Blinds vs Curtains in South Africa: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Some mornings the light wakes you gently. Other mornings it floods the room and you are squinting before your feet hit the floor. What hangs at your window shapes how every room feels. Here is what 20 years of installing shade and privacy solutions across the Garden Route has taught us about which works better, where, and why.
Should I choose blinds or curtains for my South African home?
- Blinds give you adjustable light control, slat by slat. Curtains are open or closed with limited middle ground.
- In coastal areas like the Garden Route, blinds made from PVC, aluminium or faux wood resist salt air and humidity far better than fabric curtains.
- Curtains offer better thermal insulation and noise absorption, especially with thermal-backed or triple-lined fabric.
- Blinds typically cost less per window in South Africa, from R340 for a small aluminium venetian or R539 for a sheer roller, versus R1,000 or more for custom curtains.
- Blinds last 10 to 20 years in SA conditions. Curtains in coastal homes typically need replacing every 3 to 7 years due to fading, damp and mould, and require regular removal for washing in between.
- The best approach for many South African homes is layering: a sheer curtain paired with a blockout blind gives you light, privacy, insulation and style.
- Custom Blinds recommends choosing based on your room, your climate and how you actually live, not trends.
Need expert advice? Call Duncan on 079 523 5407
TLDR
Blinds outperform curtains in South African coastal and high-UV conditions on durability, maintenance and light control. Curtains win on thermal insulation and noise reduction. For most Garden Route and South African homes, a layered approach, sheer curtains with blockout blinds, gives you the best of both. Choose by room, not by trend.
How it feels
You want mornings where the light behaves. Afternoons where the heat stays outside. Evenings where the street disappears and your home feels private, quiet and yours.
Controlled light
Tilt a venetian slat and sunlight lands where you want it. Not on the television. Not in your eyes. Just where it works.
Quiet evenings
Lined curtains absorb street noise. The room feels heavier, softer, more enclosed. Some rooms need exactly that.
Easy maintenance
A damp cloth across an aluminium venetian. Two minutes. No unhooking, no hauling heavy fabric to the machine, no waiting for it to dry, no re-hanging.
Built for the coast
Salt air corrodes. Humidity breeds mould, and damp fabric holds it against the wall where you breathe it in. PVC and aluminium handle both. Fabric does not.
“I have been installing blinds, shutters and awnings in Garden Route homes for 20 years. I do not install curtains, but I see what happens to them. Fabric fades, collects mould, needs replacing. The blinds we fitted a decade ago still work. When clients ask me blinds or curtains, I ask them which room. A bedroom might benefit from curtains for warmth. But for anything coastal, anything with moisture, anything that needs to last, blinds win.”
Duncan, Custom Blinds — 20 years installing across the Garden Route
Why homeowners trust us
Tested across 8,000+ installations since 2010
Custom Blinds is the only South African company that handles online ordering, on-site consultation, in-house manufacturing and professional installation under one roof. We see what works and what fails, across every room, every climate zone and every budget on the Garden Route.
Installations
Homes fitted since 2010 across the Garden Route
Years
Experience with blinds, shutters and awnings in South African conditions
Roof
Online shop, consultation, manufacturing and installation. All in-house.
Blinds vs Curtains: The Full Comparison
This is not about which is prettier. It is about which performs better for your specific needs. Here is how blinds and curtains compare across the factors that matter most in South African homes.
| Factor | Blinds | Curtains |
|---|---|---|
| Light control | ✓ Adjustable slats give precise, variable control | Open or closed. Blackout lining helps, but no mid-range |
| Maintenance | ✓ Wipe clean in minutes. No removal needed | Take down, wash or dry clean, re-hang. Heavy work, several times a year. Collects dust and damp between cleans |
| Coastal performance | ✓ PVC, aluminium, Plaswood resist salt, moisture, UV | ✗ Fabric absorbs damp, vulnerable to mould (including black mould in the Cape), salt damage and fading |
| Thermal insulation | Moderate. Honeycomb blinds perform best | ✓ Thermal-backed curtains trap air, insulate well |
| Noise reduction | Minimal acoustic benefit | ✓ Fabric absorbs sound, reduces echo |
| UV protection | ✓ UV-stabilised materials last decades in SA sun | Blackout lining helps, but fabric degrades faster |
| Privacy | ✓ Venetians allow partial view while blocking sightlines | Good when closed, but no partial privacy option |
| Lifespan (coastal SA) | ✓ 10 to 20+ years (Plaswood, aluminium) | ✗ 3 to 7 years before fading, mould, degradation |
| Upfront cost (per window) | ✓ From R340 (aluminium venetian) to R2,500+ depending on type | R199 (ready-made) to R5,000+ (custom premium) |
| Aesthetics | Clean lines, modern, minimalist | ✓ Warmth, softness, texture, drama |
| Child safety | ✓ Cordless and motorised options available | Generally safer (no cords) but tiebacks pose a risk |
Why South African Conditions Change the Equation
Most blinds-vs-curtains guides are written for the UK or Australia. South Africa has specific conditions that shift the answer significantly.
