Which Blinds Are Best? Roller, Venetian, Honeycomb & Vertical Compared
Every room asks a different question. The bedroom wants darkness. The kitchen needs something that handles steam. The living room wants light without losing privacy. The right blind answers each question differently, and choosing well means years of comfort instead of a costly replacement.
Which blinds are best for South African homes?
- Roller blinds are the most popular choice in South Africa, available in blockout, sheer, and double-roller configurations from brands like Somfy and Coulisse.
- Aluminium and plaswood venetians are the most durable options for coastal and humid rooms, though aluminium can show signs of rust with wear over time.
- Honeycomb (cellular) blinds reduce heat loss by up to 40%, making them ideal for energy-conscious South African homes.
- Vertical blinds remain the best solution for sliding doors and very wide openings.
- Double roller blinds (sheer plus blockout in one bracket) are the fastest-growing trend in South African homes.
- Custom Blinds recommends choosing by room function and climate rather than appearance alone, with over 8,000 installations across the Garden Route since 2010.
Need expert advice? Call Duncan on 079 523 5407
TLDR
There is no single “best” blind. Roller blinds suit most rooms. Aluminium or plaswood venetians handle coastal moisture. Honeycomb blinds save energy. Verticals work for wide openings. Match the blind to the room, the climate, and how you actually live, and it will last for years. Get it wrong and you will be replacing it in under three.
How the Right Blinds Feel
You wake to soft, filtered light instead of a harsh glare. The living room stays cool on a 38-degree afternoon. The bathroom blind still works perfectly after five years of steam and salt air. That is what choosing well actually gives you.
Restful Sleep
Blockout rollers and honeycomb blinds create genuine darkness, even with Garden Route summer sunrises at 5am.
Cool Comfort
The right blind controls heat before it enters the room. North-facing windows need UV-rated materials, not just a pretty fabric.
Easy Privacy
Tilt venetian slats for daylight without a street view. Layer sheer rollers for soft light and full privacy during the day.
Low Maintenance
Plaswood wipes clean with a damp cloth. Aluminium handles salt air for decades. Choose the right material and you stop worrying about upkeep.
“After 8,000-plus installations across the Garden Route, the question is never which blind is best. It is which blind is best for your room, your climate, and how you actually use the space. Timber looks beautiful but it is not as forgiving in a humid bathroom as plaswood or aluminium. Material plus environment equals the real answer.”
Duncan, Custom Blinds — 15 years installing across the Garden Route
Why Custom Blinds
Tested Across 8,000+ South African Installations
Every recommendation in this guide comes from real installations in real South African conditions. Coastal humidity, extreme UV, north-facing heat, salt-laden wind. We have tested every material in every setting and we know what lasts.
Installations Since 2010
Across Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, and the wider Garden Route.
Years of Testing
Every material recommendation is backed by years of real-world performance data.
Complete Service
The only SA company offering online ordering, on-site consultation, in-house manufacturing, and professional installation.
Roller Blinds: The Most Popular Choice in South Africa
Roller blinds outsell every other type in South Africa, and for good reason. They are clean, modern, affordable, and fit almost any window. Custom Blinds supplies roller blinds from leading brands including Somfy, Hunter Douglas, and Coulisse.
The real choice within rollers is fabric opacity. Blockout roller blinds eliminate light entirely, making them the standard for bedrooms, nurseries, and media rooms. Sheer or sunscreen fabrics (typically 3–5% openness) filter UV while keeping the view and providing daytime privacy.
The fastest-growing trend is the double roller, which pairs a sheer and blockout in a single bracket. Sheer during the day, blockout at night, one headrail. For bedrooms that also serve as home offices, it is the most practical solution available.
No-drill roller blinds have become extremely popular for the rental market and heritage buildings where drilling into frames is not an option.
Roller Blind Pricing (South Africa 2025–2026)
Standard roller blinds range from R250 to R800+ per window depending on size and fabric. Blockout fabrics typically cost 10–15% more than sheer equivalents. Double rollers cost roughly 60–80% more than a single roller, but replace the need for two separate installations. All prices are for self-install via the Custom Blinds online store.
Venetian Blinds: Best for Light Control and Coastal Durability
No blind gives you the same degree of light control as a venetian. Tilt the slats up for diffused daylight. Angle them down for privacy. Close them fully for near-darkness. That adjustability is why venetians remain the choice for living rooms, studies, and any room where light conditions change throughout the day.
