<SilverScreen 2% roller blind fabric,
which provides solar reflection of
up to 82 per cent while still maintaining
excellent view-through.
Motorisation, too, is increasingly
sophisticated. “One of the biggest
advances in motorisation is battery
technology,” says Simon Meyer,
managing director at Blinds by Peter
Meyer. “The newest battery-powered
systems negate the need to call an
electrician to wire up your windows,
which can save you a fortune.”
To keep indoor temperatures down
on hot days, it’s best to prevent heat
from entering your home in the first
place. Exterior window shading such as
outdoor blinds, venetians and awnings
helps keep your interior comfortable
and results in significant energy
savings. Markilux’s outdoor screen
fabrics, for example, will absorb or
reflect up to 70 per cent of the sun’s
rays, while Alpha Awnings Series
shades can reduce cooling costs by
up to 58 per cent.
To make a terrace or deck more
comfortable year-round, choose fromawnings, retractable roofs, shade
sails and fixed pergolas. Motorised
retractable roofs allow you to open or
seal an area completely, and can be
connected to sun and rain sensors
so they operate automatically.
Retractable folding-arm awnings are
popular as they allow full control over
the level of sun in your outdoor area and
disappear from view when not in use.
Some models have integrated extras,
such as heating elements and LED
lighting. With small-space living on the
rise, Luxaflex has recently released a
compact style, the Terrace Folding Arm
Awning, which ranges from 1.5x1.5m
to 4x4m, and can extend the covered
area to 13x4m in size. At the other end
of the spectrum, you’ll find super-sized
awnings from companies such as
Markilux that cater to areas up to 21m
wide. “Now, at the push of a button you
can transform a cold, dark patio into
a warm, well-lit area to enjoy at any
time,” says Kieran Keen, technical sales
specialist and marketing officer at
Markilux. “It’s all about making life as
easy and comfortable as possible.”#Internalwindowcoveringsprovideinsulationand
privacy; external blinds are best for keeping out heat.PERFECT PAIRING
To maximise the energy efficiency
of your home, Simon Meyer
recommends a combination of
both interior and exterior window
coverings. “Not only will the blinds
inside your home provide
insulation, they’ll offer a level of
privacy that external blinds can’t
always provide. External blinds are
excellent at keeping the heat out
but even the strongest system isn’t
designed to be left down in all
weather conditions. Make sure you
opt for solution-dyed acrylics
rather than yarn-dyed fabrics
foryourexteriorshades–they’ll
last much longer and are less
likely to fade.”
ABOVEStraight-drop awning
in Everview Plus PVC-polyester
external screen fabric in
Fungi, Alpha Awning Series.
RIGHTWave curtains in Someo
Trevira CS fabric, Silent Gliss. Room designed by MIM Design & Matt Gibson Architecture (opposite). Photograph by Shannon McGrath (opposite). Artwork by Brett Whiteley. For Where to Buy, see page 188.166 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN