Thesen Island Blinds, Shutters & Awnings:
A Guide for These Unique Knysna Homes
Life on Thesen Island is shaped by water, wind and light. Every home has its nuances: the early morning glare from the canals, the salt air rolling off the ocean and lagoon, the soft hush of winter evenings. Choosing blinds, shutters and awnings here is not about catalogues, it is about how you live day to day. The right choices let you enjoy the beauty without the discomfort.
This guide is written from 15+ years of Knysna living, consulting, and designing The Outdoor Solutions Designs with the Thesen Committee many years ago. It answers the questions we hear most often, gives you a sense of what works in each setting, and helps you picture what living with these solutions is really like.
Why Thesen Island Homes Need More Consideration
Salt air rolling in from The Heads eats away at fittings, the lagoon light in summer can be dazzling, and the estate’s code insists on discretion. That means you cannot just buy off the shelf. For canal homes, privacy must feel natural. For north facing terraces, you need shade that softens glare without blocking the view. Every decision is part comfort, part protection, part style.
FAQs: Everyday Questions from Residents
What makes Thesen Island properties different?
The island shifts with the tide. Morning light bounces hard off the canals, afternoons bring wind along the walkways, and at night you need privacy when lights are on. Few places ask for such a careful balance of openness, privacy and shelter.
Which products suit canal facing homes?
Canal living is a gift, but it comes with glare and the eyes of passers by. Strong sheerweave outdoor blinds with side tracks let you enjoy the patio without losing the view. Inside, rollers, honeycomb shades and wood venetians/plaswood venetians keep the space cool and calm.
What about periphery or Thesen beach homes?
These homes are open to the weather and more exposed to onlookers from the water. Motorised retractable awnings or modern louvred roofs give you instant control. Pair with outdoor blinds in strong fabrics. Add Somfy automation and you can adjust with one touch when the weather turns.
How do you maximise privacy and the view?
Neighbours, walkers and passing boats all have a view in. We layer solutions: privacy outdoor blinds outside, shutters for interiors, and discreet roller, honeycomb or venetian blinds for street facing rooms. The result is comfort without feeling shut away.
Do you install estate approved shade sails?
Yes. Shade sails are part of the island’s design aesthetics and shadeports are not allowed. We design them to stay taut, meet the code and add a simple architectural beauty to your home.
What works best against north sun?
North facing homes get sun all day. Combine automated rollers and honeycombs to ease the glare inside. Outside, a louvred awning lets you choose full sun in winter or shade in summer.
Products by Home Aspect
| Aspect | Everyday Challenge | Best Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Canal facing | Glare, privacy | Outdoor drop downs, rollers, honeycomb shades, wood venetians/plaswood venetians |
| Periphery | Wind, exposure | Retractable awnings, louvred awnings, automated outdoor blinds, shutters |
| Thesen Beach | Open sun, sand | Louvred awnings, outdoor drop down blinds, shade sails, plaswood venetians |
| Privacy priority | Street, pedestrians | privacy sheerweaves outdoors, shutters indoors, layered blinds |
| North and summer west facing | Strong sun | automated rollers, honeycomb shades, exterior drop down blinds |
Most Popular Choices
Automated Outdoor Blinds
The easiest way to keep living spaces cool and private with one touch control. A favourite across canal and beachfront homes.
Louvred Awnings
Perfect for terraces and patios, giving shade in summer and light in winter. Loved for their flexibility and clean look. Designed to meet the original Custom Blinds® and Thesen Island design.
Plantation Shutters
Stylish and practical for interiors. They give privacy without blocking air and light, and match the estate’s requirements.
Choosing What Feels Right
There is no single answer. The right mix of Thesen Island blinds, shutters and awnings depends on how you live. Morning coffee on the jetty, sundowners on the deck, family braais on the beach, they all need different touches. We measure, specify and fit to the estate code so what you choose feels easy, natural and long lasting.
What Local Clients Say
“We worried about the estate rules, but the team helped with every approval. Now our blinds look as though they were bought with the house.”
New family on the island
“The installers were careful, tidy and quick. It felt more like friends helping us upgrade our home than a contractor job. The follow up has been just as personal from Duncan.”
Thesen Island resident
“We wanted privacy but did not want to lose the view. The outdoor blinds and roller blinds inside mean we finally feel relaxed at night.”
Beachfront facing homeowners
From the Founder
“We are not a franchise nor a national chain. We are a family run company that knows the island and the rhythm of its seasons. When you phone us, you speak to the same team that has stood on the gazebos during spring tide, fitted shutters just before a winter storm, and we still come back 10 years later to service what we installed. We do not just fit blinds or shutters, we help you feel that you have found your home on the Island.”
Duncan, Founder of Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings™
Explore more about the area: Visit Knysna • Thesen Island Official
