What you need to know about Outdoor Blinds...Blinds help you retain heat in the winter months giving you a cozy space and minimal heating costs. Blinds let you seal the space off and

Outdoor Blinds Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 [email protected] 1300 798 700

What you need to know about Outdoor BlindsA FREE Consumer Awareness Guide to help you make a better-informed decision when choosing a Outdoor Blind provider.

2Outdoor Blinds Consumer Awareness Guide


What you need to know about Outdoor Blinds A FREE Consumer Awareness Guide to help you make a better-informed decision when choosing an Outdoor Blind provider.

Read This Free Report to Discover…

6 ways quality Blinds can help you get more use from your property 4

5 mistakes to avoid with your Outdoor Blinds 5

Which blind style is best for me? 6

Should I choose manual wind up or an automatic system? 9

4 dangers of choosing the wrong service provider 10

Important differences between quality blinds and a “cheaper” alternative 11

How to choose a reputable operator to do the job properly 12

What others have to say 13



Dear Business Owner,

Choosing outdoor blinds provider isn’t easy. Why? Because you’re bombarded with confusing jargon, inconsistent design information, inexperienced operators and misleading pricing methods. How do you ever find a competent reliable provider to help with your property?

You start by reading this consumer guide. You’ll discover 6 ways blinds get more from your property, 5 mistakes to avoid when choosing a provider, and 6 important differences between quality and cheap blinds.

We wrote this guide to help you better understand how to choose an outdoor blind provider. Now with this information, you can make an informed and intelligent decision. If you have any questions about outdoor blinds you’re invited to call us on 1300 789 700. We’ve dedicated our business to educating consumers and raising standards in the industry. We’ll be happy to help in any way.

Thanks! Tom Westcott, Alfresco Shade.

Ok, let’s get started...

Outdoor Blinds Consumer Awareness Guide


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6 ways quality Blinds can help you get more use from your property 1. Control the weather in your outdoor area. Clear waterproof blinds can give you the tools to enjoy

the use of your space no matter what’s going on with the weather. This is good news as Sydney weather is all over the place! You can roll your blinds up, down or leave at half way to suit the conditions. Cooler in summer, warmer in winter.

2. More useable space. As a business owner, blinds give you the ability to use more of your outdoor areas to keep customers pouring in and money rolling in the door. This is great news for your bottom line and can help work wonders with fitting in extra tables in street side space that you didn’t think was usable. Every table counts!

3. Block the wind. Wind is a big nuisance for your customers. No one enjoys dining with wine glasses blowing over or table cloths flapping around in the wind. Quality clear blinds give you control over the wind and let your customers relax in comfort. Make sure you aren’t losing a fortune with a draughty blustery outdoor area.

4. Block the rain. Blinds let you fit tables in right to the edge of your available space. Your customers can dine and connect in peace even with heavy rain outside. Clear blinds are totally waterproof letting the light through and keeping the rain out.

5. Maintain heat in outer areas. Blinds help you retain heat in the winter months giving you a cozy space and minimal heating costs. Blinds let you seal the space off and provide a consistent cozy space your customers will love. Every restaurateur knows how hard it is to heat outdoor areas in the winter time. Without blinds, the heat is simply blown away by the wind.

6. Keeps the outside world outside. Many cafes and restaurants are close to busy roads. Blinds let you block out the road noise and insulate your customers from the world outside. Nothing ruins the mood of a lovely meal a huge truck powering by or traffic splashes from the roadside! Blinds give you a cozy and intimate space your customers will love.



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5 mistakes to avoid with your Outdoor Blinds 1. Hanging blinds without enough structural support. Blinds are built to be light but strong. It’s

not the weight of the blind which causes problems though. It’s the wind load. When a blind is rolled down and attached to the ground it catches a lot of wind force. The mounting points and supporting steelwork need to be strong enough to handle this load. Occasionally we are called out to fix messes where shoddy installers have fixed blinds to timber or flimsy building materials. Blinds sometimes require a special steel mounting frame reinforcement to help beef up the support.

2. Installing blinds across exit ways. Café and restaurant owners can be tempted to block the exit and entry areas with blinds to keep the customers inside happy (and fit in a few extra tables). This can be tempting but may get you in trouble if something goes wrong and your guests need to leave in a hurry! An average takes a few minutes to wind up and out of the way. Enough to cause problems in an emergency.

3. Over specification. We have noticed a trend towards more customers choosing the top of range Zippy blinds when the standard Café Blinds will do the job. Zippy blinds are a great product and totally seal off your outdoor space from wind and insects. However, in some instances Zippy Blinds may be overkill and the cheaper and lower maintenance Café Blinds would work just fine.

4. Not choosing automatic remote-controlled wind-up systems. Manual wind-up is fine for most applications but larger cafes and restaurants can often profit from choosing the more expensive automatic wind up system.

