QUESTIONS WE GET ASKED

Blinds, Shutters and Screens FAQs

Answers to the questions we get asked most by homeowners, landlords and businesses across Hervey Bay, Maryborough and the Fraser Coast. If your question isn’t here, call us or send it through the form and we’ll get back to you.

Quotes and pricing

Is the measure and quote really free?

Yes. There’s no charge and no obligation. We come out, measure every window, show you samples and leave you a written quote. If you decide not to go ahead, that’s the end of it.

Why can't you give me a price over the phone?

Because every blind and shutter is made to measure, and the price depends on things we can only check on site: the exact size of each window, how it needs to be mounted, the fabric or finish you choose and how the blind is operated. A phone price would just be a guess, and it’s usually wrong.

Can I get a quote for just one or two windows?

Yes. Small jobs are welcome. Plenty of people start with the bedroom that gets the morning sun or the sliding door that lets the heat in, then do the rest of the house later.

What affects the price the most?

Product type first: plantation shutters and motorised blinds cost more than standard roller blinds. After that it’s window size, the fabric or finish, and whether the windows are an unusual shape or hard to reach. We itemise the quote so you can see where the money goes and swap products room by room if you need to.

Choosing the right blinds

What's the difference between blockout, light-filtering and sunscreen fabric?

Blockout fabric stops almost all light, so it’s used in bedrooms and media rooms. Light-filtering fabric gives privacy but lets soft light through, which suits living areas. Sunscreen fabric is a mesh that cuts glare and heat while you can still see out during the day. At night, with the lights on inside, people can see in through sunscreen fabric, so bedrooms usually need blockout as well.

Roller blinds or venetians: which is better?

Roller blinds are simpler, cheaper per window and come in more fabrics. Venetians let you angle the slats to control light and privacy without raising the blind. Aluminium venetians are a good pick for kitchens and bathrooms because they handle moisture and wipe clean. Many homes end up with rollers in most rooms and venetians in the wet areas.

Vertical blinds or panel glides for a sliding door?

Both work. Vertical blinds are the cheaper option and let you angle the vanes. Panel glides use wide fabric panels that slide across on a track, which looks cleaner and more modern on large doors. If budget is the main concern, go vertical. If it’s a feature door in the main living area, panel glides are worth considering.

Are motorised blinds worth it?

For high windows, large windows and rooms where you open and close the blinds every day, yes. You can run them from a remote, a wall switch, your phone or a timer. For a standard bedroom window you can easily reach, a chain or spring blind does the job for less.

Which blinds are safest in a home with young children?

Australian safety rules require loose blind cords to be secured so children can’t reach them, and every corded blind we install is fitted with the required cord safety devices. For children’s bedrooms, cordless options such as spring-operated rollers, wand-controlled blinds or motorised blinds remove the risk entirely.

Plantation shutters

Timber, PVC or aluminium shutters: which should I choose?

Timber plantation shutters have the most natural look and suit dry living areas and bedrooms. PVC shutters look similar but handle moisture, so they’re the choice for bathrooms, laundries and kitchens. Aluminium shutters are the toughest and are used outdoors and close to the water, where salt air would damage timber. Plenty of homes use a mix.

Do plantation shutters keep the house cooler?

They help. Closed shutters block direct sun and the frame seals the window better than most blinds, which cuts heat coming in during summer and heat escaping in winter. They won’t do as much as an outdoor blind or awning, which stops the sun before it reaches the glass, but they make a noticeable difference in west-facing rooms.

Do plantation shutters add value to a home?

They’re one of the few window coverings buyers notice, and they usually stay with the house when you sell. We can’t promise a sale price increase, but shutters in the main living areas do help a home present better at inspections.

Outdoor blinds and awnings

Can outdoor blinds stay down in strong wind?

Zipscreens and channel-guided blinds are held at the sides, so they handle wind far better than blinds that hang free. Even so, every outdoor blind should be raised in storms and very strong winds. If your patio is exposed to the south-easterly, tell us at the measure and we’ll recommend a system that suits.

Outdoor blind or awning: which do I need?

An awning sits above a window or door and shades the glass while leaving the view and airflow open. An outdoor blind drops down to enclose a patio, verandah or balcony against sun, wind and rain. For a hot window, an awning is usually the answer. For an outdoor living area you want to use in all weather, go with an outdoor blind.

Security screens and roller shutters

What's the difference between a security screen and a flyscreen?

A flyscreen keeps insects out and nothing else. A security screen uses a much stronger mesh in a reinforced frame, fixed so it can’t be pushed or cut out easily. Genuine security screens are built and tested to the Australian Standard for security screen doors and window grilles (AS 5039), so check that any product you’re quoted meets it.

Can I still see out through a security screen?

Yes. Stainless steel mesh screens are designed to keep the view and let the breeze through. From outside during the day, they also make it harder to see in, which adds some privacy.

Do roller shutters help in a storm?

They give good protection from hail and wind-blown debris, and they block heat and light almost completely. For storm protection, ask about the product’s wind rating at the measure, and make sure you can operate the shutters manually if the power goes out.

Care, warranty and repairs

How do I clean my blinds?

For most roller blinds, a light vacuum with a brush attachment or a wipe with a damp cloth is enough. Aluminium venetians and PVC shutters can be wiped with warm soapy water. Close to the beach, give hardware and outdoor blinds a rinse with fresh water every few months to wash off salt. Avoid harsh chemicals, which can damage fabrics and coatings.

What warranty comes with your products?

Warranties depend on the product and the manufacturer, and you’ll get the details in writing with your quote. If something goes wrong with a product we’ve installed, call us first and we’ll sort out the claim.

Can you repair or replace parts on blinds you didn't install?

Often, yes. Broken chains, springs and brackets on roller blinds and venetians can usually be replaced. If a blind is old or parts are no longer available, we’ll tell you whether a repair or a new blind is better value.

Still have a question?

Call (07) 4357 7706 or send us your question, and we’ll get back to you. The measure and quote are free.

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