The critical decision with venetians is material, not style. In South African coastal conditions, this choice determines whether the blind lasts three years or twenty. For a detailed look at venetian slat materials and privacy performance, see our venetian blinds privacy guide.
Venetian Material Comparison for SA Conditions
| Material | UV Resistance | Humidity | Salt Air | Maintenance | Coastal Lifespan | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Excellent | Excellent | Good (can rust with wear) | Wipe clean | Long-lasting | R350–R1,100 |
| Aluwood | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Wipe clean | Long-lasting | R500–R1,500 |
| Plaswood | UV 500+ | Excellent | Excellent | Wash | Long-lasting | From R699 |
| Basswood | Moderate | Low | Low | Polish | Less durable at coast | R900–R6,000+ |
| Bamboo | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Dust | Durable | R500–R2,000 |
South Africa has among the world’s highest UV levels. Any venetian on a north-facing window or in a coastal home benefits from a UV-stabilised or non-porous material. Plaswood with its UV 500+ rating handles the toughest conditions. Aluminium is the most affordable option with strong all-round performance, though it can develop surface rust with wear and tear over time. Bamboo holds up well at the coast. Basswood is less durable in humid or salty environments but looks beautiful inland.
Note: Prices shown are for self-install orders through the Custom Blinds online store. We cannot speak for other suppliers. Consultation and professional installation are quoted separately.
Honeycomb Blinds: Best for Insulation and Energy Saving
Honeycomb (cellular) blinds trap air in a pocket structure that acts as a thermal barrier. Independent testing shows they can reduce heat loss through windows by up to 40%. In a country where electricity costs keep climbing, that insulation pays for itself.
They are available in sheer, light-filtering, and full blockout options. The blockout honeycomb is one of the best bedroom blinds available, combining darkness with temperature regulation. For a deeper look at energy performance, see our guide to honeycomb blinds and energy saving.
Honeycomb Pricing
Expect R500 to R1,500+ per window depending on size and opacity. The premium over a standard roller is typically 50–80%, but the energy saving and noise reduction make them a strong investment for bedrooms, nurseries, and any room where comfort matters most. Prices are for self-install via the Custom Blinds online store.
Vertical Blinds: Best for Sliding Doors and Wide Windows
Vertical blinds remain the most practical solution for sliding doors, stacking doors, and windows wider than two metres. The slats draw to one side or split in the middle, giving full access to the opening when you need it.
Available in fabric, PVC, and aluminium with 90mm or 127mm slat widths. Fabric verticals suit living areas. PVC handles moisture. Aluminium offers the longest service life. For other options that work with sliding doors, see our shutters vs blinds comparison.
Which Blind Is Best for Each Room?
The most useful way to choose is by room function, not by how the blind looks on a website. Each room has different demands around light, moisture, privacy, and heat.
| Room | Best Blind Type | Why | Second Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | Blockout roller or blockout honeycomb | Total darkness, temperature control | Double roller (sheer for daytime) |
| Living room | Venetian (plaswood or aluwood) or sheer roller | Adjustable light, privacy, aesthetics | Double roller |
| Kitchen | Aluminium venetian or plaswood venetian | Handles steam, grease, easy to wipe | Sheer roller (wipeable fabric) |
| Bathroom | Plaswood venetian or aluminium venetian | Non-porous, handles moisture well | Roller (moisture-rated fabric) |
| Nursery | Blockout honeycomb | Total darkness + insulation + no cords | Blockout roller (cordless) |
| Home office | Double roller or sheer roller | Glare control without losing light | Venetian (tilt for screen glare) |
| Sliding doors | Vertical blinds | Full access to opening, practical for daily use | Sheer roller (extra wide) |
| Rental property | No-drill roller blinds | No drilling, easy removal, tenant-friendly | Aluminium venetian |
Best Blinds for Garden Route and Coastal Homes
Coastal conditions along the Garden Route, from Mossel Bay through to Plettenberg Bay, are harder on window coverings than most people expect. Salt air, humidity, and UV all take their toll over time. Choosing the right material for each room makes the difference between blinds that age well and blinds that need early replacement.
