Shade solutions that make life more comfortable and improve how you live

When shade becomes a real need

You might recognise some of this:

• Your room heats up during the day and never really cools down
• Your TV or computer screens are hard to see because of glare
• Early morning sun wakes you or the family before you are ready
• Your patio or deck looks beautiful, but is too bright or hot to use
• Your flooring, furniture or artwork are fading from strong UV
• Your workspace feels harsh and tiring because of constant bright light
• Guests or customers avoid certain seats because the sun is too strong
• Your vehicle bakes in the driveway and the interior is too hot to touch

The right shade solution changes that, so the space becomes easier to use and more comfortable to be in every day.

Shade by space — matching the product to the problem

Different spaces need different shade approaches. A patio needs overhead protection and side screening. A bedroom needs darkness on demand. A pool needs broad cover that handles wind. A driveway needs hail and UV protection for vehicles.

Patios and braai areas

Awnings provide overhead shade. Outdoor blinds in sheerweave mesh handle the sides — reducing glare and heat while keeping airflow and views. Together, they turn an exposed patio into a comfortable outdoor room.

Pool and entertainment areas

Shade sails provide broad, tensioned cover that handles wind well. They are ideal for pools, courtyards and play areas where you need large-area shade without posts or heavy structures.

Driveways and parking

Shade ports protect vehicles, boats and equipment from UV, heat and hail. A shade port reduces interior temperatures significantly and prevents paint and dashboard damage.

Indoor rooms

Roller blinds soften light without darkening rooms. Honeycomb blinds insulate against heat through glass. Venetian blinds redirect light away from screens and seating.

Indoor shade products

Indoor shade is about controlling brightness and heat without losing the feel of the room.

Outdoor shade

Outdoor shade is about making patios, decks and entertainment areas comfortable throughout the day. The most effective outdoor shade comes from combining sheerweave outdoor blinds with well-designed shade structures. A patio that currently empties at 2pm because of direct sun can become an all-day space with the right combination of overhead cover and side screening.

Thermal insulation — shade that saves energy

Shade is not just about blocking brightness. Windows are the biggest source of heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. The right products reduce both, making rooms more comfortable and lowering energy costs.

Honeycomb blinds are the standout performer here. Their cellular structure creates an insulating air pocket between the glass and the room. On the Highveld, where summer temperatures soar and winter mornings can be near freezing, the difference is immediate and measurable. In the Karoo, where temperature swings of 30 degrees in a single day are normal, honeycomb insulation keeps rooms stable without relying on air conditioning or heating.

Blockout roller blinds with reflective backing also reduce solar heat gain. Combined with correct fabric choice, indoor blinds become a passive climate control system that works whether the power is on or not — valuable during loadshedding.

How honeycomb blinds save energy

Shade across South African climates

Along the Garden Route and coastal areas, shade needs to handle intense UV, variable cloud cover and wind. Sheerweave outdoor blinds, retractable awnings with wind sensors and shade sails for pool areas are the foundation. Material specification matters — our coastal durability guide covers what lasts.

On the Highveld and in Gauteng, extreme summer heat followed by dramatic afternoon storms means shade structures need to be robust and, ideally, retractable or sensor-automated. Honeycomb blinds manage the temperature extremes between seasons. Shade ports protect vehicles from the hail that costs Gauteng drivers billions annually.

In KwaZulu-Natal, high humidity combined with strong sun makes airflow essential. Sheerweave outdoor blinds that reduce glare without trapping heat, and shade sails over pools and entertainment areas, are the most common starting points.

In the Karoo and inland areas, relentless sun and extreme temperature swings call for honeycomb insulation indoors and fixed shade structures outdoors. Louvre awnings work well here because they can be fully open for winter warmth and closed for summer shade.

Shade connects to everything else in your home

Shade products often solve more than one problem at once. The sheerweave blind that blocks glare also gives you daytime privacy. The awning that shades your patio also provides weather protection from light rain. The security shutter that protects your holiday home also blocks intense afternoon sun through west-facing glass.

Automation makes shade management effortless. Somfy sun sensors extend awnings when UV intensity rises and retract them when wind picks up. Motorised indoor blinds close on a schedule to protect furnishings from afternoon sun. Motorised blinds guide.

Custom Blinds is the only South African company that covers indoor blinds, shutters, awnings, outdoor blinds, shade structures, screens and automation under one roof. One consultation covers shade, weather, privacy and security together — because in most homes, the same products solve multiple problems.

Guides that help you choose

• Blinds in South Africa — how to choose the right type
• Awnings on the Garden Route
• Outdoor blinds vs awnings — Plettenberg Bay
• Honeycomb blinds buyer’s guide
• Shade ports — George, Knysna and Plett compared
• How much do blinds cost in South Africa?
• Types of blinds for South African homes
• How to clean blinds, shutters and outdoor blinds

Ready to make every space more comfortable?

Whether you need one room sorted or a full indoor and outdoor shade plan, our team designs solutions that work for your climate and how you live. Garden Route consultations with Duncan, or guided remote support for anywhere in South Africa.

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