Zebra Blinds South Africa: The Only Guide Worth Reading
Zebra blinds — also called double roller or day-night blinds — give you something no other single blind can: continuous control over light, privacy, and view, from one panel.
What are zebra blinds and how do they work?
- Zebra blinds use alternating bands of sheer and opaque fabric on a single continuous roller to provide adjustable light and privacy control
- Aligning the opaque bands together blocks 95–99% of light; aligning sheer bands allows filtered daylight and outward visibility
- Also called double roller blinds, day-night blinds, or transitional blinds in the South African market
- Custom Blinds supplies two fabric ranges — Florence (8 colours) and Venice (4 colours) — in made-to-measure sizes delivered nationwide
- Pricing starts from approximately R650 per blind for standard window sizes, with motorisation available on request
- Suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, offices, and coastal environments when paired with appropriate fabric weights
Need expert advice? Call Duncan on 079 523 5407
TLDR
Zebra blinds replace the binary “up or down” of traditional rollers with continuous adjustment between sheer and opaque. Two fabric ranges, twelve colours, made-to-measure, delivered anywhere in South Africa. If you want one blind that handles morning light, afternoon glare, and evening privacy — this is it.
The best window covering is the one you stop noticing. It controls the light without you thinking about it, shifts with the day, and makes the room feel right.
Morning
Sheer bands aligned. Soft light fills the room. You can see the garden. The neighbours cannot see you.
Midday
Bands offset halfway. Glare disappears from the screen. The room stays bright without the heat.
Afternoon
Opaque bands closing. West-facing sun blocked. Furniture protected. Cool air stays inside.
Evening
Fully closed. Complete privacy. Interior lights stay interior. The room is yours.
“People ask me for a blind that does everything. I tell them — zebra comes close. One mechanism, and you go from open plan to private in a single pull. No second blind. No curtain layer.”
— Duncan Kane, Custom Blinds Founder — 15 years installing across the Garden Route
How Zebra Blinds Work
The mechanism is deceptively simple. A single piece of fabric loops continuously over a top roller and a weighted bottom rail. The fabric itself alternates between sheer bands (light passes through) and opaque bands (light does not).
Adjusting the chain or wand shifts the front and rear layers relative to each other. When the opaque bands of both layers overlap, you get near-total light block. When the sheer bands overlap, you get filtered daylight and a view. Every position in between gives you a different balance.
Unlike standard roller blinds, which offer only fully raised or fully lowered, zebra blinds give you a dimmer switch for your windows — at any height.
Zebra Blinds vs Roller Blinds vs Venetian Blinds
Each blind type solves a different problem. Zebra blinds occupy a unique middle ground — the adjustability of venetians with the clean lines of rollers.
| Feature | Zebra / Double Roller | Standard Roller | Venetian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light adjustment | ✓ Continuous — infinite positions | ✗ Binary — up or down | ✓ Tilt slats for angles |
| Privacy with view | ✓ Sheer bands filter without blocking | ✗ Must raise to see out | ✓ Partial — slat gaps visible |
| Near-blackout | ✓ 95–99% when opaque aligned | ✓ Blockout fabric available | ✗ Light bleeds between slats |
| Visual profile | Flat, modern, fabric-forward | Flat, minimal | Horizontal slat lines |
| Cleaning | Wipe with damp cloth | Wipe with damp cloth | Dust each slat individually |
| Coastal suitability | ✓ No metal components to corrode | ✓ Same fabric base | Aluminium resists; wood may warp |
| Child safety | Chain with safety clip or motorised | Chain with safety clip or motorised | Cord or wand — varies |
| Price range (SA) | R650–R2,500 per window | R400–R1,800 per window | R500–R3,000 per window |
For a full breakdown of every blind type available in South Africa, see our guide to choosing the right blinds.
Our Zebra Blind Ranges
Custom Blinds carries two zebra blind fabric ranges — Florence and Venice — each engineered for durability in South African conditions. Both are made-to-measure and available through our online shop or via consultation.
Florence Range — 8 Colours
A textured weave with subtle depth. The Florence range works in both contemporary and traditional interiors, with a slightly heavier hand that improves light blocking.
White
Cream
Beige
Mocha
Grey
Charcoal
Chocolate
Ebony
Venice Range — 4 Colours
A smoother, lighter-weight weave with a matte finish. Venice works well in minimalist interiors and rooms where a softer drape is preferred.
White
Grey
Charcoal
Mocha
Real Installations
Zebra blinds installed by Custom Blinds at Knysna Hollow Country Estate — a working example of double rollers handling natural light, guest privacy, and a coastal aesthetic in a single product.
Where Zebra Blinds Work Best
Living rooms and open-plan spaces. The sheer-to-opaque range handles shifting sun angles throughout the day without needing a second blind or curtain layer. Zebra blinds give modern, open-plan rooms a clean line that curtains cannot match.
Bedrooms. With opaque bands fully aligned, zebra blinds block 95–99% of light. Not quite full blackout — if you need absolute darkness for shift work or nurseries, a dedicated blockout roller is the better choice. For most bedrooms, zebra is more than enough.
Home offices. Glare on a screen kills productivity. Zebra blinds let you dial in the exact level of ambient light you need without losing daylight entirely. See our home office window shades comparison for a deeper look.
