Zip Screens vs Cafe Blinds: Which Suits a Newcastle Alfresco?

If you want to use your alfresco in more than perfect weather, you'll usually end up choosing between zip screens and cafe blinds. Both close in an outdoor area. They do it very differently, and the difference shows up the first windy afternoon.

This guide walks through how each one works and how they compare on the things that matter around Newcastle and the lake: wind, rain, sun, privacy, looks and upkeep.

How does each one work?

Cafe blinds are clear or mesh PVC panels that roll down and fasten with straps, buckles or side clips. They're simple, and the clear versions keep the view. Most are raised and lowered by hand, then strapped down at the bottom and sides each time.

Zip screens run inside aluminium side channels from top to bottom. The edge of the fabric is held in the track the whole way down, so there's no gap at the sides and nothing to strap down. They run on a spring, a crank or a motor, and you can stop them at any height.

Which handles wind better?

This is the big one in Newcastle and around the lake. Cafe blinds are only held where they're strapped, so in a southerly they billow and flap, and the straps take the load. Over time that wears the eyelets and straps, and a gusty afternoon can mean going outside to tighten everything again.

Zip screens are held along their full height, so they stay tight and quiet. If your alfresco faces the wind, or you live somewhere exposed like Redhead or a waterfront block in Lake Macquarie, zip screens are the better choice.

Do they keep the rain out?

Both keep most rain out. Clear PVC cafe blinds are waterproof, although rain can blow in around the edges where the panels are only clipped.

Zip screens come in two main fabric types:

• Sunscreen mesh keeps out wind-driven rain well and dries quickly. A little moisture can pass through in heavy rain, but the space stays usable.
• Waterproof fabric gives you a fully sealed space when you want the area to stay dry in any weather.

Because the side tracks close the gaps, a zip screen does a better job of stopping sideways rain than a strapped panel.

What about sun and heat?

Zip screen sunscreen mesh blocks a large share of the sun's heat and glare while you still see out. Clear PVC lets the sun straight through and can heat the space up on a hot afternoon, a bit like sitting in a glasshouse.

For a west-facing alfresco, mesh zip screens make a real difference. You can drop them partway in the late afternoon to cut the low sun and keep the top open for airflow.

How do they compare on looks and privacy?

Zip screens give a clean, built-in look with slim tracks. When they're up, the fabric sits tucked away in a headbox and you barely notice it. From the street, the mesh gives daytime privacy: you see out, they don't see in.

Cafe blinds look more temporary, with straps and buckles on show. Clear PVC gives no privacy at all, which matters if your patio faces the neighbours or a busy street.

How much upkeep does each need?

PVC can yellow, cloud and crack over time in strong sun, and it scratches if you wipe it with the wrong cloth. Straps and clips also wear with daily use.

Zip screen fabric is made for Australian UV and needs a hose-down now and then. On motorised screens, it's worth keeping the tracks free of leaves and cobwebs so the fabric runs smoothly.

Is there a cost difference?

As a rough guide, cafe blinds usually cost less upfront than zip screens. The price of a zip screen depends on size, fabric and whether you choose spring, crank or motor operation. Many people find the extra is worth it for a screen that stays tight in the wind and lasts longer in the sun. The only way to know for your space is a measure and a fixed written quote.

Which should you choose?

• Choose zip screens if your area catches wind or western sun, you want privacy, or you want it to look like part of the house.
• Choose cafe blinds if the area is sheltered and you mainly want to keep light rain out on a budget.

If you mostly want shade rather than a closed-in room, a straight drop awning or a folding arm awning may also be worth a look.

How long does it take to get zip screens installed?

Zip screens are made to measure, so allow about 3 to 4 weeks from measure to install. If you want your alfresco ready for Christmas, orders cut off in early December, so it pays to book in early.

Kyle personally measures and installs every job, so the person who looks at your space is the same person who fits the screens.

Not sure which suits your space? CBI Blinds offers a free in-home measure across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the Hunter, and Port Stephens. Kyle brings samples to your home, looks at how your alfresco faces the weather and gives you a fixed written quote. Book your free in-home measure.