PVC vs Mesh Outdoor Blinds: Which Material Is Right for Your Perth Patio?

If you’re looking at whether to choose between PVC vs mesh outdoor blinds in Perth, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is the fabric. Mesh and PVC are the two most common material choices, and each performs very differently depending on what you need your blinds to do.

Generally, mesh is better suited to managing heat, glare and everyday weather for all-year-round protection, while PVC is better for full weather enclosure in the cooler months. Choosing the right one for your patio, alfresco or verandah comes down to how you use the space, and what conditions you need to manage across Perth’s seasons.

Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Mesh Outdoor Blinds

Mesh blinds filter sunlight and allow airflow while still providing privacy and UV protection, making them the most popular choice for Perth’s hot summers. Available in several different grades of blockout, mesh can block out the effects of the sun in summer and also keep out cold winds in winter, making it a versatile option for year-round use.

 

Best for:

• Managing heat and glare for sun affected areas
• Maintaining airflow through your outdoor area on warm days
• Privacy without losing your view 
• Creating an enclosed outdoor room to use all-year-round

Considerations:

• Mesh, whilst not a complete rain blockout, does provide very good rain protection, much better than you may initially think. This protection increases with the grade of blockout, increasing from 95% to 99% or 100%.
• Increasing the grade of blockout will provide greater protection, but also comes with a reduction in visibility. This trade-off comes down to personal choice and suitability for purpose.
• If your primary concern is keeping rain out completely, PVC should definitely be considered.
• If your primary concern is achieving weather protection all-year-long, mesh is the most versatile choice.

PVC Outdoor Blinds

PVC blinds create a full barrier against wind, rain and cold while keeping your views open. Available in clear and tinted options, PVC is ideal for winter entertaining and for enclosing patios and verandahs where you want complete weather protection.

Best for:

• Full weather enclosure against wind, rain, dust and insects
• Maintaining unobstructed views of the garden or surroundings (clear PVC)
• Restaurants and alfresco spaces that need protection in winter, but less so in warmer months
• Added glare reduction and privacy (tinted PVC)
• Creating an enclosed outdoor room for cooler months

Considerations:

• PVC does not allow airflow. Closing your PVC blinds on a warm but windy summer’s day may make your outdoor entertaining area too hot.
• PVC is best suited to cold, rainy conditions and is not as effective for warm weather.
• If you want protection from winter weather, but also need protection in the warmer months, mesh should also be considered.
• If you only require protection from the winter weather, whilst maintaining views, PVC is the best choice.

Combining PVC and Mesh on Different Sides

Many Perth homeowners don’t choose one or the other. Instead, they combine PVC and mesh across different sides of their outdoor area to get the best of both.

A common setup is clear PVC on the sides that face the prevailing wind and rain, and mesh on the sides that are exposed to the sun. This gives you full weather protection where you need it and airflow where you want it.

The right combination depends on the orientation of your property, how exposed the area is, and how you use the space. Kenlow can guide you through this during a free on-site consultation, where we assess your property and recommend the best fabric layout for your specific situation.

Another savvy solution is having mesh and PVC blinds back-to-back – utilising PVC in the cooler months, then switching to mesh blinds in the warmer months.

 

Other Fabric Options Worth Considering

While mesh and PVC are the most common choices, Kenlow also offers acrylic and canvas fabrics:

• Acrylic provides superior shade from the sun with 100% solution-dyed fabric for long-lasting colour. Available in both water-repellent and waterproof options, and the largest variety of colours and patterns. A strong choice where privacy and UV protection are the priorities. 
• Canvas provides excellent UV and weather protection along with superior privacy. It is a very durable, heavy fabric that works particularly well with traditionally styled homes and spaces.

For a full breakdown of all fabric options and how they perform across the seasons, our blog on outdoor blinds for every season covers this in detail.

Does the Blind System Matter?

Yes. The system you choose affects how well your blinds perform, regardless of the fabric. Track-guided systems like Ziptrak lock the fabric into side channels, eliminating gaps and providing a tight seal against wind. The top hood box and bottom rail weather seal complete the vertical enclosure. This is particularly important where the goal is full weather enclosure. Without a side and vertical seal, wind, draughts, water and insects can make their way into your space.

Kenlow’s Ziptrak blinds are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and maintain a taut appearance even during high winds. Ziptrak blinds feature a spring-balanced or motorised system, that makes them easy to raise and lower to any height with minimal effort. Kenlow is both an Authorised Fabricator and a Premium Retailer of Ziptrak blinds.

For areas where full enclosure is less critical, gear-operated drop blinds and traditional rope and pulley blinds, often called cafe blinds, which Perth cafes and homes have used for years, are reliable, cost-effective options that work well with both mesh and PVC fabrics. Rope and pulley blinds can also be fully enclosed with side track and zips, as well as a fabric valance for added weather protection along the floor.

Caring for PVC and Mesh Blinds

Both PVC and mesh blinds are low maintenance, but they do have different care requirements:

• Mesh and PVC: Clean with cold water and Swiftee outdoor blinds cleaner. Use a soft cloth for PVC blinds to avoid scratches. Do not use high-pressure washers.
• Acrylic and canvas: Clean with mild soap and water.
• All fabrics: Do not allow bird droppings, earth, sand or vegetable matter to remain in contact with the fabric. Avoid detergents, cleaning fluids, insecticides, petrol, oil, solvents or kerosene. Always allow your blinds to dry fully before rolling or retracting them.

For a complete care guide, our blog on caring for your outdoor blinds covers everything you need to know.

Why Choose Kenlow

Kenlow has been manufacturing outdoor blinds in Perth for over 50 years. All of our outdoor blinds are handmade at our Perth facility by our experienced team. We tailor recommendations based on your specific orientation, exposure and how you use the space, so you get the right fabric on the right side of your outdoor area.

Our process starts with a free on-site measure and quote. With over 50% of our customers being repeat clients or referrals, our reputation speaks for itself.

Get a Free Measure and Quote

Not sure whether mesh, PVC, acrylic or canvas is right for your Perth patio? Kenlow can help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation on-site measure and quote. Our team will assess your space and recommend the best fabric and system for your needs.

Call 1800 536 569 (1800 KENLOW) or request a free quote online.