Are ZIP Blinds Worth It? Common Questions for NZ Pergolas and Decks
A roof keeps off the sun and rain that come from above. On many New Zealand decks the bigger nuisance comes from the side: wind, rain blown in at an angle, low sun, or a neighbour's window. ZIP blinds are made for that.
So, are ZIP blinds worth it? If your pergola or covered deck gets wind, rain or low sun from one or more sides, or you want more privacy, usually yes. If the space is already sheltered and overhead shade is enough, they may not be the first thing to spend on.
Below are the questions we are asked most often, with short answers. If you already know you want blinds, you can request a quote and talk it through with our team.
What exactly is a ZIP blind?
A ZIP blind is an outdoor roller blind with the fabric edges held inside a channel on each side. The fabric runs down the channels as the blind lowers and stays under tension from top to bottom.
A standard roller blind hangs free at the sides, so it moves in the wind and leaves a gap along each edge. A ZIP blind sits flatter and closes most of that gap.
Our ZIP blinds are motorised and made to measure. You choose the fabric and colour to suit the space.
Why would a covered pergola still need blinds?
A roof only covers the top. Depending on the site, the sides can let in:
- Low sun. Morning and late afternoon sun comes in under the roof line.
- Wind. An exposed deck can be uncomfortable on a windy day even when it is dry.
- Rain from the side. Wind can push rain onto the outer part of a covered deck.
- Views in. A neighbour, a street or a shared boundary can make the space feel exposed.
ZIP blinds on one or more sides deal with these. They work with a louvre roof, a retractable patio roof or another covered structure.
How do ZIP blinds handle New Zealand wind?
The fabric edges sit inside the side channels for the full height of the blind, so wind pressure is carried by both channels instead of a loose edge. That is why ZIP blinds suit windy decks and patios better than blinds with free edges. Our ZIP blinds have a wind resistance of up to 120 km/h.
Sites differ, so we look at how exposed yours is when we measure, and talk through which sides take the most weather.
Do ZIP blinds keep the rain out?
With the blinds down, most rain that blows in from the side stays off the deck. Under a roof that is waterproof when closed, that gives you a covered space you can still use on a wet day. The same blind also gives shade and privacy, so many people choose it for the side facing the neighbours as much as for the weather side.
How much sun and UV do ZIP blinds block?
A lowered blind cuts glare and UV from low sun, for you and for your outdoor furniture. Our ZIP blind fabric has a UV Protection Factor of 80+.
New Zealand has high UV levels in the warmer months, and SunSmart NZ lists shade as one of the main ways to reduce exposure. A roof shades you from overhead sun. Blinds add shade at the sides, where late afternoon sun comes in.
Depending on the fabric you choose, a lowered blind also reduces the view in from outside during the day.
Are ZIP blinds worth it compared with other outdoor blinds?
For most pergolas and covered decks, yes. The side channels are the main reason. This table compares three common types.
| What you care about | ZIP blinds | Standard outdoor roller blind | Strap down clear PVC blind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behaviour in wind | Edges held in side channels, fabric stays under tension | Free edges, can move in wind | Held by straps or clips at points along the edge |
| Gaps along the sides | Reduced, edges sit in the channels | Open along both sides | Small gaps between fixing points |
| Raising and lowering | Motorised, remote control | Simple, needs care in wind | Unclipped and rolled by hand |
| Look when raised | Rolls up at the top of the opening | Visible roll | Rolled up and strapped |
A standard roller blind can be enough in a sheltered spot where you only want shade. Clear strap down blinds suit people who want a clear wall and do not mind clipping and unclipping it. ZIP blinds make more sense when you want a side you can lower with a remote and that copes better with wind.
Our pergola blinds and ZIP blinds page shows the range and the full specification.
Which sides of your pergola should get ZIP blinds?
Not every side needs one. Many homeowners start with the one or two sides that bother them most and leave the rest open.
- The weather side. The side the wind and rain usually come from is the first candidate.
- The sun side. Check where low sun reaches at the time of day you use the space most.
- The privacy side. A side facing a neighbour or the street can have a blind you lower when you want privacy.
- The view side. If one side faces the garden or the water, you may prefer to leave it open.
Each ZIP blind is made to measure for its opening, so we measure each side you want covered.
How are ZIP blinds operated day to day?
Our ZIP blinds are motorised and run from a remote control. Remotes come in 1, 2, 5 or 9 channel versions, so you can run each blind on its own or move several together.
We confirm the control setup with you at the measure and include it in your quote.
What should you know before asking for a ZIP blinds quote?
ZIP blinds are made to measure and priced per project. The quote depends on:
- How many sides you want to cover and the size of each opening
- The fabric and colour you choose
- How you want the blinds grouped on the remote
- The structure they attach to, such as a louvre roof or a retractable patio roof
A few photos of the space and a note on which sides bother you most are a useful start.
What happens after you ask for a quote?
The process includes a site measure, custom manufacture and installation. The measure is where the main decisions are made: which sides to cover, which fabric to use and how the blinds will be controlled. After that you have a plan and a price for your space.
If you are planning a new louvre roof, it helps to plan the blinds at the same time so the channels and the roof line work together.
You are welcome to visit our showroom at 177 Morrin Road, Saint Johns, Auckland, to talk through how blinds would work with your space, or call us on 0800 006 888.
Request your free measure and quote and our team will be in touch.
What else do people ask about ZIP blinds?
Can I see through ZIP blinds?
Depending on the fabric you choose, yes. You can see out during the day while the blind cuts glare, and the view in from outside is reduced. It is worth looking at fabric samples before you decide.
Can ZIP blinds be used all year round?
Yes. With a roof overhead, you can lower the blinds in cooler, windier or wetter weather and raise them when it is warm, so the space gets used across more of the year.
What warranty comes with ZIP blinds?
Our ZIP blinds come with a 3 year warranty. Warranty on the rest of an outdoor structure varies by component.
Do ZIP blinds work with a louvre roof?
Yes. ZIP blinds are often fitted with a louvre roof to enclose the sides of the space, and you can raise or lower them to suit the weather.