If you are lucky enough to have space in your yard for a patio area suitable for BBQs and entertaining guests, you will naturally want to make the most of it. This means choosing the right furniture and fixtures to create an area that is both comfortable and secure. Outdoor blinds are an important part of this.
What Are Outdoor Blinds?
When most people think of curtains and blinds, they automatically think of the indoors. This is because curtains and blinds are mostly used to control the amount of light that is coming into our homes. However, both curtains and blinds also have outdoor uses as well as indoor uses. In fact, for many properties, once you start to think about your curtains and blinds as potential outdoor fixtures, a whole new world of home design will reveal itself to you.
Given that one of Australia’s defining features is its beautiful climate, most Australian homes will offer some kind of outdoor space, and Australians are generally eager to make the most of what is available. Outdoor blinds might sound like an oxymoronic term, but outdoor blinds are exactly what they sound like – they are just like the blinds inside your home except they are designed specifically to withstand the outdoor elements.
Whereas the blinds in your home are mostly designed to control the amount of light coming in, outdoor blinds are generally to protect you from the intense sun. As well as providing cover from the sun, outdoor blinds can also improve the privacy and the security of your outdoor spaces.
For example, Roller Smart is an Australian business that sells roller shutters for homes and businesses. These robust roller shutters add an extra layer of security to any property, but they aren’t suitable for an outdoor patio. However, Roller Smart also sells outdoor roller blinds that are perfect for enhancing the comfort and security of your patio area.
Define Your Needs
Before you can start looking for the right outdoor blinds, you need to know what you are looking for and what you are using the blinds for. There is always going to be a trade-off between security and style. The most secure shutters and outdoor blinds will be strong and resilient but will necessarily not be able to let much light through. On the other hand, there are outdoor blinds that look very stylish but only provide a minimal amount of security.
Of course, these aren’t the only considerations that people have to consider when they’re deciding on the right type of blinds. For example, another use for blinds, especially in a climate like Australia’s, is to help regulate temperature. Blinds can be used to reflect sunlight away in the mornings, keeping the interior cooler throughout the day, and providing some much-needed shade.
Research The Different Options Available
Once you start looking at outdoor blinds, you will soon discover that there is a huge number for you to choose from. Not only are there a wealth of manufacturers and suppliers for you to look through, but there are also numerous different materials that can be used in the construction, and there are some options that are highly specialised and designed for very specific use-cases. Once you have clearly defined your needs and you know what properties you are looking for in your outdoor blinds, searching for the right ones become considerably easier.
It is prudent to draw up a shortlist of possibilities that you can then whittle down to just one or two main options. Approaching things this way will prevent you from diving in on the first opportunity that comes your way, and will encourage you to consider more options.
Choose Something Easy To Operate
You might think that blinds are blinds and there can’t be that much variation in how they actually work. The aesthetic and practical designs of outdoor blinds can change quite dramatically, but the underlying mechanisms should they more or less the same, right? Actually, there are a variety of different mechanisms used in outdoor blinds. While most blinds are operated simply and in the traditional way, there are now blinds that can be controlled from a smartphone app.
You don’t want to have to wrestle with your outdoor blinds every time you want to put them up or down. It is, therefore, a good idea to check what kind of mechanism the blinds use before you commit to purchasing them. There are important safety considerations here, as well as practical considerations. For example, if the blinds are operated via a pull cord, then this is something you need to keep young children away from.
The right outdoor blinds can both enhance the look and feel of your patio while also adding a layer of security. There are many more options available than many people realize so clearly defining what you want and need early on will make the search much easier. Don’t just jump on the first outdoor blinds you see, take the time to look at everything available.