insights
insights
Same alloy, same mechanism. The difference is the look and how the light falls.
25mm
Compact, precise
50mm
Bold, shutter-like
Many homes use both. One order can mix the two.
Wood is warm but warps and fades. Aluminium wins on moisture, sun and value.
Want the timber look? Aluwood and woodgrain aluminium give you the grain on a slat that will not warp.
| Performance | Aluminium | Real wood | Aluwood | PVC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture | Excellent | Poor, warps | Excellent | Good |
| UV | Excellent | Fades and cracks | Good | Moderate, yellows |
| Coastal | Excellent, non-corrosive | Not recommended | Good | Good |
| Wide spans | Rigid | Rigid | Rigid | Bows over 1,500mm |
Three dots excellent. No dots poor or not recommended.
“Aluminium venetians are the blind I recommend more than any other for bathrooms, kitchens and offices. They handle steam, grease and salt air without warping, fading or peeling.”Duncan Kane Founder, Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings
Far more than basic silver.
Swatches are illustrations of each finish type, not colour samples.
Aluminium earns its place where other materials fail.
The number one room. Steam will not warp or mould them. Tilt for privacy with airflow.
25mmGrease and steam wipe off with a damp cloth.
25mmTilt the glare off the screen without darkening the room.
25mmA shutter-like look for less.
50mmPair with a blockout roller behind for dark nights.
25mmHard to damage, easy to maintain, parts easy to replace.
05 Coastal homes
The slat alloy is non-corrosive. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings has fitted aluminium venetians in seafront homes from Mossel Bay through Knysna and Plettenberg Bay since 2010, and recommends it over aluwood and PVC on the coast.
Fully exposed openingsTrack-guided outdoor blinds are the better specification where wind drives spray at the glass.
Close the slats flat. A dry microfibre cloth across both sides.
Damp cloth and mild detergent. A 25mm blind can come down for a soak in the bath.
Abrasive cleaners, steel wool or solvents. They damage the finish and void the warranty.
Inside the recess or over the frame. Inside mount needs at least 35mm of depth. How to measure
25mm or 50mm, your sizes, your finish. The price shows straight away.
Delivered free anywhere in South Africa. 15 to 30 minutes a window. Garden Route clients can add installation by Duncan and team.
Buy online:
It depends on the window. 25mm suits smaller windows, bathrooms and kitchens. 50mm suits larger windows and living areas. Both use the same alloy and tilt-and-lift mechanism, and many homes use both.
On the coast the enemy is salt air, not only sun. Aluminium venetian slats do not rust, so they hold their finish in sea-facing rooms. For fully exposed openings, track-guided outdoor blinds are the better choice. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings has specified for Garden Route coastal homes since 2010.
Yes. Aluminium resists moisture, rust and corrosion, which is why it suits bathrooms, kitchens and laundries.
Ten years or more with basic care. The alloy does not degrade under South African sun.
They reflect sunlight before it enters the room. Close the slats with the curved side facing out for the most reflection. Where temperature control matters most, honeycomb blinds insulate better.
Content reviewed by the Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings team. Visit the online shop for current pricing.
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings | South Africa’s trusted blinds, shutters and awnings specialists since 2010.