Outdoor Blind Fabrics & Materials
Mesh for shade, PVC for weather, acrylic for awnings. Here's how we choose between them for Noosa homes — and the ranges we actually stock.
Three fabrics, three different jobs
Every outdoor blind and awning we install around Noosa is made from one of three materials, and each is good at something different. Choosing the right one matters more than the colour: it decides whether your deck stays cool, stays dry or keeps its view.
- Vistaweave mesh — for sun, heat and glare. Air and some of the view come through. Best on outdoor blinds that stay down on hot afternoons.
- Clear or tinted PVC — for wind and rain. A solid, see-through sheet that turns a deck into a sheltered room. Used on café blinds.
- Dickson Orchestra acrylic — for overhead shade on retractable awnings, with a soft canvas look and strong colour.
Matching the fabric to where you live
Around Noosa, location changes the answer. On the ocean side at Sunshine Beach, Castaways and Peregian, the morning sun is fierce and the afternoon north-easter is constant, so a tighter mesh on a wind-rated track system usually wins. Along the river and canals in Noosaville and Noosa Sound, the problem is glare bouncing off the water late in the day, and a darker mesh keeps the outlook while taking the sting out of it.
Up in Cooroy and Doonan it's more about summer heat and insects than salt. And if you want to sit outside on a wet winter night anywhere in the Shire, PVC is the only fabric that will keep you dry.
Built for coastal conditions
None of these fabrics is fragile, but all of them last longer with a bit of care. Salt crystals and fine sand act like sandpaper when a blind is rolled up dirty, and mould only takes hold where grime has been left to sit. We fit powder-coated channels and stainless fixings as standard, and we'll show you how to rinse your blinds when we hand them over. The pages for each fabric go into cleaning in more detail.
Vistaweave Mesh
Our go-to fabric for Noosa patios and balconies. Vistaweave comes in 95%, 98% and 100% UV block weaves, so you can trade a little view for more shade and privacy — and it still lets the sea breeze through.
Key Benefits:
- Cuts heat and glare
- Breeze still gets through
- Privacy during the day
Ideal For:
Ziptrak® Blinds, E-ZIP® Blinds, Auto Lock Awnings
Clear & Tinted PVC
A see-through barrier for wind and rain. Clear keeps the whole view; grey tint softens glare on west-facing decks.
Clear PVC
Grey Tinted PVCKey Benefits:
- Keeps wind and rain out
- View stays open
- Makes the deck usable in winter
Ideal For:
Café blinds, alfresco areas, exposed balconies
Premium Acrylic
Dickson Orchestra woven acrylic is the canvas we use on folding arm and pivot arm awnings. It has a soft, classic look, keeps its colour in strong sun and sheds a light shower.
Key Benefits:
- Colour that lasts
- Sheds light rain
- Soft canvas finish
Ideal For:
Folding Arm Awnings, Pivot Arm Awnings, Canopies
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fabric is best for an outdoor blind in Noosa?
For most patios and balconies we recommend Vistaweave mesh, because it cuts heat and glare while keeping the view and the breeze. If the main job is keeping rain and wind out, clear or tinted PVC is the better choice.
What fabric do you use on awnings?
Folding arm and pivot arm awnings are made with Dickson Orchestra woven acrylic, which holds its colour well in strong sun and sheds light rain. Vertical drop awnings can also be made in mesh.
Can I see fabric samples before I order?
Yes. We bring mesh, PVC and acrylic samples to the free measure and quote so you can see each one against your own house, in your own light.
How do I stop salt air damaging my blinds?
Rinse the fabric and the side channels with fresh water regularly — monthly is a good habit on the beachfront — and wash gently with mild soapy water when needed. Salt and grime left to build up do far more damage than the sun.
Related pages
Need help choosing the right fabric?
We bring every sample to your home, so you can see how each fabric looks in your own light before you decide.