Aluminium Blinds in South Africa: The Complete Comparison

25mm vs 50mm aluminium blinds: which slat width should you choose?

Slat width is the single most important decision when ordering aluminium blinds, and the choice depends on your window size, the room’s function, and the visual effect you want. Both widths use the same aluminium alloy and the same tilt-and-lift mechanism. The difference is practical and aesthetic.

25mm slats create a compact, understated profile. Because the slats sit closer together, they offer finer control over light angles and tighter privacy when closed. The narrower slat also produces a smaller stacking height when the blind is fully raised, which matters in shallow window recesses. These slats work best on windows up to about 1,200 mm wide and in rooms where the blind should feel discreet rather than decorative.

50mm slats create a bolder, more architectural look similar to plantation shutters at a fraction of the cost. Wider slats let more light through when tilted open, making them better for living areas where you want brightness without full exposure. They suit larger windows and sliding doors. Most 50mm aluminium blinds include a pelmet or valance as standard, giving a cleaner top finish than 25mm blinds, which typically ship without one.

How do aluminium blinds compare to wood, aluwood, and PVC?

Aluminium is one of four venetian blind materials available in South Africa. Each has strengths, but aluminium wins on durability, moisture resistance, and value. Here is an honest comparison based on what we see after thousands of installations.

Real wood (basswood) venetian blinds look beautiful — warm grain, rich finish, premium feel. But wood warps in humid rooms, fades under direct UV, and costs significantly more. We only recommend real wood venetians for dry, shaded rooms where the aesthetic is worth the maintenance trade-off. Never fit wood blinds in a bathroom or kitchen.

Aluwood is an aluminium slat with a printed woodgrain finish. You get the look of timber with the moisture resistance of aluminium. Aluwood is a strong middle ground — heavier and more tactile than plain aluminium, more durable than real wood. See our full venetian blinds comparison for a detailed breakdown of all materials. Read the full aluwood guide for a breakdown of slat sizes, finishes and coastal performance.

PVC (Plaswood) venetian blinds resist moisture well but are lighter and less rigid than aluminium. In wider sizes, PVC slats can bow under their own weight. They also yellow over time under UV exposure. PVC suits budget-conscious projects where durability expectations are lower.

What aluminium blind finishes are available in South Africa?

Modern aluminium blinds come in far more than basic silver. South African manufacturers like Aluvert and suppliers like Hunter Douglas offer five main finish categories, each suited to different interiors.

Matt finishes absorb light rather than reflecting it, producing a soft, contemporary look. Matt white and matt grey are the most popular choices for modern South African homes. They hide fingerprints better than gloss and pair well with neutral interiors.

Gloss finishes reflect light and create a vibrant, high-energy look. Best suited to small rooms where reflected light opens up the space, or commercial fitouts where a polished finish matches steel and glass surroundings.

Woodgrain finishes print a timber pattern onto the aluminium slat, giving you the warmth of wood with the durability of metal. If you want a natural aesthetic in a bathroom or kitchen where real wood would warp, woodgrain aluminium is the practical answer.

Brushed finishes add a subtle directional texture to the slat surface. The effect sits between matt and gloss — refined without being reflective. Brushed aluminium suits home offices and living rooms where understated elegance matters.

Perforated slats have tiny holes punched through the aluminium, allowing filtered light and partial visibility even when the blind is closed. Perforated aluminium works well in kitchens where you want glare reduction without total blockout, and in offices where screen visibility and daylight need to coexist.

Which rooms suit aluminium blinds best?

Aluminium blinds work in every room of a South African home, but they earn their reputation in spaces where other materials fail. Here is a room-by-room breakdown based on real installation experience.

Bathrooms

The number one room for aluminium blinds. Steam, splashing water, and humidity destroy wood blinds within two to three years. Aluminium handles daily shower steam without warping, peeling, or growing mould. A 25mm aluminium venetian in a bathroom gives you privacy when closed and full ventilation when tilted open — something a roller blind cannot do.

Kitchens

Cooking grease, steam, and west-facing afternoon sun make kitchens one of the hardest environments for window coverings. Aluminium slats wipe clean with a damp cloth. No special cleaning products. No removing the blind from the window. For kitchens, see also our guide to blinds for kitchens in South Africa.

Home offices

Screen glare is the quiet productivity killer in South African home offices, especially north- and west-facing rooms. Aluminium venetians let you tilt slats to redirect light away from your monitor without darkening the room entirely. Motorised aluminium blinds add automated scheduling — the slats adjust with the sun’s angle throughout the day.

Living rooms and bedrooms

50mm aluminium venetians in a living room create a shutter-like effect at a fraction of the cost. For bedrooms where light blocking matters more, consider pairing aluminium venetians with blockout roller blinds behind them — the venetian handles daytime control and the roller handles darkness at night.

Rental properties and Airbnb

Durability, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness make aluminium the default choice for rental properties. Tenants cannot easily damage aluminium slats, and replacement parts are readily available if needed. Aluminium also passes safety compliance more easily than corded fabric alternatives.

Are aluminium blinds suitable for coastal homes in South Africa?

Aluminium is one of the best blind materials for coastal environments in South Africa. The alloy used in venetian blind slats is non-corrosive and naturally resistant to salt air, which makes it a far better choice than steel, iron, or untreated wood components that rust or warp within months of installation along the Garden Route, KZN coast, or Cape coastline.

Custom Blinds has fitted aluminium venetians in seafront homes from Mossel Bay through Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and beyond since 2010. The slats, headrails, and brackets hold their finish and function year after year under conditions that destroy lesser materials. For coastal homes, we specifically recommend aluminium over all other venetian materials — including aluwood and PVC — because the base metal itself is corrosion-proof, not just coated.

How do you clean aluminium blinds?

Aluminium blinds are the easiest window covering to clean, which is one reason they remain South Africa’s most popular venetian blind choice. Regular maintenance takes five minutes per window.

Weekly: Close the blind flat and run a dry microfibre cloth or feather duster across the slats. Flip the slats and repeat on the other side. This removes surface dust before it builds up.

Monthly: Wipe each slat with a damp cloth and a small amount of mild detergent. For 25mm venetians, you can unclip the blind from its brackets, immerse it in a bathtub of warm soapy water, rinse, and hang to dry. This deep clean is not possible with wood or most fabric blinds.

Never use: abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or solvent-based products on aluminium slats. These damage the finish coating and void the warranty.

How to order aluminium blinds online in South Africa

Custom Blinds is the only South African company that combines an online shop, on-site consultation, in-house manufacturing, and professional installation under one roof. Ordering aluminium venetian blinds takes three steps.

Step 1 — Measure your windows. Decide whether you want an inside mount (fits within the window recess for a clean look) or outside mount (overlaps the frame for better light blocking). Inside mount requires at least 35 mm of top recess depth for the headrail. Use our measuring guide for step-by-step instructions.

Step 2 — Build your blind online. Visit the shop, choose 25mm or 50mm, enter your exact dimensions, select your colour and finish, and see the price instantly. No waiting for a quote.

Step 3 — Receive and fit. Your blind is manufactured to your measurements and delivered free to your door anywhere in South Africa. DIY installation takes 15 to 30 minutes per window. Garden Route clients can add professional installation by Duncan and team.