UV radiation
South Africa has among the highest UV levels in the world. Standard curtain fabric fades, weakens and degrades within a few years. UV-stabilised blinds are engineered to withstand this. Aluminium venetians and PVC rollers tested in Garden Route conditions show no significant degradation after a decade of direct sun exposure.
Coastal humidity and salt air
If you live along the Garden Route, Cape coast or KZN, moisture is a constant. Curtain fabric absorbs humidity and traps it against the wall. In coastal bathrooms and south-facing bedrooms, mould can develop within months. Black mould in particular is a real concern in the Western Cape, where damp conditions persist through winter. It is not just unsightly. Mould spores aggravate allergies and respiratory conditions, and once established in fabric, they are difficult to remove completely.
Curtains also carry a practical burden that people rarely consider upfront. Heavy lined curtains need to come down, go through the wash or to the dry cleaner, and then be re-hung. That is a full afternoon per room, several times a year if you want to stay ahead of dust and damp. Plaswood venetians and aluminium blinds resist salt corrosion, do not absorb moisture and wipe clean in minutes without ever leaving the window.
Security and partial privacy
Venetian blinds allow you to see out while blocking the view in. This matters in South Africa more than in most countries. You can monitor your garden, your driveway or your street without being visible. Curtains give you privacy only when fully closed, which also blocks your view and your light.
Room-by-Room: Where Blinds Win and Where Curtains Work
The right answer depends on the room. Here is what we recommend based on 20 years of seeing what lasts, what people love and what they eventually replace.
Bedrooms
This is where curtains have their strongest case. Thermal-lined curtains darken the room, absorb noise from the street and add warmth on cold Garden Route mornings. But if you want precise light control, a blockout roller blind behind a sheer curtain gives you both darkness when you need it and gentle filtered light when you do not. That layered approach is what we see working best in bedrooms along the coast.
Bathrooms
Blinds. No question. Moisture destroys curtain fabric in bathrooms, and damp fabric against a wall is where mould takes hold fastest. PVC venetian blinds handle steam, splashes and humidity without warping, staining or growing mould. They give you privacy with the slats angled, while still letting light and air circulate, which is exactly what a wet room needs.
Living areas
This depends on your style and your orientation. North-facing lounges with strong afternoon sun benefit from aluminium venetians or roller blinds that manage glare without blocking the view. If warmth and softness matter more than light control, curtains work well here, especially layered over a sheer blind.
Kitchens
Blinds win again. Cooking grease, steam and splashes make kitchens tough on fabric. Aluminium or PVC blinds wipe clean in seconds. Curtains near a stove are also a fire risk.
Home offices
Blinds give you glare control that curtains cannot match. Venetians let you redirect light away from your screen without darkening the entire room. Roller blinds with screen fabric cut glare while keeping the view.
Not sure which is right for your space? Get in touch and Duncan will walk through your options room by room.
The Layering Strategy: Why You May Not Need to Choose
The fastest-growing trend in South African window treatments is not blinds or curtains. It is both.
Layering a sheer curtain over a blockout blind gives you the soft texture and warmth of curtains during the day, with complete darkness and UV protection when the blind comes down at night. You get insulation, noise reduction, privacy and light control, without compromising on any of them.
For homes along the Knysna lagoon, in Plettenberg Bay estates or in exposed George suburbs, layering is the approach we recommend most. The blind handles the practical work. The curtain handles the atmosphere.
→
→
What Blinds and Curtains Cost in South Africa
Price should not be the only factor, but it matters. Here is what you can expect to pay in 2025 and 2026 across the most common options.
