Different types of outdoor blinds for New Zealand homes

High-quality outdoor blinds will make your outdoor area more functional and comfortable. They are great for hosting friends and family or simply relaxing on your own after a long hard day. While their main purpose is to provide shade and shelter, they also heavily influence the look of outdoor living spaces due to their size and prominence. Different types of outdoor blinds do all these things in different ways giving you a great range of options to consider.

Cafe blinds, or bistro blinds, are a popular choice for the hospitality sector, hence the name, but are also commonly used in residential homes across the country. They are typically made from clear PVC or a strong mesh fabric material that has UV protection and can easily be installed on a patio or pergola. They are an excellent style of outdoor blinds providing great protection against the wind, rain and sun while still allowing natural light to come through. They are also very versatile and can be raised or lowered so you can adjust the amount of light and airflow you want in your space.

For a stylish and aesthetically pleasing choice, external Venetian blinds should be near the top of your list. These traditional blinds, dating back to at least the 18th Century, are made of horizontal slats that can be tilted and pulled up or down to control the amount of light and ventilation that enters an area. They can be made from various materials including wood, faux wood, metal or plastic with plenty of colours and styles to consider. This allows you to customise your choice in a specific way that matches the surroundings of your home. External Venetian blinds can be found in both manually operated and motorised versions.

Related article: Caring for your outdoor blinds — wind protection and more

Speaking of motorised versions, motorised outdoor blinds are a legitimate type of outdoor blinds in themselves that absolutely deserve their own mention in this guide. Sometimes called electric outdoor blinds, they are now one of the most popular types of blinds in New Zealand thanks to the convenience and functionality they offer, negating the need for manual adjustment. Traditionally, they have been operated by remote control but now more and more of them incorporate the use of smart technology giving you the ability to adjust them via mobile app. These apps often come with other features including programmable options, making for an incredibly modern shading and shelter system.

While some might say plantation shutters aren’t technically outdoor blinds, we’ve included them in this list as they function in essentially the same way and are a popular choice in New Zealand. Plantation shutters are a very stylish choice, consisting of adjustable horizontal slats or louvres. They are typically more durable and heavy-duty than most outdoor blinds, constructed into an outdoor living area with robust materials. They are often seen as a long-term solution as a result which has in some ways given them a timeless look and aura. The vast range of colours and finishes available means you’ll have no trouble styling it to suit your space.

Outdoor blinds are often defined or classified by the type of material they are made out of. PVC outdoor blinds are a great example of this, frequently preferred by homeowners in New Zealand thanks to the many beneficial qualities they offer. One of the main benefits is their durability as a long-lasting material that can withstand the elements and will not succumb to the impact of moisture and rot or any damage from insects. They’re also great for privacy while reducing the amount of glare and heat in your outdoor living area. There is a huge range of colours and styles available and with little ongoing maintenance required, they make an excellent choice and are often one of the more affordable options too.

Related article: Shedding light on outdoor blinds — costs, installation and more

Outdoor roller blinds feature a flexible yet durable screen made from quality weather-resistant materials, operated by a rolling mechanism. This can be an automated motorised system or a manual one, providing a flexible and convenient way to adjust the amount of shade and shelter you need. The screen can often also be secured to a bottom rail to prevent it from moving in the wind. External roller blinds are an incredibly sleek solution that won’t dominate space for those after a solution with less visual interference. They are also found in a wide range of colours so you can easily coordinate their look to fit seamlessly into your outdoor area.

Ziptrak is an Australian company that created a unique track-guided design for their blinds that operate without the use of ropes, cords, zips or wires. Side-mounted tracks instead move a flexible screen up and down to provide respite from the elements in quite an ingenious way. This has seen them become incredibly popular in New Zealand with many drawn to their sleek and sophisticated appearance and convenient operation. They can be customised to fit into spaces up to 6 metres wide and 3.5 metres tall and can even be architecturally integrated when working with skilled builders. An exceptional choice that will improve your comfort and enhance your outdoor living space.

Now that the different types of outdoor blinds have been described in detail, it's time to bring that knowledge together with a process that will get you to the perfect choice for your home. The steps below will help you do exactly that.

1. Understand your needs and local weather conditions

It's important to understand both your needs and the local weather conditions from the very outset as these factors will influence your choice more than anything else. Is sun protection your main priority? Is it wind and rain? Is it privacy or are aesthetics more important?

Answering these questions, many of which relate to the local weather, will put you on the right path.

2. Focus on the right style and material

Once you've passed the first step, you're then in a position to start considering the different types of external blinds (described above) as well as the different material options. This might mean clear PVC blinds for wind and rain protection, wooden Venetian blinds for warm aesthetics, roller blinds for versatility — the choices will start to become self-evident.

3. Decide on the mode of operation and features

The mode of operation is essentially a choice between two options, manual and automatic, however, additional features can also influence this. These features include things like smart home integration which allows you to control your outdoor blinds remotely from your phone via an app. Some products offer other features too like sophisticated detection for strong winds and programmable settings which are often a good way to distinguish one product from the next.

4. Carefully consider the aesthetics

It's surprising how many homeowners don't think about styling for outdoor blinds before it's too late, which is why it's an important thing to highlight and consider as part of this process. Ideally, the look of your outdoor blinds should complement the outdoor living space where it will be featured. Looking at the architectural style of your home is a good place to start as a guide. Contemporary and modern style homes tend to suit sleek, minimalist style blinds while older and traditional style homes are sometimes more suited to natural materials and more ornate designs.

5. Check warranties and go for experience

Last but not least, looking at the warranties of each product is important for understanding what is and what is not included in the cover. This will give you confidence and peace of mind about your purchase which is always nice to have. Also, choosing reputable outdoor blind suppliers (like those on ArchiPro) will do the same and they also often take care of installation which is vital for the durability and longevity of the product.

Related article: Choosing the perfect outdoor shade solution for your home

As you can see, there are great options when it comes to the different types of outdoor blinds you can choose for your home. Now that you have the basics covered, you can decide for yourself which type might work best for you as a shade and shelter solution that will keep you protected from all the elements in style.

(This article was updated on the 3rd December 2024)

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