“I cannot believe we still get the same view with these screens installed. They blend in seamlessly and work perfectly.”
Lisa Elliot
Outdoor blinds and strong wind
The right operating guidance depends on your screen, fabric and site. Retract before severe weather and follow the instructions for your installation.
Start with the instructions for your screen
Captured side tracks retain the fabric, but they do not make an outdoor blind storm protection. Wind loads change with the size and fabric of the blind and with the building around it. A weather forecast or a Beaufort description is not a product rating.
Manual Ziptrak blinds
In windy conditions, keep the blind either fully retracted or fully down and locked. Halfway down is a vulnerable position. Before very strong winds, storms or severe weather, retract it fully.
Wind pressure can make a spring-balanced blind harder to move. Do not force it. Operate from the centre and follow the Ziptrak user guidance.
Motorised Executive screens
Retract before severe weather and use the operating guidance supplied for your configuration. If wind pressure is affecting movement, stop rather than forcing the screen through repeated operation. Keep the travel path clear.
An optional wind sensor can retract the screen as wind rises. We confirm the controls and settings for your installation. Phantom explains its sensor options and recommends retracting screens in very strong winds in its manufacturer FAQ.
Mesh and clear PVC behave differently
Air passes through mesh. Clear PVC presents a solid panel, so do not assume the same size or exposure is suitable for both. We assess the opening, fabric and fixings before recommending a system.
If a damp blind must be retracted for protection, lower it to dry when conditions allow. Follow the care guide for cleaning and storage.
Choosing a screen for an exposed opening
Send photographs, rough sizes and a description of the site’s exposure with your enquiry. We can compare Executive motorised screens and Ziptrak manual blinds for the space.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is there one safe wind speed for every outdoor blind? +
No. Size, fabric, fixings, exposure and the product all matter. A laboratory strength test is not an operating wind rating for every installation. We explain the applicable guidance at handover.
Should Ziptrak blinds be left halfway down in wind? +
No. In windy conditions, keep them fully retracted or fully down and locked. Before very strong winds, storms or severe weather, retract them fully.
Does a wind sensor help? +
An optional sensor can retract an Executive screen as wind rises. It is an additional aid, not a reason to leave screens exposed to an approaching storm.