Outdoor blinds are an easy way to improve your outdoor space. The right blinds will protect you from the weather, shield you from the sun, and add privacy, increasing both the usability and comfort of your outdoor area.
An investment in high-quality blinds should last you for years, so it’s important you make the right choice. We recommend you use the following decision-making process:
Decision 1: How Are You Going To Use The Area?
This is the first and most important decision you will make since it impacts every other decision that follows it. Outdoor blinds are available in a wide variety of colours and configurations, and while any high-quality blind is going to add something, some may be more suitable for your purposes than others.
You may want to consider the following questions:
- What times of day are you going to use the space?
- Is the area focused on entertaining or day-to-day living?
- Which is more important: increasing privacy or preserving your view?
- Will the blinds be used to protect furniture from the sun?
The better your idea of how and why you want to use the space, the easier it will be to choose the right blinds.
Decision 2: Do You Want Light To Get Through Your Blinds?
Most high-quality outdoor blinds are constructed from a PVC mesh. This mesh allows some light in – but the amount does vary between different makes of blinds. There are also sunblock blinds available, which are specifically designed to block out the sun.
You may want to choose either sunblock blinds or standard blinds that let less light through if privacy is a key consideration or if you need to use the room at a time of day when the angle of the sun makes it uncomfortable, or if the area gets too hot.
It’s also worth noting that there is a difference between how much light a blind lets through and how much UV radiation it lets through. A good blind will cut UV down by up to 95% – protecting you and your furniture from sun damage – without necessarily blocking light.
Decision 3: What Colour Should You Choose?
Ultimately, this one is down to personal preference. Generally, you’re going to want to find something that suits any other furniture you have in the area.
A lighter blind gives a more relaxed feel and can make the area look larger, while a darker blind is a little more fun and might suit an area used for entertaining in the evenings. Darker blinds also have the advantage that they are less likely to show stains, which may be a bonus if you have small children!
One other consideration is that a more neutral tone, something that goes with anything, might be a better choice if you are considering selling the home in the near future. Going with something quirky might detract from the value of the house if the prospective buyers don’t like it and think they’ll want to replace them.
Decision 4: What Control Method?
Blinds are typically either manual or motorized, with those that are motorized having the option of having a remote control in addition to switches.
Most people prefer remote controls: they’re easy to use for people of all ages, protect your back by eliminating the need to bend down, and they allow you to operate your outside blinds from inside your home – ideal for getting the shutters down if the weather turns unexpectedly.
Decision 5: Which Supplier?
The supplier you choose is as important as finding the right type of blind; you rely on them for advice, installation and after-sales care. Look for experience, strong reviews on Google, and a firm that employs their own installers.
Once you’ve found a good supplier, you should expect them to come round to provide you with advice and a quote. This is where the previous decisions you made will come in handy – provide the company with your choices, and they’ll then be able to suggest the best option that meets your criteria.
Introducing NuStyle Shutters
NuStyle Shutters have more than 25 years’ and have helped more than 10,000 Perth homes enjoy the benefits of high-quality shutters and blinds. We’re committed to quality, offer competitive prices, and back our work up with an industry-leading warranty.
Contact us for more information or to book your free quote.
