
Regardless of the weather condition, outdoor blinds can make your outdoor living space, verandah or patio a new area to entertain your family, friends, and guests. There are very many things you need to consider when looking for outdoor blinds that will satisfy your needs.
Even though cheap outdoor blinds may look like a good choice at first, it will be more expensive since you will have to replace the blinds within a short time because of poor quality. Is it really cost effective to buy a cheaper outdoor blind which will only last for 2 years instead of a blind that will last for 8 years?
As you can see the cheaper outdoor blinds may end up becoming 4 times more expensive than the longer lasting outdoor blinds.
Outdoor blinds are usually exposed to the sun and weather each and every day meaning that you have to buy one that looks great and can last for a long period of time and not only a few months.
Although saving a few dollars when buying an outdoor blind may look like an attractive option, it will cost you two or three times more in the long end as you will have to replace the cheap product within a short time.
Do you want to have a shade from the sun, keep out the weather or stop the insects from interrupting your party? Do you want a blind that can be operated with ease and one that is safe for your family? Make an informed decision by buying quality blinds instead of buying cheap ones.
1) Is the blind sealed within a track?
The photo of a channel blind is shown below. The blind material freely sits within the wide side channel, making it flap in the wind, or easily fall out of the channel. With a light push, the blind material becomes dislodged.
Compare this to track guided blinds which create a complete seal on the left and right side. This means that winds, rains, and insects will be prevented from passing through. Track guided blinds will not flap in the wind and don’t slip out of the track.
These type of outdoor blinds do not have to be raised when there is a slight sign of bad weather and you can just leave them down in a much higher wind. Channel guided blinds take up more space hence reducing your view outside and ‘closing in’ your entertaining area even when the blind is retracted.
2) Are there ropes, zips or a crank handle?
Traditional outdoor blinds use pullies or ropes to lower and raise the blind. They also have zips to secure the blind into place. The systems are highly susceptible to damage due to the fact that many parts of the blind are regularly exposed to the elements and the zips are jammed.
The rope system in most cases does not allow the blind to be properly retracted. Therefore, the material of the blind ‘bunches up’ making the blind look bad and also lead to long term damage. Crank blinds require you to spin a handle round and round for at least one minute per blind.
Retracting (raising) the blind is slower and takes more effort than lowering the blind. Crank systems usually have exposed componentry susceptible to weather and you will have to store the crank stick somewhere.
Our outdoor blinds are robust and can withstand years of tough weather conditions in Australia. They have a completely aluminum system and don’t need exposed zips, cumbersome crank handle or pullies. They will look good and operate well for many years longer than other products.
3) How easy is the blind to operate?
The operation of crank handles is cumbersome and time-consuming. You will also have to struggle to raise very many blinds with all the time and energy it takes. It is very important to do a thorough research and choose the right type of outdoor blinds that will perform as it should and last for a long period of time.