Awnings and Outdoor Blinds Across the Garden Route
Rain blowing into your braai area. West sun cooking your patio from three o’clock. Wind lifting everything that is not bolted down. If you live between Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay, you know exactly what we mean. We have been solving these problems since 2010.
We cover: George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness, Mossel Bay and Buffalo Bay.
What awnings and outdoor blinds work best on the Garden Route?
- Retractable folding-arm awnings for flexible sun control on north and west-facing patios
- Aluminium louvre awnings for permanent rain protection with adjustable light and airflow
- Canvas and wedge awnings for fixed shade over doorways, windows and restaurant frontages
- PVC and sheerweave outdoor blinds for drop-down wind and rain protection on open patios
- Sidetrack and Ziptrak outdoor blinds for sealed, wind-rated patio enclosures
Need expert advice? Call Duncan on 079 523 5407 or WhatsApp him directly.
AT A GLANCE
Retractable awnings for flexible shade. Louvre awnings for permanent rain control. Outdoor blinds for wind protection. All Somfy motorised, all rated for coastal conditions, all installed by our Garden Route team. Free site visit included.
How it changes your space
That patio you only use three months a year? It becomes the room you live in. Sunday lunch without watching the weather forecast. Morning coffee without the south-easter ruining it. Evening braais without rain soaking the cushions.
Rain Sorted
Louvre awnings close automatically when rain starts. Outdoor blinds drop down to seal the sides. Your braai area stays dry without you lifting a finger.
Wind Handled
Berg wind in George, south-easter along the coast. Sidetrack and Ziptrak blinds lock into channels and stay put. No flapping, no tearing, no replacing every season.
Sun Controlled
West-facing afternoon heat is the Garden Route’s biggest comfort problem. Retractable awnings extend when you need shade and retract to let winter sun through.
Value Added
A covered, usable outdoor area adds living space to your home without a building plan. Guests, family and buyers all see the same thing: a home that works.
“Most people call us about rain. But once the awning goes up, they realise they have gained an entire room they were not using.”
Duncan Kane, Custom Blinds, 20+ years on the Garden Route
Stop Rain Blowing Into Your Braai Area
This is the number one call we get on the Garden Route. Open patios with a roof overhead still get soaked when wind pushes rain sideways. The solution is almost always a combination: overhead cover plus side protection.
Overhead: A louvre awning with motorised blades that close flat when rain starts. Rain sensors do this automatically. When the sun comes out, the blades tilt open for airflow and dappled light. This is permanent, aluminium, and built to handle Garden Route conditions.
Sides:Outdoor blinds in PVC or sheerweave drop down to block wind-driven rain from the sides. Clear PVC keeps your view. Sheerweave filters light while blocking most rain. For full sealing, sidetrack or Ziptrak blinds lock into aluminium channels so wind cannot catch them.
The combination of louvre overhead and outdoor blinds on the sides creates a weatherproof outdoor room you can use twelve months a year.
Block West-Facing Afternoon Sun Without Losing Your View
The Garden Route faces roughly east to west along the coast. If your patio looks west or north-west, you know the problem: from about three o’clock, the sun drops low enough to get under any fixed roof. Shade from above does not help because the sun comes in from the side.
Retractable awnings are the best solution for this. A folding-arm awning extends out over the patio, angled to block low sun while keeping the view open below. When you do not need it, it retracts flush against the wall. Somfy motorised with a sun sensor means it extends automatically when UV hits a threshold.
Outdoor blinds work differently. A sheerweave outdoor blind on the west-facing side filters harsh light while preserving your view of the garden, lagoon or mountains. You still see out. The glare and heat are gone.
For homes with both overhead sun and side sun, the answer is often an awning above and a sheerweave blind on the west side. We assess the angle on site because every patio is different.
Retractable vs Louvre (Louver) Awnings: What Lasts in Coastal Wind?
This is the comparison most Garden Route homeowners need to make. Both are excellent. They solve different problems.
| Feature | Retractable Folding-Arm | Aluminium Louvre |
|---|---|---|
| Rain protection | Light rain only (fabric) | ✓ Full rain, auto-close blades |
| Wind rating | Retract in strong wind (sensor) | ✓ Fixed structure, high wind rated |
| Sun control | ✓ Full shade or full sun, your choice | ✓ Adjustable blade angle |
| View preservation | ✓ Open sides, unobstructed | Blade structure visible overhead |
| Motorised | ✓ Somfy standard | ✓ Somfy standard |
| Best for | Flexible sun shade, entertainment areas | Permanent cover, braai areas, rain regions |
| Coastal durability | ✓ Marine-grade fabric and arms | ✓ Powder-coated aluminium |
| Building plan required | No | Usually no (freestanding or wall-mount) |
On the Garden Route, louvre awnings are more popular for braai areas and outdoor kitchens because rain is the primary concern. Retractable awnings are preferred for pool decks, restaurant terraces and entertainment areas where flexibility matters more.
