Outdoor Blinds & Awnings Buying Guide: Beat Perth's Summer Heat in Style

Perth's alfresco lifestyle is one of the best things about living here — but without the right shade, an outdoor entertaining area can be unusable for half the year, either baking in direct summer sun or exposed to wind and rain through winter. Outdoor blinds and awnings solve this, extending your living space into a room you can genuinely use year-round. This guide breaks down the main options so you can choose the right shade solution for your patio, alfresco or entertaining area.

1. Why Perth Alfresco Areas Need Proper Shade

Perth records some of the highest average sunshine hours of any Australian capital, combined with strong UV and, in exposed suburbs, the reliable afternoon gusts of the Fremantle Doctor sea breeze. Outdoor furnishings need to do more than just block sun — they need to handle wind loading, resist salt air corrosion near the coast, and shed the occasional heavy winter downpour without sagging or staining. That combination is exactly what purpose-built outdoor blinds and awnings are engineered for, unlike standard shade cloth or umbrellas.

A well-shaded alfresco area extends outdoor living through Perth's long summer.

2. Outdoor Blinds: Slide Track vs Ziptrack

Slide track blinds run along a simple track system and are a cost-effective way to enclose a patio or alfresco, offering good protection from sun and light rain. For homes in more exposed or windy locations, Ziptrack blinds take this a step further with a fully sealed zip-style track on both edges of the fabric, dramatically improving wind resistance and weatherproofing — which is why they've become the go-to choice for coastal Perth suburbs and open, breezy blocks.

Ziptrack blinds use a sealed edge system for superior wind and weather resistance.

3. Roof-to-Fence Blinds: Fully Enclosed Outdoor Rooms

For homeowners wanting to turn an open patio into an all-weather outdoor room, roof-to-fence blinds enclose the space from ceiling to floor, blocking wind-driven rain and glare while still allowing the area to feel open when the blinds are raised. It's a popular upgrade for entertaining areas used for dining, or as a semi-permanent extension to the home's living space.

4. Awnings: Retractable vs Fixed

Retractable awnings extend out from the house to provide instant shade over a deck, window or entertaining area, and retract back when not needed — useful if you want the flexibility to let winter sun in or avoid wind loading during a storm. Fixed awnings are a permanent, low-maintenance alternative that provide consistent shade without any moving parts, well suited to areas that need shade all year round, such as a north-facing kitchen window.

5. Security Roller Shutters for Outdoor Areas

Where security is as important as shade, security roller shutters do double duty — providing robust protection while also delivering strong thermal insulation and noise reduction, a genuine bonus for west-facing outdoor rooms or homes near busy roads. They're a heavier-duty option than fabric blinds, better suited to garages, workshops and windows requiring extra protection.

Retractable awnings give you the flexibility to shade or open up your outdoor area on demand.

6. Choosing the Right Combination for Your Home

Most Perth alfresco projects use more than one product working together — for example, Ziptrack blinds on the exposed west side of a patio, paired with a retractable awning over a window or secondary sitting area. When planning your outdoor space, consider:

• Sun direction: west and north-facing areas need the strongest UV and heat protection.
• Wind exposure: coastal and open blocks benefit most from Ziptrack or roof-to-fence enclosures.
• How the space is used: full-time outdoor dining areas often justify roof-to-fence enclosure, while occasional-use spaces may only need a retractable awning.
• Budget staging: you can start with one product (like a single awning) and add outdoor blinds later as budget allows.

For a full overview of every option available, visit our outdoor blinds and awnings pages, or read our guide to choosing the right indoor blinds if you're planning both indoor and outdoor window furnishings together.

7. Maintenance & Weather Durability

Outdoor products need more upkeep than indoor blinds simply because they're exposed to the elements. A quick hose-down or wipe with mild soapy water every few months keeps PVC and mesh fabrics free of dust, pollen and salt residue, while tracks and motors benefit from an annual check to keep them running smoothly. Choosing marine-grade or UV-stabilised components upfront — which is standard on quality outdoor blinds and awnings — makes a significant difference to how well the product holds up over a Perth summer after summer.

Frequently Asked Questions