Pros and Cons of Shade Mesh vs Clear PVC Outdoor Blinds

We often find ourselves running through the pros and cons of shade mesh and clear PVC as alterative materials for outdoor blinds. 

Over many years of installation experience we have observed what works well in what situations what considerations there are to work through to make sure you get the result you are after. Here are some thoughts and comments:

Clear PVC
  • Is obviously fully transparent so there may be reason to select this as the optimum choice
  • Provides wind and rain protection
  • Does not provide sun protection
  • Is 100 % waterproof as a material
  • It does degenerate over time and will fade to a cloudy colour
  • Shows creases and crease marks may stay as white marks on the material
  • Can get very warm inside the clear PVC 
  • Is not breathable and does not allow for air movement through the material
  • Maximum roll width for clear PVC is 1350mm therefore there tends to be more seams with this material choice than with shade mesh
  • PVC blinds tend to shrink and grow - they show distinct changes in characteristics depending on hot or cold weather
Shade mesh 
  • Provides an element of privacy
  • Gives sun, wind and rain protection
  • Comes in a variety of colour options
  • Shade mesh is still transparent - can be seen out of but not into.
  • Allows air to circulate and maintain a more regulated environment
  • Although not 100% rain proof, shade mesh will provide an element of protection against the rain. Rain tends to hit the shade mesh and fall to the ground on the outside of the blind, the small proportion of water in a heavier rain fall that would make its way inside the perforations of the mesh don't travel very far.
  • Blinds can generally be made in one single sheet of material minimising seams within the blind.
  • Very stable fabric, doesn't shrink or expand.

"Awning solves our problem with direct sunlight and difficulty with putting up any other kind of shade. Service was extremely good. Very prompt response, helpful advice and friendly approach. It was refreshing to deal with a supplier who responded straight away to our request and kept us regularly updated on progress."

Alice & Mark 

Folding Arm Awning

"After a number of alternative providers failed to attend scheduled quotation appointments we contact Tim at 4.00pm. Tim was immediately proactive and set an appointment at our house at 8.30 the next day. In the meantime, Tim mailed photographs to give us an indication of his work. True to his word, Tim attended and provided us a quote on the spot. Later that day we accepted and agreed on an installation date. The product was delivered and installed on the agreed date. We are very happy with Tim's service and advice, the product itself and the final result. We would recommend East Coast Shade Design, Thanks."

Craig F

Hornsby

Installed Skyspan Retractable Umbrella: "Is an attractive addition to our home entertaining area - neighbours comment favourably. Service: Especially good from order to installation and subsequently, obvious interest in our satisfaction levels was most gratifying. It is a pleasure to do business with East Coast Shade Design."

Dianne V

Dudley

"Excellent - very happy with quality of sails and strength of posts and fittings. Patience and input into design was very much appreciated - end result was perfect. Delivered more than was promised in service, timeliness and effect. Amazing turnaround times - completed significantly earlier than promised."

Emma & Angus H

Maitland

"Very Good Service. Prompt to quote and install. Awning looks great and was exactly what we wanted."

Harol 230 Folding Arm Awning

"Very impressed with the quality of materials used and very cost competitive compared with my other quotes. First Class Service - very timely service. I very much enjoyed having Tim do the work - very professional and reliable and shows great enthusiasm in his work."

James Harrison

Chatswood

"Great creative insight into design - withstands the weather and supports our need for shade. Regular Communication meant work proceeded efficiently and friendly manner. It looks great, kids happy, we're happy."

Karrawong Kindy

Shade Sails:  "Excellent and prompt. Clean and neat (& cheerful) work. Tim Davies was very helpful and patient."

Max & Lorraine Lowery

Mt Errington Early Learning Centre

"We love our new awning. It is easy to use and looks great. Service: Excellent. Friendly. Good Follow-up. Informative. Didn't push me to spend more - recommended what was necessary. We are very happy with end result and it blends with our house as if it was meant to be there all along."

Melinda C

Manly

Outdoor blind installation: "Very helpful, kept informed at all times - installed blind very quickly without disruption. Happy to have done business - would use again."

Neil Hunter

Campus Central, Ourimbah

"Thanks to Tim an and the team for a very professional installation of our new motorised awning. We were very impressed with the product, and with the detailed investigation and resolution of the mounting details and installation process ."

Chris

New Lambton

"The sail that we had installed is excellent in both workmanship and quality. It is better than we imagined and provides us with our desired requirement of privacy and shade. The service provided by Tim is exceptional. His expertise and attention to detail was invaluable enabling us to work together to achieve the desired result even though the area to be covered was unusual and complicated in design. Tim understood the importance of getting our sail exactly right and we are delighted with the result. We would have no hesitation in recommending East Coast Shade Design to anyone considering installing a shade sail. Tim kept us informed from beginning to end of the project."

Paul and Jill

Ashfield

"Heavy sail material, powder-coated posts, stainless fittings all look like a quality product. Excellent communications and Tim is there when he says he will be."

Terry W

Request a Quote

Request a quote online for any of our shade products.

master builders association

MBA Membership Number 1854663.
Timothy Davies, Contractor (Builder) Licence No 173020C.

We supply and install throughout the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast and Northern suburbs of Sydney.

Shade Design
Galleries
Contact Us
  • Rathmines, NSW 2283
  • Call. 1300 668 187