Security Tips for Doors, Windows and More

3 Popular Outdoor Blind Materials and What to Look For When Weighing Your Options

8 August 2016 by Dustin Rose

Outdoor and interior blinds for sun and wind protection can be created from a variety of materials. These are usually lightweight and flexible materials selected on the basis of their ability to offer sun and wind protection, level of visibility required (or lack thereof) and colour choices among other factors. The following are three of the most commonly chosen blind materials, and what you should look for when choosing between them.

1. PVC blinds

PVC is an ideal choice if you're looking for complete wind, bug and rain protection with an unobstructed view that allows as much natural light into the space as you want. These blinds are designed to block out heat energy and harmful UV rays while allowing the sun into the space. You can choose between clear and tinted blinds which allow less light into the space. Darker-coloured PVC is not as aesthetically pleasing as lighter-coloured variations.

When choosing PVC blinds, look for track-guided blinds which leave no gap through which wind or insects can enter. The thicker the material the better its quality—thinner products are more prone to breaking and yellowing over time with prolonged elemental exposure. Spring-operated blinds are very simple to operate; you can easily move it to the height you want. PVC blinds require regular maintenance, but they are easily cleaned using soap and water.

2. Mesh fabric

Mesh fabric does not keep out all rain and wind—it offers 90-98 percent lockout depending on how tightly woven the fabric is. It is a popular choice if you want wind, rain and sun protection with varied levels of airflow through the blind materials. You can choose knitted mesh which is stretch-, fray-, sag- and tear-resistant given its high tensile strength. There are various UV-ray protection factors, from 30 percent to as high as 90 percent exclusion —this is determined by the density of the fabric knit.

Mesh blinds are designed from different synthetic fabrics, but your choice should also be mould-, mildew- and rot-resistant and able to withstand exposure to heat for long periods without degrading or fading. In fact, manufacturers typically offer 10-year-or-more warranty periods as surety of fabric quality.

3. Polyester

Polyester is a relatively new and affordable material in the market, introduced to curb the undesirable qualities of both canvas (heaviness, lack of water resistance etc.) and acrylic (limited colour and manufacturing options). Polyester blinds are resistant to abrasion and high-quality forms are also waterproof (do not allow water from one side to pass through to the other side). They are available in a variety of designs, patterns and colours, making them an ideal choice if you want lightweight, custom blinds. Like other materials, they have different ranges of UV-blocking capability. You can ask for nano-coated variations which are more resistant to dirt and water.

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