Ziptrak^® Outdoor Blinds: The Original Track-Guided System

What is Ziptrak® and how does it work?

Ziptrak® is the original track-guided blind system, designed and manufactured in Adelaide by a family-run Australian engineering company that has spent more than 25 years refining a single product. The patented mechanism is deceptively simple. Each blind has a flexible polymer spline running down both vertical edges of the fabric. That spline grips inside an extruded aluminium track on each side of the opening, sealing the blind to the structure as it moves up or down.

The result is what every other outdoor blind tries to be. No flapping in the wind. No gaps where dust and insects get in. No ropes, chains, or pulleys to operate. The spring-balanced track allows the blind to be left at any height, locked in position by a quiet, intuitive mechanism. For larger or hard-to-reach blinds, Somfy motorisation integrates seamlessly with the same track system.

Why being an authorised Ziptrak® retailer matters

Genuine Ziptrak® products are only available through the authorised retailer network. The brand operates a strict approval process for fabricators and installers because the engineering only works when every component is correct. The spline is matched to the track. The track is matched to the cassette. The bottom bar locks into the track using purpose-designed locking pins. Substitute any one component with a generic equivalent and the wind seal fails.

Full Ziptrak® Australia warranty

Every Ziptrak® component supplied by Custom Blinds carries the manufacturer warranty backed by Ziptrak® Australia. Custom Blinds adds installation and service warranty on top of that, handled locally by our Garden Route team.

Genuine components, approved processes

Authorised retailers use only Ziptrak®-approved fabrication processes and Ziptrak®-recommended fixings, spaced and specified for the structure type and the local wind exposure. The Ziptrak® logo on the spline, handle, bottom bar, or pelmet ends confirms authenticity.

Access to the latest hardware

The Ziptrak® product range continues to evolve. Authorised retailers have current access to the Streamline pelmet with integrated Insect Control System, the Centre Lock Release mechanism, the latest Somfy motorisation options, and ongoing improvements to fabric, fixings, and finishes.

Wind performance for Garden Route conditions

Ziptrak® outdoor blinds are engineered for serious weather. The patented track-guided system has been independently tested by Ziptrak®'s engineering team in Adelaide. A standard 2.5 by 2.5 metre Ziptrak® blind, fixed using Ziptrak®-recommended fixings into a solid structure, is rated for use in winds well into the upper end of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's wind scale.

That matters here. Knysna southerlies, Plettenberg Bay easterlies, and George winter fronts test outdoor blinds in ways that mild inland sites never do. A blind that flaps, gaps, or rattles in 40 km/h gusts is not actually working. Ziptrak® was designed for exactly the conditions the Garden Route delivers most weeks of the year.

Four installation options to suit any structure

Ziptrak® offers four installation systems, allowing the blind to be specified to the architecture of the home rather than forcing a single look on every site.

Open bracket

The simplest mounting option. Cast brackets fix the roller tube directly to the soffit or beam, with the retracted blind visible above. Quick to install, cost-effective, and ideal for rear patios where appearance is secondary to function.

Bracket with back flashing

An aluminium back flashing conceals the retracted blind from outside view, giving a cleaner look from the garden or street while keeping the cost-effective mounting structure of an open bracket.

Traditional pelmet

A full aluminium pelmet hides the rolled-up blind entirely, creating a flush architectural finish. Suited to higher-spec homes and contemporary builds where the blind needs to disappear when not in use.

Streamline pelmet with Insect Control System

The premium option. A slimmer, more architectural pelmet profile with an integrated Insect Control System that seals the gap between blind and pelmet, stopping mosquitoes and flies from entering even when the blind is partly raised. Ideal for entertainment areas where evening insects are a problem.

Fabric and operation

Ziptrak® outdoor blinds are available in three fabric categories, each suited to a different priority.

Sunscreen mesh

The default specification for most Garden Route installations. Mesh fabric at 5% openness blocks the majority of UV and direct sun while preserving the view through the blind and allowing breeze through. Ideal for daytime patio use, glare reduction, and partial privacy.

Clear PVC

Full weather sealing. Clear PVC keeps the view entirely while completely blocking wind, rain, and cold air. The right choice for restaurant patios, exposed balconies, and any space that needs to remain functional through coastal winter weather.

Acrylic canvas

Solid fabric for full privacy and shade. Suited to entertainment areas where the blind doubles as a wall, and for west-facing patios where afternoon glare is the primary problem to solve.

Manual or motorised

The standard Ziptrak® spring-balanced operation works smoothly on blinds up to the maximum 6 metre width. For higher installations, multiple-blind installations, or smart home integration, Somfy motorisation is the recommended specification. Motors are sized to the blind dimensions, weight, and cycle frequency. Smart home integration with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home is available through Somfy's TaHoma hub.

Commercial Ziptrak® for restaurants, lodges, and venues

Ziptrak® is widely specified for commercial outdoor spaces because it solves the same problems hospitality operators face every season: outdoor seating that becomes unusable in wind, terraces that need to be enclosed at short notice, branded fabric panels that double as architectural identity. Custom Blinds installs Ziptrak® in restaurants, hotels, lodges, and event venues across the Garden Route.

Operational features that suit commercial sites include silent spring-balanced operation, motorisation with timer control for opening and closing routines, and the Streamline pelmet with Insect Control System for restaurants where evening insects are a service risk. Custom Blinds carries the Ziptrak® warranty into commercial installations and provides ongoing service support.