It’s typical of Australian homes to blur the line between indoors and outdoors. Patios, alfresco kitchens, verandas, and poolside spaces function as living areas, so homeowners want outdoor blinds to reduce heat and withstand wind, rain, and constant use.
This leads most people to turn to the two prominent names in the market: Zipscreen and Ziptrak. These brands dominate the market not only because they offer sun protective and waterproof outdoor blinds but also because they promise a cleaner look and easier operation compared with older café blinds and rope-and-pulley systems.
Still, the two systems are not the same. Each has its own track design, fabric compatibility, operating method, and long-term performance profile. Buyers often ask about wind resistance, comfort, price, ease of use, and ongoing maintenance.
In this guide, we break down both systems clearly and fairly pit Ziptrak vs Zipscreen, so you can decide which suits your home and which product is the stronger, better all-around option.
What Is Zipscreen?
Zipscreen is a popular track-guided outdoor blind system developed by Rollease Acmeda. It was created to provide a sleek alternative to café blinds by using side channels and a bottom bar to hold the fabric in place. Zipscreen is often marketed for patios, alfresco areas, pergolas, and external windows, especially where homeowners want a cleaner aesthetic.
How the Zipscreen System Works
Zipscreen blinds operate using a side-channel zipper system called Z-LOCK™. This keeps the fabric within the tracks and prevents rattling during moderate wind. The blinds can be moved manually with a spring system or motorised for convenience. Motorised Zipscreen shades can also be integrated with smart-home systems and sun sensors.
Features, Fabrics, and Design Options
Zipscreen works with a wide range of outdoor blinds materials, including woven meshes as well as blockout and clear or tinted PVC for more enclosed areas. These fabrics block UV light, reduce heat, and provide privacy.
Design options include headboxes, open-roll styles, and different bottom bar shapes to match modern homes. Zipscreen outdoor blinds also feature unique side channels that offer up to 20mm adjustment per side, which helps in customising the fit of the blinds.
Zipscreen Blinds: Problems and Complaints
Although Zipscreen is widely used, feedback from installers and homeowners reveals certain recurring issues. Some users report fabric pulling out of the tracks during strong winds, even when the system is installed correctly. Others mention tension problems with the spring mechanism and difficulty raising the blind evenly.
The zipper can also stick or jam during harsh weather, and Zipscreen’s dated, basic bolt system may not be the most efficient. In very wide openings, the system can struggle to stay taut, which affects both the product’s appearance and performance. Zipscreen’s motorised outdoor blinds generally fare better, but fabric-tracking issues can still appear.
Zipscreen Pricing and What Affects Cost
The cost of outdoor blinds by Zipscreen vary depending on the fabric choice, the motor type, and the opening size. Clear PVC options usually cost more than mesh. The more complex the installation, the higher the labour component, and total costs increase once premium fabrics and motorisation are added.
What Is Ziptrak?
Ziptrak is a track-guided outdoor blind system invented in South Australia and now used widely across the country. It has built a reputation for reliability and ease of use, particularly in windy or exposed areas. Ziptrak blinds can block heat, wind, and rain, so they’re ideal for outdoor areas like patios, balconies, or restaurant seating areas. Many installers prefer Ziptrak because the track design tends to operate more smoothly, even after years of use.
How the Ziptrak System Works
Ziptrak uses a patented side-spline track that locks the fabric inside guided channels. The welded Kedar fabric edges glide smoothly in tracks without zippers, ensuring a tight fit and easy operation. It reduces gaps and movement and helps maintain consistent tension.
What sets Ziptrak apart is its spring-balanced operation. The blind glides up or down with light pressure, stopping at any height. There are no zippers, cords, or crank handles. Motorisation is also available for larger openings or more premium builds.
Features, Materials, and Build Advantages
Ziptrak outdoor blinds fabrics include durable outdoor meshes, coated polyester fabrics, and clear or tinted PVC. It’s also known for using Vistaweave. The hardware itself is engineered for strength using high-grade aluminium and a proven track profile. Homeowners often comment on how quietly the blinds move, even in larger spans (as in the case of roof-to-fence blinds). Another advantage is the tight bottom seal that keeps out wind-driven rain and reduces heat loss in cooler months.
Design choices include full or semi-enclosed headboxes, different track colours, and customised bottom rails. Overall, the Ziptrak system tends to look more integrated with the structure because of the snug track design.
Ziptrak Blinds: Problems to Be Aware Of
No outdoor blind system is perfect. Some Ziptrak users report difficulty with extremely wide spans (>3m), which is common across all track-guided systems. PVC panels need proper care to avoid creasing, and the bottom locks must be used correctly during windy weather. However, complaints about the fabric slipping out of the tracks or blinds becoming uneven are far less common compared with Zipscreen.
