As the weather slowly warms and the days lengthen through spring, our lifestyles will naturally begin to gravitate outdoors. We’ll open up the sliding doors to our patios, balconies and decks, embracing once again the indoor-outdoor flow of our living spaces. We’ll break out the barbeques and serve dinners on the back deck. Or, we may venture outdoors early to watch the sunrise over a morning coffee.
Alfresco dining is back on the table, and now is the perfect time to give those tired outdoor spaces a spring makeover to maximise their functionality and comfort in time for summer. The right blinds or awnings can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your outdoor living areas.
You can create shade, filter the sunlight, or opt for a complete block-out solution to stem the flow of light entirely. You can gain protection from the wind and rain, and keep those pesky insects at bay. You can also create privacy or enhance the security of your outdoor spaces when required.
How do you know which styles of outdoor blinds or awnings will be best for your space? Here is an overview of the most popular styles of outdoor weather protection, and the best applications of each.
Zipscreens are modern, minimalistic and seamless. A perfect complement to the mild south-east Queensland climate, they provide for harmonious connections between indoor and outdoor living spaces. Zipscreens are insect and bug proof, and ideal for decks, patios and balconies.
Secured on either side by zip channels, they remain taut and won’t billow or flap in the breeze. They can also be fully motorised for ease of use. Depending on your preferred functionality, zipscreens may be customised in a range of fabric options. Coloured shade-cloth or block-out fabrics filter the sunlight and provide privacy. Alternatively, industrial-strength PVC creates a completely clear and weatherproof option.
As stylish as they are functional, our zipscreens all come with a five-year warranty and professional installation.
Blinds are another great option, offering both privacy and weather protection for alfresco living spaces. Perfect for enclosing pergolas, verandas, balconies and even cafes, balcony blinds come in a wide range of fabrics and styles.
There are cord and pulley blinds, which are manually cord operated and roll up from the bottom. For small to medium-sized spaces, multi-stop channel blinds are a great option, as are spring roll-up blinds. Both of these styles are manually operated.
For larger spaces, the best options include straight drop, heavy-duty side channel, or wire-guide blinds. The latter two options can be motorised, and all operate to a maximum panel width of between 5800—6000mm. Finally, zip-up café blinds provide weather protection in outdoor dining spaces.
Out extensive range of balcony blinds can be further customised through your choice of fabrics and materials, from sunscreen to clear PVC to acrylic canvas.
Where your alfresco living spaces extend beyond the coverage of a permanent roof, folding arm awnings provide an excellent shading solution. Perfect for pools as well as alfresco patios and entertainment areas, these awnings can be retracted when not in use, or when you want to allow extra sunlight into your outdoor space.
Folding arm awnings can cover an area up to 6.5 metres wide with a 4-metre projection from the side of the building on which they are mounted. They can be manually operated, or motorised for an extra touch of convenience.
All our awnings feature a five-year warranty and are professionally installed by our qualified tradespeople.
Roller shutters provide total light-blocking functionality, and corresponding insulation benefits to protect your home’s interiors – when closed – from harsh sunlight and summer heat. They offer additional benefits of privacy, security and protection from the elements.
Robust, sleek and stylish, roller shutters are a versatile and highly functional option for enhancing your outdoor living spaces, particularly in areas where privacy and security are important.
Our Australian-made roller shutters are available in a range of colours with your choice of motorised or manual operation. They are equally well suited to residential and commercial applications and come with a five-year warranty.
Are you ready to give your outdoor living spaces a fresh spring make-over? We have over 20 years’ experience in tailoring outdoor shade and weather-protection solutions to suit the south-east Queensland climate.
Call us on 1300 077 125 or get in touch online to book in a time for your free measure and quote. One of our friendly consultants will be happy to talk you through the best options for maximising your outdoor living space.
You’ve got your new awnings in place, now it’s time to make your outdoor space look even more beautiful with the right lighting to enhance it.
Whether you’re entertaining guests, sharing a meal, or simply relaxing, there are a number of ways people make the most of their outdoor areas and the way you illuminate your patio can make a huge impact - not just on practical visibility after the sun sets, but also the overall ambience of your outdoor area.
There are many creative ideas and options out there for your patio or deck, of which we’ve selected the best for you to peruse and choose from, according to the mood you want to create.
Wall mounted lights
One of the most popular options, wall mounted lights create a clean and amply lit outdoor space. There are a multitude of designs available out there to choose from, including lantern-like designs for an old timey feel.
Perfect for: a no-fuss patio lighting solution.
Not so ideal for: patios without appropriately placed mountable walls.
Sky lighting
Another simple and popular option, sky lighting acts like traditional indoor lighting by illuminating an area from above. Depending on the kind of awning you have installed and roof type, these can be setup fairly easily within your ceiling, and create a really bright space during the day.
Perfect for: creating a brightly lit patio during the day time.
Not so ideal for: intimate lighting motifs, night time lighting or patios with folding arm awnings.
Ceiling mounted and hanging pendant lighting
Why invest in an entire lighting system? A well placed hanging pendant light (or series of them) over your outdoor table or seating area may be all you need to create a well lit space. This also allows you to take advantage of the bright light coming from inside your home, letting the light naturally flood your patio space.
Perfect for: minimalist, inexpensive, low-effort lighting.
Not so ideal for: Folding arm awning covered patios.
Garden lights, including solar lights
Garden lights are cost-effective and sleek, especially the solar powered kind. Dotted around the yard, they do a great job creating an ambient mood whilst also highlighting your feature areas.
Perfect for: showing off your garden or yard, tight budgets.
Not so ideal for: creating well large well lit areas, permanent lighting solutions.
Chandeliers
It doesn’t get much more opulent than a chandelier. Although they provoke thoughts of superfluous dining halls, a chandelier doesn’t have to be too lavish or even expensive, and can make a great centerpiece to bring your patio look together.
Perfect for: luxurious and intimate-feeling spaces or vintages style warmth.
Not so ideal for: Folding arm awning covered patios.
Table lighting
Candles, lanterns and the like set an intimate and inviting atmosphere. Usually they work better in combination with other options, as on their own they might not be the strongest source of light.
Perfect for: cosy and intimate settings.
Not so ideal for: creating a brightly lit space.
Fairy lights
You’ll find more and more fairy lights adorning weddings and other celebrations, so why not bring it to your backyard? Their distinctly playful and homely vibe is super simple to install, too.
Perfect for: making a large impact with minimal effort, winding in around fence palings.
Not so ideal for: patios with complex designs or a lot of space.
LED floor lighting & uplights
Install LED strips on the bottom of your outdoor furniture or around the edges and steps of your timber patio to create a futuristic, dynamic look that will definitely have your guests talking.
Perfect for: a distinctive look that provides plenty of light, steps, shelf and bench seating.
Not so ideal for: budget restrictions.
For dozens of outdoor patio lighting ideas to showcase your beautiful new space with awnings or outdoor blinds, view our Factory Direct Shutters, Awnings and Blinds Pintrest boards now!
