Outdoor Blinds Garden Route
Drop-down, sidetrack & clear PVC systems for coastal patios from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay
Outdoor blinds on the Garden Route are weather-rated patio enclosures designed for wind, rain, salt spray and UV exposure across Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, George, Sedgefield and Mossel Bay. Custom Blinds manufactures and installs drop-down outdoor blinds, sidetrack channel systems, clear PVC blinds, and screen mesh blinds — all custom-made for the Garden Route’s unique coastal conditions. Free site visits from Knysna to Mossel Bay.
Why Garden Route Patios Need Purpose-Built Outdoor Blinds
The Garden Route is not Johannesburg. It is not Cape Town. The coastal strip from Mossel Bay through George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay has a microclimate that punishes generic outdoor products. South-easterly winds accelerate through the valleys. Salt air corrodes anything that is not marine-grade. Afternoon rain arrives without warning in every season. And the UV index regularly exceeds 10 between October and March.
Standard outdoor blinds from national chains fail here within two to three years. Brackets corrode. Fabrics fade and crack. Operating mechanisms seize. We see it constantly when replacing competitors’ installations.
Custom Blinds has been manufacturing and installing outdoor blinds on the Garden Route since 2010. Every component — from the fabric and stitching to the brackets and channels — is selected specifically for our coast. That is not a marketing claim. It is the reason we have over 8,000 installations still in service across the region and a perfect 5.0 Google rating from 30 verified reviews.
Outdoor Blind Types for Garden Route Homes
Drop-Down Outdoor Blinds
The most popular outdoor blind on the Garden Route. A roller mechanism at the top drops a fabric panel vertically to enclose your patio, stoep, or braai area. Available in acrylic canvas, PVC, and screen mesh fabrics. Manual crank or Somfy motorised operation. Our drop-down blinds are built with stainless steel brackets and marine-grade components specifically for the salt-air environment between Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay.
Sidetrack & Ziptrak Channel Systems
For homes exposed to serious wind — and there are many on the Garden Route — sidetrack and ziptrak systems lock the blind fabric into aluminium side channels, creating a sealed enclosure. No flapping, no gaps, no wind lift. These are the premium choice for waterfront properties on the Knysna Lagoon, Thesen Island, and Plettenberg Bay beachfront.
Clear PVC Outdoor Blinds
When you want weather protection without losing the view. Clear PVC panels roll down to create a transparent barrier against wind and rain while keeping your Garden Route vista — whether that is the Outeniqua Mountains from George, the lagoon from Knysna, or the ocean from Plett. Available with tinted options for glare reduction.
Screen Mesh Outdoor Blinds
Screen mesh fabrics filter light and wind without fully blocking either. Ideal for Garden Route homes that want reduced glare and UV protection while maintaining airflow. Different openness factors (1%, 3%, 5%, 10%) let you choose the balance between shade and visibility. Particularly popular for west-facing patios in Knysna and George where afternoon sun is relentless.
Outdoor Blinds by Garden Route Town
We install across the entire Garden Route with no call-out fees. Each town has different conditions and requirements:
What Makes Garden Route Outdoor Blinds Different?
National online blind retailers ship the same product to Knysna as they do to Pretoria. That product is not designed for coastal conditions. Here is what we do differently:
Stainless steel hardware. Every bracket, screw, and spring on a Custom Blinds outdoor installation uses stainless steel or marine-grade aluminium. Standard zinc-plated hardware corrodes within 18 months on the coast.
UV-stabilised fabrics. We source from Somfy, Dixon and Tempotest — manufacturers whose fabrics are tested for the Southern Hemisphere UV index. Garden Route UV exposure is among the highest in South Africa.
Wind-rated installations. The south-easter and berg winds that funnel through the Outeniqua passes and along the coast are not gentle. Our sidetrack and ziptrak systems are rated for wind conditions that standard drop-down blinds cannot handle. We assess each property individually and recommend the right system for the exposure.
On-site manufacturing. Custom Blinds manufactures outdoor blinds from our Garden Route workshop. We do not order from a factory in Johannesburg and wait three weeks. Your blinds are made here, fitted here, and serviced here.
Outdoor Blind Fabric Comparison
| Fabric Type | Best For | Weather Rating | View Through | GR Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic Canvas | Full weather enclosure | Excellent | None | Excellent — all towns |
| Clear PVC | Weather + view retention | Excellent | Full | Excellent — lagoon/ocean |
| Screen Mesh (1-5%) | UV + glare reduction | Moderate | Filtered | Good — west-facing patios |
| Screen Mesh (10%) | Light shade + airflow | Low | Good | Sheltered patios only |
| Tinted PVC | Weather + glare reduction | Excellent | Tinted | North-facing sun exposure |
Motorised Outdoor Blinds for Garden Route Homes
Garden Route weather changes fast. One moment you are enjoying a sunny braai, the next the south-easter picks up or rain sweeps in from the mountains. Motorised outdoor blinds with Somfy automation let you drop your blinds with a remote, a wall switch, or your phone — no getting up, no cranking, no struggling with wind-blown fabric.
For holiday homes that stand empty during the week, Somfy automation can be set on timers or linked to sun and wind sensors. Your blinds respond to the weather even when you are not there.
Read more: Understanding Automatic Outdoor Blinds →
Combine Outdoor Blinds with Awnings
The most effective Garden Route patio enclosure combines overhead shade with side protection. A retractable folding-arm awning or aluminium louvre awning covers the top, while drop-down or sidetrack outdoor blinds close the sides. This creates a fully usable outdoor room that works in any weather.
Read more: Outdoor Blinds vs Awnings — Which is Right? →
Get a Free Site Visit Anywhere on the Garden Route
Knysna · Plettenberg Bay · George · Sedgefield · Mossel Bay · Wilderness
Guides & Resources
Outdoor Blinds vs Awnings Plettenberg Bay
Outdoor Blinds for SA Coastal Homes
Understanding Automatic Outdoor Blinds
Outdoor Blinds for Year-Round Dining
Garden Route Coastal Blinds, Shutters & Awnings
7 Top Uses for Retractable Awnings on the Garden Route
Sheerweave Blinds for South African Patios
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do outdoor blinds cost on the Garden Route?
Outdoor blind pricing depends on size, fabric type, and operating mechanism. Drop-down canvas blinds start from approximately R350 per square metre. Clear PVC and sidetrack systems are higher due to materials and channel hardware. Contact us for an exact quote — every installation is custom measured. See our full pricing guide.
Which outdoor blind fabric is best for coastal Garden Route homes?
For full weather protection, acrylic canvas or clear PVC are best. Both resist salt corrosion, UV damage, and rain. Screen mesh is suitable for sheltered patios where you want airflow with shade. We recommend sidetrack or ziptrak channel systems for any property directly exposed to the south-easter.
Do you install outdoor blinds across the entire Garden Route?
Yes. Custom Blinds installs outdoor blinds from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay and everywhere in between — George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna, and surrounding areas. Free site visits with no call-out fees.
Can outdoor blinds be motorised?
Yes. All our outdoor blind types can be fitted with Somfy motorisation for remote control, timer, or sensor-based operation. Motorised blinds are especially popular for Garden Route holiday homes where owners want automated weather response.
What warranty do Custom Blinds outdoor blinds carry?
All outdoor blinds come with a 5-year warranty. This covers manufacturing defects and hardware failure. Our Custom Fit Guarantee also applies: if your blinds are too big, we trim them free. If too small, you get 5% off the replacement.
8,000+ installations since 2010 · 5-year warranty · Custom Fit Guarantee · Free delivery nationwide via shop.customblinds.co.za