Kitchens. The fabric wipes clean, does not hold moisture the way curtains do, and handles steam and cooking splatter better than wooden venetians. Our kitchen blinds guide covers material considerations in detail.
Coastal homes. No metal slats to corrode. No timber to warp. The fabric roller mechanism handles humid, salt-laden air without the maintenance burden of bamboo or wood venetians.
Airbnb and rental properties. A single zebra blind replaces the curtain-plus-sheer combination that guests expect but landlords hate maintaining. Durable, modern, low-touch — and they photograph well for listings.
Measuring and Ordering
Every zebra blind is made to your exact measurements. There is no off-the-shelf sizing. This is why the product fits properly and why cheap alternatives from chain stores end up in the bin.
Two mounting options: inside mount (blind sits within the window frame for a flush look) or outside mount (blind covers the full frame for maximum light block). The measuring guide covers both.
Order online through our shop with measurements, or WhatsApp us for help. Garden Route customers — Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield — can book a free in-home consultation with Duncan.
Ready to order?
Made-to-measure. Delivered nationwide. Custom Fit Guarantee on every online order.
Zebra Blind Pricing in South Africa
Made-to-measure zebra blinds cost more than off-the-shelf chain store alternatives. They also fit properly, last longer, and do not fall apart after two summers of UV exposure.
| Window Size | Approximate Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 900mm wide) | R650 – R950 | Bathrooms, small bedrooms |
| Standard (900–1500mm) | R950 – R1,600 | Most bedrooms, kitchens |
| Large (1500–2400mm) | R1,600 – R2,500 | Living rooms, open-plan |
| Motorisation add-on | From R1,800 | Per blind — Somfy or Eve MotionBlinds |
Prices include fabric, mechanism, and brackets. Delivery is additional and depends on location. For a detailed breakdown across all blind types, see our 2026 blinds pricing guide.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Zebra blinds are low maintenance by design. No individual slats to dust. No fabric folds trapping dirt. A flat surface that wipes clean.
Weekly: Light dust with a microfibre cloth or feather duster. Work top to bottom.
Monthly: Dampen a cloth with warm water and a drop of mild detergent. Wipe each band gently. Do not submerge. Do not use harsh chemicals, bleach, or abrasive pads.
Coastal homes: Salt residue builds up faster near the coast. A monthly wipe-down prevents the dull film that affects all window coverings in marine environments. For a complete care routine, read our blinds cleaning guide.
“I have installed zebra blinds in holiday homes from Plett to Mossel Bay. Three years later, same mechanism, same fabric — still working. The only thing I have ever replaced is a chain that a tenant’s dog chewed through.”
— Duncan Kane, Custom Blinds
Frequently Asked Questions
Are zebra blinds the same as double roller blinds?
Yes. Zebra blinds, double roller blinds, day-night blinds, and transitional blinds are all names for the same product — alternating sheer and opaque fabric bands on a continuous roller. In South Africa, “zebra” and “double roller” are the most common terms.
Do zebra blinds block out light completely?
Zebra blinds block 95–99% of light when opaque bands are fully aligned. Some light may bleed at the edges depending on the mounting method. For absolute blackout (shift workers, nurseries), a dedicated blockout roller blind is more effective.
How much do zebra blinds cost in South Africa?
Made-to-measure zebra blinds from Custom Blinds range from approximately R650 for small windows to R2,500 for large openings. Motorisation adds from R1,800 per blind. See our pricing guide for full details.
Can zebra blinds be motorised?
Yes. Custom Blinds offers motorisation through Somfy and Eve MotionBlinds, both compatible with smart home systems including Apple HomeKit and Google Home. Motorisation removes the chain entirely, which also improves child safety.
Are zebra blinds suitable for coastal homes?
Zebra blinds handle coastal conditions well. The fabric and roller mechanism contain no metal slats or timber components that corrode or warp in salt air. Regular cleaning prevents salt residue build-up. Custom Blinds has installed zebra blinds across the Garden Route coast — Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield — for over a decade.
How do I measure for zebra blinds?
Measure the width and drop of your window in millimetres. Decide between inside mount (within the frame) and outside mount (covers the frame). Our step-by-step measuring guide covers both methods with diagrams.
What colours are available?
Custom Blinds carries twelve zebra blind colours across two ranges: Florence (White, Cream, Beige, Mocha, Grey, Charcoal, Chocolate, Ebony) and Venice (White, Grey, Charcoal, Mocha). All are available in made-to-measure sizes through our online shop.
Are zebra blinds child-safe?
Standard zebra blinds use a chain mechanism with a safety clip that prevents loops hanging at child height. For cord-free operation, motorisation eliminates the chain entirely. See our child safety guide for more on safe blind options.
How long do zebra blinds last?
With standard care, expect 8–12 years from the fabric and mechanism. UV degradation is the primary wear factor in South African conditions. Lighter colours show UV fatigue later than darker shades. The roller mechanism itself typically outlasts the fabric.
Do you deliver nationwide?
Yes. Custom Blinds delivers made-to-measure zebra blinds anywhere in South Africa. Garden Route customers in Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, and surrounds can also book a free in-home consultation and professional installation.
Related Guides
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Prices are approximate and depend on window dimensions, fabric selection, and mounting type. Custom Fit Guarantee applies to online shop orders only. Content reviewed February 2026. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings is an independent, Garden Route-based manufacturer and installer — not a franchise. About us.
