A smart investment for any home or business, outdoor blinds not only provide shade and shelter and increase living and entertaining space, they can take a property up a level in terms of aesthetic appeal and add a great deal of value. Nu Style Shutters are Perth’s leading experts in the manufacture, supply and installation of outdoor blinds, and as an important addition to your home or business, it’s important to do your research before committing. Here’s five things to consider to help you choose the right outdoor blinds for your property.
Your Needs
There are so many different types of outdoor blinds on the market and they all have their own unique characteristics and perform differently, to refine your outdoor blind options, ask yourself what you want out of your blinds? Each backyard or outdoor space is entirely different, so there’s no one size fits all solution.
- Do you want to increase your living and entertaining space?
- Do you want to increase privacy in your backyard?
- Do you want protection from wind and rain as well as from the harsh sun?
- Do you want to shade from gentle morning sun or harsher afternoon sun?
- Do you want coverage to be fixed solution, or retractable to provide coverage when and how you choose?
- What kind of operation would you prefer? Rope, wire, channel guided blinds, zip track guided blinds, crank handle or automated?
Once you have a clear idea of what you wish your outdoor blinds to achieve, you can look at the different styles available on the market.
The Climate
Consider the general climate where you live and if your home subjected to extreme weather conditions as that might affect the best blind solution for your home. While it’s important to shade your outdoor areas from harsh UV rays during the summer months, it’s equally as important to shelter your spaces from wind and rain during winter to maximise the usability of your outdoor area. Luckily, you don’t need to choose one option over another, there are many outdoor blind options that cater to all seasons, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors all year round.
Ease of Operation
Outdoor blinds should be easy to operate. There will be times when you will want to open up your blinds to take advantage of the sun’s light and warmth and times when bad weather strikes suddenly and you need to close the blinds quickly for protection. Manually working with ropes and pulleys can be frustrating and difficult but if you don’t open and close them regularly, manual operation might be a great solution. Many options can be motorised, meaning all you need to do is touch a button and they retract or extend. This is great for people with limited strength, and also provides the added benefit of being child-safe as there are no cords involved.
Fabric Types
Clear PVC will provide excellent protection from the wind and rain while also maintaining a view of your backyard and allowing natural light to enter the space. However, this can also trap heat and make the space hot, which is not ideal for a warm climate that is prone to storms such as tropical areas. A great alternative is mesh, which is a versatile material that is available in several different grades that can block out the effects of the sun in summer and keep out cold winds and rain in winter. The type of fabric you choose will largely depend on the climate conditions.
Warranty
A warranty on your outdoor blinds is a must for peace of mind and should be provided and clearly outlined on completion of installation. While warranties can vary depending on the quality of the product you choose, a reputable supplier will always back their quality so be wary of any manufacturer or suppler who will not provide a clear guarantee of their work.
Are you interested in outdoor blinds? Do you need more information to help you choose the best solution for your home? Get in touch with the Nu Style team on 1300 798 776 or contact us online today – our experts will happily answer all your questions, and assist you in finding the best product for your situation.