combinations of vertical shading height and drop‑arm projection can be set during installation to match the building and required outlook.
Why Specify The Markilux 740 With Samson
Samson have been specifying and installing high quality external shading systems for UK homes and commercial buildings for many years, working with leading European manufacturers including markilux. For the markilux 740, we can:
- Advise on fabric selection, frame colour and fixing method for your specific façade
- Help you balance solar control, view, privacy and ventilation requirements
- Coordinate multiple blinds and control systems on larger commercial projects
Next Steps
If you are considering external shading for offices, schools, healthcare buildings or apartments, and want to control heat and glare without losing daylight and views, the markilux 740 marquisolette is an excellent option.
You can contact us with plans, elevations or photos of your building and we’ll provide guidance, indicative pricing and specification suggestions tailored to your windows and orientation.
