Outdoor Blind Selection
Things to consider when choosing the right type of outdoor blinds
There are many different types of outdoor blinds and awnings available to choose from. It is important to be well informed so that you can choose the most appropriate one. It's especially advisable to get local advice from someone in the area. Creative Shade Solutions has been setting up outdoor blinds in North Lakes, Redcliffe, Caboolture and Bribie Island for many years. We've done work from Brisbane North all the way up to the Sunshine Coast.
Some outdoor blinds or awnings are more suitable than others and the type of outdoor blind or awning you require will depend on the following factors:
- Location (e.g. on a second story window or balcony)
- Budget
- Structural fixing points
- Size of the area you are covering
Outdoor Blind Types
Slide Track System
Our Verandah Screen has been proved in thousands of installations in Australia and overseas over ten years and is protected by Patents and Registered Designs. It enables customers to create viable outdoor spaces in home and cafe situations at a fraction of the cost of alternatives. Components are Australian sourced and designed to last for years in our conditions. Few plastic parts and no wear marks means they keep looking good with minimal maintenance. Heavy Duty top tubes and bottom bars are supplied as standard for peace of mind and reduced fabric sag. With manual blinds the locks can be offset, and can be supplied double-sided for operation from both sides. Intermediate locking positions can be easily provided to prevent the blinds creeping up. The maximum size is 6600mm x 21meters.
Straight Drop
A functional, sleek, tight, and attractive blind that effortlessly transforms any area into a stylish outdoor living space, only to be neatly rolled up and hidden from view when not in use. Slidetrack Straight Drop (SD) blinds feature a vibrant range of UV-stabilized premium colored fabrics, offering 94% or 99% blockout options. These blinds are as strong as they are versatile and are perfect for enclosing carports, verandahs, pergolas, and patio areas. The fabric elegantly rolls around an anodized aluminum top tube and is equipped with a heavy-duty commercial-grade powder-coated aluminum bottom rail. Slidetrack SD blinds can span widths of up to 5,500mm and provide a vertical drop of up to 3,000mm, catering to almost every application. Our blinds are ingeniously installed within a unique Smoothline headbox, constructed from robust extruded aluminum with metal ends, available in a range of popular standard colors. The fabric effortlessly descends across the opening, and the bottom rail securely fastens to anchor points on the wall, floor, or posts. A user-friendly gear mechanism operates the blind, allowing for easy tensioning of the fabric using a crank handle. Stainless steel fittings are utilized for the lower fixing mounts, complete with adjusters to ensure even tensioning after installation.
Window Screens
Slidetrack Window Screen is a unique modern window shade solution for the Australian market. It enables customers to balance shade, visibility, and privacy for their homes in style at an affordable cost. With a huge range of external fabrics available, architects, designers, and homeowners can dress almost any type of window or door, including French doors, with preferred tones or colors in a full or partial block. This new product is Australian-made using aluminum and stainless steel componentry to create a durable and reliable system. It is designed to be long-lasting, with the fabric protected from fading when retracted, and with few plastic components. A minimalist design means that the screens are barely noticeable when retracted. For the first time, screens can be directly fitted on awning windows, moving out when the window is opened. Slidetrack Window Screen is an energy-efficient shading system keeping window glass cooler, thereby reducing heat radiation from the glass to inside the house. It also protects curtains, carpet, and furnishings from UV damage and fading, as well as the window. The maximum width of 3600mm and a height of 2400mm.
Rope and Pulley
The rope and pulley system is another economical and highly effective shade solution. The rope goes around a bottom bar and through a pulley system up to the top of the blind and you can manually pull the blinds up and down using the ropes. You can then latch the ropes when finished to a support on the side. You may use commercial grade zips to secure the blinds to the sides or use latches secured to the concrete as shown in this picture. A bottom bar is inserted in the bottom of the blind to add weight to the blind and keep it sturdy. They range from 1100mm up to 6000mm wide and up to a 3500mm drop. Rope and Pulley
Chain Guide
Chain Guide is a new alternative to the trusted autofixed guide/pivot arm awnings for domestic applications and is ideal for wide commercial windows too. The stylish, practical design offers a new solution to shading windows on contemporary and modern homes. Stainless steel fittings are available in natural or matt black finish. Inherently strong and with no swaged fittings required, Chain Guide is robust and straightforward to install and set. Spring-loaded manual operation is easy, and more tension for extra taut flat fabric is available with our 12v motor system or hand crank. The chain links enable the blind to be easily locked and tensioned at multiple positions using our manual centre-lock system to provide variable shade. Chain Guide is a unique solution developed in Australia, with patents and registered designs applying. The maximum width of 5500mm and a height of 3000mm.
Additional options
There are also some additional extras that you may require for your awning, depending on what it is you are trying to achieve. Some outdoor blinds come with some additional extras, these may include:
- Gear Box - The gearbox is used to allow the operator to wind the blind up and down. The winder and gearbox will help to keep the fabric tight.
- Hood - The purpose of the hood is to protect the fabric from the sun when it is rolled up, it also gives the blind a nicer appearance.
- Motor – Our motorized awnings and blinds are manufactured by Alpha and come with a 7-year warranty.
- Wind sensor - The wind sensor is another optional addition and will activate at certain wind speeds to ensure the outdoor blind or awning is not damaged during a storm.
- Valance - The valance is a 100mm strip of fabric sewn on the bottom of the blind, its main function is for appearance and it helps to disguise the stitching.
If you are looking for some ideas, then head on over to our gallery – Outdoor Blinds and Awnings Gallery. This gallery shows jobs which we have done in North Lakes, Redcliffe, Caboolture and Bribie Island. There are also images from jobs done in other parts of Brisbane North, all the way up to the Sunshine Coast.
Book a quote or call 0437 345 905 to discuss your options.