Read our full comparison: Retractable awning types compared.
Our Awning and Outdoor Blind Range
Retractable Folding-Arm Awnings
Somfy motorised with sun and wind sensors. Marine-grade fabric, powder-coated arms. Extends up to 4m. Ideal for patios, decks and restaurant terraces.
Aluminium Louvre Awnings
Motorised adjustable blades that close flat in rain and tilt open for light. Rain sensor standard. Powder-coated aluminium rated for coastal salt and wind.
Outdoor Blinds: PVC, Sheerweave and Sidetrack
Drop-down blinds for wind, rain and sun on open patio sides. Clear PVC for views, sheerweave for filtered light, sidetrack for full wind seal. Free nationwide delivery or Garden Route installation.
Canvas and Wedge Awnings
Fixed shade for doorways, windows and shopfronts. Canvas in dozens of colours and patterns. Wedge awnings for a clean, architectural look. Popular with restaurants and heritage homes.
Where We Work on the Garden Route
We are based in Knysna and cover the full Garden Route for on-site consultations, manufacturing and installation. Duncan drives to you for a free site assessment.
George
Berg wind capital of the Garden Route. We specify higher wind ratings and heavier-duty fixings for George properties. Awnings George | Outdoor Blinds George
Knysna
Lagoon views, salt air, south-easterly exposure. Our home base with the fastest response times. Awnings Knysna | Outdoor Blinds Knysna
Plettenberg Bay
Strong coastal winds and holiday home demand. We service Plett weekly for new builds and retrofits. Awnings Plett | Outdoor Blinds Plett
Sedgefield
Quiet village, fierce wind corridor between George and Knysna. Sidetrack blinds are popular here. Outdoor Blinds Sedgefield
Mossel Bay
Warmest town on the route with strong afternoon sun. Retractable awnings and sheerweave blinds are the go-to. Outdoor Blinds Mossel Bay
Wilderness and Buffalo Bay
Coastal forest properties with unique wind patterns. We assess every site individually because conditions vary street by street.
Free site visit anywhere on the Garden Route. Duncan assesses your patio, measures, recommends and quotes on the spot. Call 079 523 5407
Why Custom Blinds for Your Awning or Outdoor Blind?
Years on the Garden Route
Duncan has lived and worked on the coast since the early 2000s. He knows which products survive and which fail in salt air and berg wind.
Installations
Homes, restaurants, lodges and offices across the Garden Route. We have fitted awnings and outdoor blinds in every condition this coast throws up.
Somfy Expertise
Every motorised awning and blind we install uses Somfy motors. App control, voice integration, sun and wind sensors standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop rain blowing into my braai area?
Combine a louvre awning overhead with outdoor blinds on the exposed sides. The louvre blades close automatically in rain. PVC or sidetrack blinds seal the sides against wind-driven rain. This is the most common setup we install on the Garden Route.
What is the best awning for west-facing patios?
A retractable folding-arm awning with a Somfy sun sensor. It extends automatically when UV levels rise in the afternoon and retracts when the sun drops. For side sun, add a sheerweave outdoor blind on the west-facing opening.
Do retractable awnings handle Garden Route wind?
Yes, with a wind sensor. The Somfy wind sensor automatically retracts the awning when wind exceeds a safe threshold. For permanently exposed positions, a louvre awning is the better choice because it is a fixed aluminium structure.
What is the difference between a louvre awning and a retractable awning?
A louvre awning is a permanent aluminium structure with motorised blades that tilt for sun and close for rain. A retractable folding-arm awning is a fabric canopy that extends and retracts on demand. Louvres are better for rain. Retractables are better for flexibility. See our full comparison.
Can outdoor blinds be motorised?
Yes. We fit Somfy motors to outdoor blinds so they operate via app, remote or voice control. Sun and wind sensors can trigger automatic operation. See our motorised blinds guide.
Do I need a building plan for an awning?
Most awnings and outdoor blinds do not require a building plan because they are removable structures. Louvre awnings that are freestanding or wall-mounted typically fall outside building plan requirements, but check with your local municipality if you are unsure.
How much do Garden Route awnings cost?
Pricing depends on the type, size and automation level. Canvas wedge awnings start at the entry level. Retractable folding-arm awnings are mid-range. Louvre awnings are premium. We quote on site for free, so the best step is to book a visit. Call Duncan on 079 523 5407.
Do you service all Garden Route towns?
Yes. We are based in Knysna and cover George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness, Mossel Bay and Buffalo Bay. Duncan drives to you for a free site visit and quote.
Let Us Solve Your Patio Problem
Rain, wind or sun. Tell Duncan what is bothering you and he will recommend what actually works for your property.
