4 Popular Outdoor Blind Types for Aussie Homes

Australia enjoys a warm and sunny climate nearly all year round. Because of this great weather, outdoor living spaces like patios, decks and verandas are common features in many Aussie homes. 

However, with all that sunshine sometimes comes intense heat, harsh UV rays and pesky insects, putting a damper on all the outdoor fun you had planned. And if weather conditions take a turn for the worse, you’ll also have gusty winds and heavy rain to contend with. 

For these reasons, many homeowners choose to install outdoor blinds on the exterior of their houses. Such window treatments effectively combat all of these elements while elevating the look and functionality of your space.

On that note, here are six kinds of outdoor blinds popular in Australian homes:

1. Café Blinds

Cáfé blinds are also known as bistro, patio, alfresco, or half-window blinds. Despite what their name suggests, you don’t need to own a café or restaurant to have these blinds installed. You can use them in homes, offices or, indeed, anywhere.

They have a versatile and very simple design, whereby they can be moved up or down from the top or bottom of a window. This means they can easily cover half a window and leave the rest open. 

As a result, café blinds are perfect for situations where you want to protect your privacy while still letting plenty of light into your space. For example, if you have large windows facing your neighbour’s house, a public road or a busy walkway, you can use café blinds on the lower half to deter lookie-loos and maintain your privacy while leaving the top half open to let in natural light. 

Café blinds are usually made from PVC for a durable, water-resistant and easy-to-clean window treatment, but you can also find them in other materials like canvas and sunscreen fabric.

2. Roller Blinds

Outdoor roller blinds are one of Australia’s most common window coverings. They feature a flexible yet sturdy screen made from high-quality, weather-resistant materials, typically PVC, mesh or canvas, and a rolling mechanism so you can raise or lower them as you please. 

This mechanism can be manual, which means you’ll have to pull a cord or chain to roll the blinds up or down, or motorised, with a remote control or switch for easy operation. 

To secure your roller blinds and keep them in place, many suppliers will install a bottom rail or guide track so they don’t flap and billow in the wind. 

Roller blinds are an incredibly sleek option with an understated design that doesn’t interfere with or obstruct your view of the outdoors. They also come in many colours and finishes so that you can coordinate their look with your home’s exterior. For those seeking versatile light control, day and night blinds provide the perfect solution, seamlessly transitioning between privacy and natural light.

3. Motorised Blinds

Although you can get motorised versions of many outdoor blinds, they’re also an option in their own right. Motorised blinds come with a small, battery-powered electric motor that lifts and lowers them on command, negating the need to use a crank, pull cord, chain or any manual adjustment.

Traditionally, you could only control motorised blinds with a switch or remote, but nowadays, there are also smart motorised blinds that you can operate with a smartphone app or voice command through a virtual assistant like Google Home or Amazon Alexa. 

Aside from protection from the elements and ease of use, motorised outdoor blinds also provide other advantages to homeowners, including: 

• Greater safety for children and pets as they eliminate the risk of entanglement with cords or chains. 

• Enhanced security since they can be set on a timer or operated remotely, making it look like someone is at home even when you’re away.

• Energy efficiency by allowing you to regulate the temperature in your home at any time of the day and reduce the need for air conditioning or heating. 

4. Plantation Shutters

Okay, so technically, plantation shutters are not blinds, but because they’re a popular window treatment for outdoor spaces in Australia that shares many similarities with blinds, they’ve earned a spot on this list. 

Plantation shutters are a stylish, practical addition to any outdoor living area. They consist of adjustable louvres or horizontal slats that you can tilt and angle to control the amount of light and air you let into your space. You can also open or close them entirely for total exposure or privacy.

They’re typically a lot more durable and heavy-duty than your average outdoor blind. Crafted from robust materials like aluminium, PVC or timber, they’re built to withstand extreme weather conditions and provide long-lasting protection for your outdoor space. 

For their strength, longevity and timeless aesthetic, plantation shutters are often viewed as a more premium option, but they’re well worth the investment.

Choose the Best Blinds for Your Outdoor Space

When it comes to external window furnishings like outdoor blinds, there is not one option that most homeowners will gravitate towards. The style, material and design you choose will depend on many things, like where you live, your budget, taste and the needs of your specific outdoor area.

But whichever blinds you choose, know that they’re an excellent addition that’ll enhance the look and practicality of your outdoor living area all year round. So, go ahead and pick the best blinds for your space and enjoy the great outdoors in comfort and style.