Clear & Tinted PVC
PVC turns an open deck into a sheltered outdoor room. It keeps out wind and rain while you still see straight through to the garden, the river or the street.
Clear and grey tinted PVC
We stock two PVC options. Clear PVC is the one most people picture: a see-through sheet that blocks wind and rain completely while leaving the outlook open. Grey tinted PVC does the same job with a slight smoky tint that reduces glare and makes bright afternoons easier on the eyes.
Both are used on track-guided blinds, where the edges of the sheet run inside aluminium channels, and on traditional strap-down café blinds. On a typical Noosa job we might use clear on the street or garden side of a deck and tinted on the side facing the river or the western sun.
How clear PVC handles Noosa summer heat
This is the question we're asked most. PVC doesn't breathe, so an alfresco area fully enclosed in clear PVC on a still January afternoon will warm up the way a closed car does. That's great on a cool August evening and less great at 2pm in summer.
The answer is to design for airflow. Track-guided blinds stop at any height, so you can lift the sunny side halfway and let the breeze through. Tinted PVC on the western side takes some of the heat and glare off. And many clients pair PVC with mesh: PVC where the weather comes from, mesh where the sun hits, so the space works in every season.
Wind, rain and salt
PVC is the only fabric we sell that keeps driving rain completely out, which is why it's so popular on exposed balconies from Sunshine Beach to Coolum. The trade-off is wind load: a solid sheet catches more wind than mesh, so we fit PVC on sturdy track systems with stainless fixings and recommend raising the blinds in strong gusts. If you're away a lot, a motor with a wind sensor will do it for you.
Cleaning PVC near the beach
Near the ocean, salt and fine sand settle on PVC within days. Rinse it with fresh water often, then wash with mild soapy water and a soft microfibre cloth. Avoid scouring pads, solvents, household glass sprays and pressure washers, which all scratch or cloud the surface. Most importantly, never roll up a blind that's covered in grit, because the roll grinds the dirt into the sheet. Our full guide explains the process: how to clean clear PVC café blinds.
Where we use PVC
PVC is the fabric behind our café and clear PVC blinds, and it can be fitted to most of the track-guided systems on our outdoor blinds page. For overhead shade rather than enclosure, see our awnings, which use acrylic canvas instead.
PVC options
Clear PVC
Grey Tinted PVCFrequently Asked Questions
Should I choose clear or tinted PVC?
Choose clear if the view is the priority and the area doesn't take much direct afternoon sun. Choose grey tinted for west-facing decks or anywhere glare off water is a problem. Many homes use clear on the shaded sides and tinted on the sunny one.
Does clear PVC protect against UV?
PVC reduces the UV coming through, but it isn't the best fabric for sun protection because it traps heat. If shade from the sun is your main goal, a mesh blind will keep the area cooler.
Is it OK to roll PVC blinds up on a cool morning?
Yes, but go gently. PVC stiffens slightly when it's cold, and forcing it up quickly can crease it. Noosa rarely gets cold enough for this to be an issue, but winter mornings in the hinterland are worth keeping in mind.
How long do clear PVC blinds stay clear?
That depends mostly on care. PVC that is rinsed regularly, washed only with mild soap and never rolled up gritty stays clear for years. Harsh cleaners and scratched surfaces are what make it go cloudy early.
Related pages
See clear and tinted PVC at your place
We'll bring both samples to your free measure and quote and show you how each looks against your view.