Blinds pricing (per window)
| Blind Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Aluminium venetian (25mm) | From R340 (smallest plain) to R2,500+ |
| Plaswood venetian | From R699 (50mm, cut-to-size) |
| Roller blind (sheer, smallest) | From R539 |
| Zebra / double roller | From R1,289 |
Curtains pricing (per window)
| Curtain Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Ready-made panels | R199 to R999 per panel |
| Custom curtains (base) | R275+ per drop + fabric (R250+/m) |
| Full custom treatment | R1,000 to R3,300+ |
| Premium custom (triple pinch pleat, thermal) | R2,500 to R5,000+ per window |
Over a 10-year period, blinds almost always cost less. A R539 sheer roller blind that lasts 15 years works out to around R36 a year. A R2,500 custom curtain that needs replacing every 5 years in a coastal home costs R500 a year. The maths favours blinds in most SA conditions, particularly at the coast.
For detailed blinds pricing in South Africa, we have a dedicated guide.
Value that lasts
Why the Right Choice Pays for Itself
Lower energy bills
Honeycomb blinds trap air in cellular pockets, reducing heat transfer and keeping rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter
Less replacement cost
Blinds that last 10 to 20 years in coastal conditions mean fewer replacements than curtains that fade and mould in 3 to 7
Custom Fit Guarantee
Shop orders are covered: too big and we trim for free, too small and you receive 5% off the replacement
Nationwide delivery
Order online, receive at your door. Garden Route clients get on-site consultation and professional installation
Frequently Asked Questions
Are blinds cheaper than curtains in South Africa?
Generally, yes. Aluminium venetian blinds start from around R340 for the smallest size, and sheer roller blinds from R539. Custom curtains typically begin at R1,000 or more per window. Ready-made curtain panels from chain retailers start lower at R199, but custom-fitted blinds offer better value over their lifespan because they last significantly longer in South African UV and coastal conditions.
Which is better for coastal homes on the Garden Route: blinds or curtains?
Blinds outperform curtains in coastal environments. PVC, aluminium and Plaswood venetian blinds resist salt air, humidity and UV damage that destroys curtain fabric within a few years. Fabric in damp conditions also harbours mould, including black mould, which affects indoor air quality. Custom Blinds has installed over 8,000 window treatments across the Garden Route and consistently recommends blinds for moisture-exposed rooms.
Can you use blinds and curtains together?
Yes, and it is the fastest-growing trend in South African interiors. Layering a sheer curtain over a blockout blind gives you soft natural light during the day, complete darkness at night, improved insulation and noise reduction. This combination works particularly well in bedrooms and living areas.
Do curtains or blinds block more light in South Africa?
Blockout roller blinds and curtains with blackout lining both achieve near-total darkness. The difference is control. Blinds with adjustable slats let you filter light precisely, tilting to redirect sun away from screens or furniture. Curtains are either open or closed, with no in-between control unless layered with a blind.
Which lasts longer in South African sun: blinds or curtains?
Blinds last considerably longer. UV-stabilised aluminium and PVC blinds typically last 10 to 20 years, even in direct South African sun. Curtain fabric, even with UV-resistant treatment, generally degrades noticeably within 3 to 7 years at the coast. Inland homes with less UV exposure may get longer curtain life, but blinds still outlast them.
Are blinds or curtains better for privacy in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay?
Blinds offer more flexible privacy. Venetian blinds can be angled to block sightlines from the street or neighbouring properties while still allowing light and air flow. Curtains provide full privacy only when closed, which also blocks your view entirely. For Garden Route homes where both privacy and views matter, venetians are the practical choice.
Where can I order custom blinds online in South Africa?
Custom Blinds offers a full online shop where you can build roller blinds, venetians, zebra blinds and more to your exact measurements. Orders ship nationwide with a Custom Fit Guarantee. Garden Route clients can also get an on-site consultation with expert advice and professional installation.
Still Deciding? Let Us Help
Duncan has helped thousands of Garden Route homeowners find the right window coverings for every room. A quick conversation saves hours of research.
Prices are indicative ranges based on South African market data for 2025 and 2026. Actual pricing depends on window size, material, fabric choice and installation requirements. Contact Custom Blinds for an accurate quote for your home.
