Frequently Asked Questions

Pick by exposure. If the opening is sheltered (a covered courtyard, a patio with a roof), a straight-drop outdoor blind does the job for less money. If the opening is exposed to wind — a balcony, a waterfront property, an upper floor — the zip-guided track is what stops the fabric flapping and pulling out of the sides, so Zipscreen is the better long-term buy. Typical averages in Sydney: outdoor and cafe blinds $300–$800 per opening; Zipscreen $800–$2,500 per opening. Both figures are averages, not quotes.

They do different jobs. An external awning blocks the sun before it hits the glass, so it is the stronger choice for heat on a west wall. An outdoor blind controls wind, glare and rain on an opening you sit behind. If you have both problems, most Sydney homes do the awning on the hot windows first and add the blind where the weather comes in. Typical averages: window awnings $200–$600 per window; folding-arm awnings $1,500–$4,000 manual or $3,000–$7,000+ motorised; outdoor blinds $300–$800 per opening.

A roller blind gives the tightest light seal, especially with side channels mounted outside the reveal — that is the closest thing to true blackout. Curtains give a softer look, better insulation and better sound absorption, but light still passes around the edges. For a bedroom where darkness matters, many customers do both: blockout roller inside the reveal, curtains over it.

Shutters are a permanent fixture: no cords, good airflow control, and they add to how a room looks. They do not fully block light — the louvre gaps and frame edges still let light through. Roller blinds are cheaper per window and, with the right fabric and side channels, darker. Shutters suit living areas and street-facing windows; blockout blinds suit bedrooms.

A retractable flyscreen is for insects and airflow on a door or window you open and close. Zipscreen is for weather — wind, rain, glare — on an opening you sit behind. They solve different problems and are often installed together: flyscreens on the doors, Zipscreen across the outdoor opening.

Yes, for heat. An external awning or screen blocks solar radiation before it hits the glass; indoor blinds only deal with heat that has already come through. On a west-facing window the difference is significant. For the best result, combine external shading with an indoor blockout blind.

Mesh blocks wind, glare and insects while keeping airflow and some view, so it suits hot, sunny patios. Clear PVC blocks wind and rain and keeps the full view, suiting colder or wind-driven spots — but choose UV-stabilised PVC, because cheap PVC yellows and cracks in Australian sun.

Worth it for wide, tall or hard-to-reach openings, for linked blinds on large spans, and for anything exposed to wind where an automatic wind sensor will retract the blind for you. For a standard bedroom window or a sheltered door, a quality manual unit does the same job for less. Motorisation typically adds to the price — see the price summary on this page and the products guide for detail.

Choose pet-grade mesh: a heavier PVC-coated weave that resists clawing. No mesh is indestructible, but pet-grade holds up far better than standard fibreglass. We recommend it for any home with cats or medium-to-large dogs.

In most cases yes. Anything that changes the building's external appearance — Zipscreen, outdoor blinds, an awning — usually needs written owners-corporation approval and sometimes a by-law. Internal window coverings generally do not. Get approval before you order, because you cannot install without it.

Often yes, and it can be removed. Indoor blinds and curtains usually fix into the existing reveal or a tension-mounted track. Outdoor products fix into existing structure — soffit, beam or balcony ceiling — with a small number of fixing points, and we can work with what is already there. Talk to us about the least invasive option and, if needed, get your landlord's OK in writing first.

Zipscreen. The zip-guided side tracks hold the fabric taut so it cannot flap or pull out. On an exposed opening we also recommend a heavier fabric grade and, for larger spans, a motorised unit with a wind sensor. Note that coastal salt and high wind can affect warranty terms — ask us to confirm yours before you order.

Plantation shutters and motorised blinds: neither has a hanging cord or chain. If you choose a chain-operated blind, ask for a chain safety device — loose cords are the main hazard with blinds in a nursery or child's bedroom.

Start outside. External shading (a folding-arm awning or a window awning) stops the heat before it reaches the glass, which no indoor product can do. Then add blockout indoors for the rooms that stay hot. The combination works better than either alone. Read our West-Facing Sun Solutions guide for the full strategy.

Fabric, motor and hardware are covered across our range, but the term differs by product. Our retractable flyscreens and Zipscreen both carry a 3-year warranty covering fabric, motor and hardware against manufacturing defects. On other products the exact term is confirmed in writing at quote stage — because terms vary by product, fabric grade and how the product is used.

Usually not. Wind and storm damage is commonly excluded, because fabric screens and awnings are designed for sun and shelter, not storms. The practical protection is an automatic wind sensor on a motorised unit, which retracts the product when wind goes above a safe level.

Not always. Motors are commonly covered for a shorter term than the frame or fabric — 12–24 months is typical on pergola motors, and separate call-out fees can apply. Ask about motor cover specifically, and about servicing, before you commit.

Call us on 0423 353 538 (Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm), email sales@syncblinds.com.au, or message us on WhatsApp and we reply within one business day. Because we make and install with our own teams — nothing is subcontracted — the people who fitted your job are the people who service it.

A consultant comes to your home with fabric swatches, material samples and product demos, so you see everything in your actual lighting. They measure every opening, talk through the options, and leave you with a fixed-price quote. Allow about an hour for a typical home. There is no obligation.

We call you within 24 hours to confirm a time. You can also reach us on 0423 353 538 or WhatsApp, Mon–Sat 8am–6pm.

It depends on the product. Custom curtains typically run 2–4 weeks (fabric arrives in 5–10 business days, then production and install). Flyscreens and Zipscreen are made to order in our Auburn workroom, so allow a similar window. We confirm a date when you order, not an estimate.

We install across Greater Sydney — the CBD, inner west, eastern suburbs, southern Sydney, Sutherland Shire, south west Sydney, western Sydney, the Hills District, the north shore and the northern beaches. Our workroom is in Auburn and we have been doing this since 2010.

Most single-product jobs are done in a few hours. There is some drilling into the reveal, frame or structure, so expect a little dust — we clean up afterwards. Fitting into masonry (common in Sydney apartments) takes longer than fixing into timber.

We do not recommend it for outdoor products. Zipscreen, awnings and outdoor blinds put real load on the fixing points in wind, and getting the substrate wrong is the most common cause of failure. Measure errors are also the most expensive mistake on made-to-measure products. Our price includes measure, make and install with a warranty — which self-install does not.

Yes, you can do one window. There is no minimum spend.