5. Installing blinds too close to the roadside. This is surprisingly common. Make sure you keep the edge of your blinds at least 600mm from the curb side. If you go any closer, you run the risk of a truck turning on the road catching the edge of your blind and tearing it to pieces. This will also save you from breaking council by-laws who require usually require a 600mm set back from the road.

Restaurant Example: A typical 3-metre high café blind takes most people 4 or 5 minutes wind up using a manual winder. Large restaurants can have 10+ blinds to wind up and down every day. That’s at least 45 minutes of labour every day (10 x 4.5 minutes per blind). Automatic blinds let you eliminate this with the touch of a button. The electric motor does all the work for you in under a minute, eliminating the need to interfere with customers by manually winding up blinds close to tables.



Which blind style is best for me? The perfect blind for you really depends on your property and what you need it for. Heres a quick guide to make the decision more straightforward.

Umbrella Blinds

The Umbrella Blind is a great level entry option and combines perfectly with a quality commercial umbrella.

Advantages � Simple strong and cost effective. � Roll up by hand so no moving parts. � Can be zipped together with another umbrella blind to block all wind. � Suitable for heights up to 2.4m and up to 3.5m wide (per blind). � 0.75 mm double ply clear PVC fabric.

Disadvantages � Must be rolled up by hand and can’t be automated with an electric motor. � Can be a hassle to roll up by yourself. � Blinds need to be cleaned from time to time to remove hand marks. � Must be either all the way up or secured to the ground. Can’t adjust the height to half way.



Café Blinds

The Café Blind is our most popular option and does a great job in a wide range of settings. The go to option for most commercial users.

Advantages � Pulls nice and tight for a smooth appearance. � Very few wrinkles or view distortion. � Manual or automatic roll up available. � Excellent all round option. Blocks rain and most of the wind. � Up to 3.2m high and up to 5m wide (per blind). � 1.00mm triple ply PVC fabric.



Zippy Blinds

This is the crème de la crème option for discerning property owners who want to create an outdoor room experience and totally seal off space from the wind and rain. Zippy blinds are becoming very popular with high-end restaurants and people who want tables right out to the edge of the property.

Advantages � Zipped outer edge totally blocks all wind and rain. � Stops insects from coming inside. � Manual or automatic roll up available. � Can be adjusted to any height and remain tight. Does not have to be either all the way up or down. � Up to 3.0m high and 4.0m wide per blind. � Creates a sleek and sophisticated look.

Disadvantages � More expensive. � Zips and tracks require occasional maintenance, particularly around coastal environments. � Requires more installation skill and precision as clearance tolerances are much lower.



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Should I choose manual wind up or an automatic system?For most people a manual wind up system is fine, particularly if you only have one blind to adjust and don’t mind taking a few minutes to hand crank your blinds up and down. However, we have noticed more people are opting for the convenience of the remote controlled automatic wind up system recently.

What people like about the automatic roll up system:

• You can adjust the blinds anytime without disturbing your customers or getting in the way. This is a big deal for hospitality businesses who want to eliminate any risk of distracting or annoying customers.

• Your staff will spend less time rolling blinds up and down, freeing them up to take care of other things. Many restaurants run 5 - 10 blinds, so pay for at least half an hour to 45 minutes of time every day adjusting the blinds (based on 4 minutes per blind).

• Looks more professional deploying the remote-control system vs manual wind up.

• Because the process is so easy the blinds are more likely to be used throughout the day by your staff. So your customers are comfortable and content. You won’t look outside and get mad thinking that the blinds should be down!

• No cumbersome blind crank to lose or find a place to store.

• Eliminates the tedium of hand cranking blinds up and down.

Recommendation: For hospitality users, the investment in an automatic roller system makes good sense. The added investment will end up paying off big time in the end with cost savings and customer comfort. Your staff will thank you for it!



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4 dangers of choosing the wrong service provider1. No one available when you need help with servicing. For many hospitality users blinds are an

important tool to keep customers comfortable every day. If a blind is damaged is or out of action, your business can start to suffer. From time to time you will need service support. Like after a storm or following vandalism. When you need help you usually want a technician on site within 24 hours to minimise lost business.

Cheaper blinds on the other hand, are made by a mass manufacturer and installed by a contractor. They are not set up for ongoing servicing and repairs. If something goes wrong you will need to replace the entire blind, and you definitely won’t have anyone onsite within 24 hours. This turns out to be more expensive and cause expensive downtime for your business.

2. No replacement parts or the blind can’t be repaired. Some commercial providers sell blinds which look great but aren’t back up with replacements parts, or simply can’t be repaired. Over time you may need to replace a tensioning gearbox or fix up a ripped panel damaged by vandals. It’s usually cheaper to repair the problem than throw away the blind away and start again.

3. Your blinds wear out after a few years. Commercial blinds should be built with quality materials proven to work in Australian conditions. Don’t get caught out buying blinds built offshore designed for less demanding climates. These blinds will look great for the first couple of years but you will find the clear fabric will become brittle and the metal components will start to corrode and fail. Over the long run, it’s cheaper to invest in a quality system right from the start.

