Top 4 Outdoor Blind Ideas for Your Backyard

Backyards are the pride and joy of many Aussie homeowners. They provide great outdoor living spaces where you can kick back, relax and soak up some vitamin D or invite friends and family over for weekly BBQs.

However, when the sun is at its peak, the wind picks up or rain starts to pour, those outdoor plans can quickly come to a screeching halt. Here is where home additions like outdoor blinds step in to save the day.

 

What Are Outdoor Blinds?

Outdoor blinds, also known as outdoor shades, are a type of window covering designed to be fitted on the exterior of a home’s windows or around outside living spaces, such as patios, balconies, and backyards. You can find them in various colours, designs, styles and materials.

As oxymoronic as they may sound to someone whose goal is to enjoy their beautiful backyard view, outdoor blinds offer utility and flexibility all rolled into one solution. Some advantages of installing them in outside areas include:

• Defence Against Inclement Weather: Outdoor weather blinds shield your spaces outside your home from the elements. Their sturdy fabric and construction can withstand strong winds, rain and UV rays. In areas in Australia like Victoria, for example, where you can experience all four seasons in a day, having outdoor blinds can be a huge asset.
• Enhanced Privacy: If you’re fortunate enough to have plenty of space between you and your neighbours, this may not be an issue. But for those whose neighbours have a front-row seat to their every movement, installing outdoor blinds for the balcony or backyard may be just the thing to restore that much-needed sense of solitude and seclusion.
• Energy Savings: With your exterior blinds down, it’s estimated that you can reduce the heat entering your home by up to 45%. That’s because high-quality outdoor blinds for patios, backyards and balconies can effectively reflect sunlight and trap the heat outside. In turn, this keeps your home cooler on blisteringly hot days without resorting to air conditioning.
• Protection for Furnishings: When you’ve lined your pergola with beautiful furniture and fixtures, the last thing you want for them is to be warped or faded by dust, sand, moisture or intense sunlight or be infested by pesky insects — another problem that outdoor pergola blinds can solve.

 

Top Four Backyard Outdoor Blind Ideas

Whether you’re looking for shelter from the sun or privacy or just want to add an elegant touch to your home exterior, there are plenty of outdoor blind options to choose from. Here are our top five picks:

1. Café Blinds

Cafe blinds (also referred to as PVC or bistro blinds) are outdoor blinds that offer excellent, clear views without compromising protection. They’re designed to withstand water and sunlight exposure with no risk of cracking, peeling or discolouration. 

A favourite among homeowners for decades, cafe blinds remain a cost-effective option since they’re made from PVC plastic — a durable yet affordable material. 

Cafe blinds are available from Modern Group in clear and tinted designs. They’re a great way to turn your backyard or patio into an extra outdoor room for year-round use.

 

2. Outdoor Roller Blinds

Outdoor roller blinds are also popular for alfresco living and entertainment areas because they effortlessly adapt to different weather conditions. These shades, operated through a simple rope and pulley system, can be easily tailored to any height. Some can even be fastened to the floor, offering total privacy, shade and shelter from the elements.

Outdoor roller blinds are generally considered one of the most budget-friendly options out there. Additionally, their timeless design complements all property styles, whether modern or traditional.

 

3. Envirotex Blinds

A Modern Group exclusive, Envirotex blinds are renowned for their superior versatility. These blinds offer the perfect balance between visibility and weather protection, making them an ideal choice for outdoor living spaces.

Made with high-quality materials, our Envirotex blinds come in a range of attractive colours to complement any home style and can be custom made to fit any application. Along with our most popular option, Envirotex PLUS, these shades boast exceptional durability, functionality and ease of operation.

 

4. Motorised Blinds

If you want to rid yourself of those fiddly cords and manual winding, motorised blinds are the answer. While not a type of blind in and of itself, motorisation is an excellent feature that can be added to many different styles of outdoor blinds.

You can operate them with a wall switch or remote control. For this reason, they’re particularly handy for hard-to-reach windows or high-up spaces like skylights. They’re also incredibly convenient since you have total control over the amount of shade and privacy in your space at the touch of a button. 

 

Special Mention: Outdoor Louvre Shutters

Although not technically blinds, outdoor louvre shutters deserve to be featured on this list because they’re often used in the same applications. Their adjustable horizontal slats can be angled to let in air and light while combating outside elements, very much like outdoor blinds. 

External louvre shutters are available in various materials such as glass, wood, aluminium and metal. They can also be operated using a pulley system or a motor for added convenience. 

Additionally, outdoor louvre shutters are highly customisable and available in a range of designs, colours and folding options. 

 

Modern Group: Your Outdoor Blind Experts

As one of Australia’s leading manufacturers and installers of locally made outdoor blinds, our extensive product line is designed to offer the best balance of style, functionality and durability.

Speak to our Moderns Sales representative today to learn more about the types of blinds available and how we can help transform your outdoor area into a truly comfortable, relaxing retreat.