For coastal kitchens and bathrooms, plaswood or aluminium venetians are the safest choices. Aluminium performs well overall, though it can develop surface rust with prolonged exposure. For bedrooms and living areas where you want a timber look, aluwood gives you the aesthetic without the moisture risk. Bamboo holds up well at the coast and adds a natural texture. For outdoor areas, purpose-built outdoor blinds are engineered to handle direct weather exposure.
If you are inland, basswood venetians are a beautiful option with good longevity. Just keep them away from steam-heavy rooms regardless of location.
Roller vs Venetian: The Most Common Comparison
Roller Blinds
- Clean, minimal profile suits modern interiors
- Choose blockout for total darkness or sheer for filtered light
- Double rollers combine both in one bracket
- No-drill options available for rentals
- From R250 per window
- Less adjustable — fabric is either up or down
Venetian Blinds
- Superior light control — tilt slats to any angle
- Classic aesthetic in multiple slat widths (16mm to 63mm)
- Aluminium and plaswood handle coastal conditions
- 50mm slats are the most popular width in South Africa
- From R350 per window
- Require more cleaning than rollers (individual slats)
Neither is “better” in absolute terms. Rollers suit bedrooms, media rooms, and anyone who wants simplicity. Venetians suit living rooms, studies, and anyone who adjusts light throughout the day. Many homes use both. For detailed cleaning advice, see our guide to cleaning blinds in South Africa.
Value
What You Actually Get for the Price
Aluminium Venetians
R350–R1,100 per window. Most affordable route to strong coastal performance. Can show surface rust over time with wear.
Roller Blinds
R250–R800+ per window. Most affordable route to modern window coverings. Wide fabric range.
Honeycomb
R500–R1,500+ per window. Premium insulation pays back through lower energy costs.
Plaswood Venetians
From R699 per window. Best UV rating (500+). Washable. Built for the toughest conditions.
For a full pricing breakdown across all blind types, see our complete guide to blinds pricing in South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which blinds are best for South African homes?
Roller blinds are the most popular type in South Africa. For coastal areas, aluminium or plaswood venetians offer the best durability. For energy saving, honeycomb blinds reduce heat loss by up to 40%. The best blind depends on the room, the climate, and how you use the space. Browse all indoor blind types.
Are roller blinds or venetian blinds better?
Roller blinds are simpler and more affordable, making them ideal for bedrooms and modern interiors. Venetian blinds offer superior light control through adjustable slats, better suited to living rooms and studies. Many South African homes use both types in different rooms for the best result.
Which blinds are best for coastal homes on the Garden Route?
Aluminium and plaswood venetians are strong choices for Garden Route coastal homes. Both handle salt air, humidity, and UV well. Aluminium can develop surface rust over time with wear. Bamboo holds up well at the coast. Basswood is less durable in humid coastal conditions. Custom Blinds has tested every material across Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Mossel Bay.
What blinds are best for bedrooms?
Blockout roller blinds or blockout honeycomb blinds provide total light exclusion for bedrooms. Honeycomb blinds add insulation and temperature control. For bedrooms that double as home offices, a double roller blind (sheer for daytime, blockout for sleeping) is the most practical option.
Which blinds last longest in South Africa?
Plaswood and aluwood venetian blinds tend to last the longest in South African conditions, including coastal areas. Aluminium is durable but can develop surface rust with wear. Roller blinds with UV-rated fabrics have a good lifespan when maintained. Basswood is less durable at the coast but performs well inland. Bamboo holds up better at the coast than many expect.
Are honeycomb blinds worth the extra cost?
Honeycomb blinds cost 50–80% more than standard rollers but reduce heat loss by up to 40%. In South African homes where electricity costs keep rising, the energy saving repays the premium over time. They also reduce outside noise. Worth it for bedrooms, nurseries, and any room where comfort matters most.
What are the best blinds for kitchens and bathrooms?
Non-porous materials work best in wet rooms. Plaswood venetians, aluminium venetians, and aluwood venetians all handle steam and humidity well. Basswood is less suited to rooms with regular moisture. Order moisture-resistant blinds online.
Not Sure Which Blind Suits Your Room?
Tell us about your windows and how you use the space. We will recommend the right blind for your home.
Prices quoted are for self-install orders through the Custom Blinds online store and may vary depending on dimensions and fabric choice. We cannot speak for other suppliers. Consultation and professional installation are quoted separately. All recommendations are based on 15+ years of installation experience across the Garden Route. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings — Garden Route & Online.