4. Shoddy installation job. Installing blinds properly takes care and attention to detail. Blinds have lots of moving parts and must be installed square and level to work properly. Otherwise, the fabric will start to bunch on one side and jam up. This is easier said than done, particularly with Zippy blinds. As a business owner, you want to be sure your outdoor environment is safe and free from hazards. Like exposed ground connections (trip hazard) or sharp edges on metal mounting points.



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Important differences between quality blinds and a “cheaper” alternativeHere’s how quality blinds are different and why you should care.

1. Built from materials proven to work for 10+ years in Australian conditions. Australia has severe weather and many shade related products simply can’t handle it. Every component in a quality commercial blind from the gearbox, to the fabric, to all of the metal connections are sourced carefully. We only use material proven in the long run.

2. Built from the world’s best clear fabric. When it comes to clear fabric there is a proven world leader. The Achilles brand manufactured in Japan. Achilles stands head and shoulders above even the European fabrics. Achilles has excellent supplety and shrink resistance, and superior UV degradation performance. This means your blind will stay transparent and flexible long after a cheaper blind would have started to “yellow” and become brittle.

3. Welded not stitched. Quality outdoor blind panels are never stitched together. Stitching creates a weak point in the fabric which can lead to tearing and problems with waterproofing. Instead, quality blinds use a special radio frequency welding process to bond the fabric panels together. This gives the panels a rock-solid bond and the strength to handle Sydney’s demanding weather.

4. Custom Built. Quality blinds are built to suit your property and tastes. You choose from different colors and fabrics to get exactly what you want. Your blinds will be built to the height and width you require and you won’t be limited by module sizes. Branding and custom prints are also becoming a popular option. We can work with you to develop something special to suit your situation.

5. Backed up with servicing and replacement parts. Installing your blinds is one thing. Keeping them running smoothly for years is another. Quality blinds come with access to a servicing to team, so you avoid expensive delays and downtime. Quality blinds are also supported by a range of replacement parts and are designed to allow repairs, so you get a long working life from each blind.

6. Great to use and built to last. Quality blinds are carefully designed and great to use. You won’t be frustrated with flimsy parts and clunky design. Instead, your blinds will be robust stylish and cleverly designed.



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How to choose a reputable operator to do the job properly1. At least 10 years’ experience working directly with hospitality and commercial users. It takes years

to master design and construction decisions and build up an understanding of what works. You don’t want someone learning the hard way on your job.

2. Deal direct with a local company who owns and controls the entire process – design, fabrication, and installation. This gives you a better price (with no middleman taking a margin) and the assurance of accountability if anything goes wrong later down the line.

3. Able to provide product back up and servicing. Don’t be left stranded if you need help with servicing in the future.

4. Uses fabrics proven to work in Australian conditions. You don’t want to risk it with cheaper second tier materials.

5. Able to custom build for your situation with real care and craftsmanship. Also able to get your job completed on time, with the scale and resources to hit deadlines even when challenges arise on site as they often do!

6. Has invested in specialist manufacturing equipment and factory facilities. Sophisticated tools like computerised fabric plotter cutters and high-power radio frequency welder. You will notice a big difference in the finished product.

Factory facilities also mean installation time is minimised. Why? Most of the preassembly and preparation work takes place in the factory, not at your property. This can save significant business interference on larger jobs.

7. Comprehensive warranty. Look for an iron clad warranty package over the entire system. Not just the fabric skin. Many warranty packages are misleading and only cover fabric replacement costs and not labour and repairs. Don’t be caught out with nasty surprises.

8. Look for a proven track record on a range of larger scale projects and testimonies from happy customers.



What others have to say…Franco from Alfresco Shade was professional, proactive and got the job done. His experience and input was refreshing helping us to get the best signage and shade solution. Turn around time was efficient and update calls, emails, and photos helped with a smooth process. Great Work!

Christian – Maggios Café

Our old blinds had worn out and the remote control motors had stopped working from neglectful use from staff members. Happy with the installation. Happy with the end product (10 x zippy blinds). Happy with follow up service with Alfresco Shade.

Frank Teplicanel – Ravesis Hotel, Bondi Beach

We hope this educational guide has been useful and has empowered you with the information to make a more informed decision about the right outdoor blind for your property.

Want to you learn more about transforming your Restaurant or Café?

Book your FREE no obligation Design Consultation and learn more about how Alfresco Outdoor Blinds can help transform your outdoor area. You will receive a FREE no-pressure design consultation with recommendations on fabric selection, design configuration and installation details and more…

Call 1300 798 700 or email [email protected]

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What you need to know about Outdoor Blinds...Blinds help you retain heat in the winter months giving you a cozy space and minimal heating costs. Blinds let you seal the space off and