Outdoor blinds and awnings are an excellent way to protect your home from the hot summer sun, cut down on your cooling expenses and achieve optimum privacy.
By following a few simple tips, it’s easy to prolong their lifespan and ensure they are looking good all year round!
Store away during bad weather
It might sound obvious, but safely storing away outdoor blinds and awnings in bad weather is crucial to ensuring their longevity and maintaining their good condition.
So often, outdoor awnings are forgotten as homeowners prepare for oncoming storms by closing windows, clearing gutters and tank screens and putting away items such as bikes and tools.
Instead, rolling up and securing your outdoor blinds and awnings should be a mandatory part of preparing your home for the onslaught of adverse weather, as recently seen on the Sunshine Coast as the after effects of Cyclone Debbie wreaked havoc.
While outdoor blinds are designed to withstand light rain, you want to avoid leaving them down in heavy rain which can damage the fabric or in high winds which in a worst-case scenario could tear the product.
Choose products to suit your local conditions
All the outdoor products supplied and fitted by North Coast Blinds & Security have been specially manufactured for maximum durability and strength and made from components that have been engineered to last in Australia’s harsh weather conditions.
Make sure you choose products that are made from proven durable fabrics. Many of the fabrics we use are manufactured in Australia to suit local conditions.
Consider choosing the optional metal headbox when you purchase a fabric awning as it provides complete protection for your Automatic Roll-up Fabric Awning when retracted.
And if you live close the beach, also consider the Stainless Steel self-locking arms and guide rails that will help reduce the impact of the salty sea air on your awnings.
Clean your awnings regularly
Like any item, outdoor blinds and awnings need proper maintenance to keep looking good and provide the best protection for your home.
Mould or mildew will damage your awnings if not cleaned off on a regular basis.
The best way to protect your awnings is to hose them down every month to remove any dust or dirt.
Mould and mildew grows on the dust itself, not on your awnings fabric.
Avoid using detergents or abrasive cleaners which could remove the coating that protects your awnings from dust and stains.
If your awnings become stained with mildew, use a mildew remover rather than bleach.
While bleach will kill the mildew it will also cause discolouration to your awning’s fabric.
Instead use a mildew remover like the one you use in your bathroom.
Use your garden hose to wet your awnings completely before you start spraying the mildew remover.
Let it soak for a little while and then scrub the mildew stains with a brush with plenty of water.
Make sure to rinse well and leave your awnings unrolled in the sun until completely dry.