Cost of Ziptrak Blinds and Value for Money
Ziptrak may be more expensive upfront. The tracks, hardware, and components (like folding arm awnings) of Ziptrak are genuinely heavier-duty, and the spring system is more refined—features that can add to the total cost. However, it’s important to remember that quotes vary by installer. And for many homeowners, the slightly higher price translates into fewer adjustments over time, smoother use, and longer service life.
User Experiences and Reviews: Zipscreen vs Ziptrak
Both brands offer various types of outdoor blinds, so the most practical way to compare the two systems is to look at what everyday users say about installation, performance, and maintenance. Homeowners who have lived with either system for a few years often provide the most honest insights.
What Customers Say About Zipscreen Blinds
Many Zipscreen users appreciate the modern look and the range of fabric options available. Motorised versions also receive positive feedback for convenience. However, some homeowners struggle with fabric blowouts during stronger winds, especially in houses near the coast or on hilltops. Others mention minor rattling or the blind not staying square, which can require re-tensioning by an installer.
What Customers Say About Ziptrak Blinds
Ziptrak reviews tend to highlight smooth operation, solid weather protection, and low noise in windy weather. Homeowners also appreciate Ziptrak’s ability to stop the blind at any point without locking mechanisms. The track’s grip on the fabric receives consistent praise because it reduces flapping and maintains tension even after years of daily use. Ziptrak’s track-guided design and marine-grade components also offer better everyday stability in coastal or gusty conditions without zipper-related failures.
Common Complaints and Problem Trends
Across hundreds of reviews, two patterns appear: Zipscreen’s most common complaints relate to fabric tracking issues and less stability in the wind, while Ziptrak complaints usually relate to misuse, such as forcing the blind while the bottom locks are engaged.
Overall Satisfaction and Long-Term Reliability
Overall satisfaction trends skew in favour of Ziptrak. It requires fewer adjustments across its lifetime, handles wind better, and provides more consistent performance. Both require retraction in severe storms, but Ziptrak handles wider spans and operational pressure more reliably.
Homeowners with Zipscreen blinds who live in sheltered areas tend to be happier, while those in exposed environments often prefer Ziptrak.
Zipscreen vs Ziptrak: A Direct Comparison
Once you look at both systems side by side, the practical differences become clearer. Homeowners usually care about operation, weather protection, appearance, and long-term value.
Ease of Use and Day-to-Day Operation
Zipscreen works well, especially when motorised. The manual version can feel heavier to lift and may not stop as precisely mid-height. Also, since Zipscreen only has a bottom slide bolt (usable indoors or outdoors), in certain scenarios, someone would have to go out to lock or unlock it before the blind can be raised or lowered.
Ziptrak’s spring-balanced glide is noticeably smoother. For families with kids or for high-use patios, Ziptrak is easier to operate consistently.
Performance in Wind, Rain, and Harsh Sun
Wind performance is one of the biggest separators between the two products. Zipscreen works fine on mild days but struggles in exposed sections, which can lead to fabric blowouts. Ziptrak’s tighter track grip helps reduce movement and noise.
In the rain, both systems depend on the fabric used. Mesh options reduce glare and heat, while PVC provides a near-total rain block. Ziptrak usually forms a cleaner seal at the bottom, which helps prevent splashing.
Durability, Reliability, and Maintenance
Both systems use quality fabrics from trusted suppliers. The difference lies in the hardware. Ziptrak’s track profile and spline technology tend to age better and require fewer service calls. Zipscreen operators sometimes need re-tensioning or adjustments over time, especially with larger spans.
Appearance, Customisation, and Home Integration
Both systems offer plenty of colour and headbox options. Zipscreen has a slightly more minimal look in some installations. Ziptrak’s fully enclosed headbox and snug track fit give a built-in appearance that many homeowners prefer.
Installation Differences and System Compatibility
Installation quality matters for both. Zipscreen has more components that require precise alignment to avoid tracking issues. Ziptrak’s system is more installer-friendly, which often means fewer problems down the line. Most smart-home setups can integrate with either system when motorised.
Price Comparison and Overall Long-Term Value
Zipscreen is usually cheaper at the start. However, when you factor in maintenance, wind resistance, and everyday use, Ziptrak provides better lifetime value for most homes. In challenging locations, the extra cost pays for itself in performance and fewer service visits.
Use Cases: Which Outdoor Blind System Is Better?
Different homes face different conditions, so the best choice depends on your environment and how often you use the blinds.
Best Choice for Windy Areas and Exposed Patios
Ziptrak is the stronger performer here. Its track system holds the fabric more securely, thereby reducing movement and giving better comfort on gusty days.
Best for Large Openings and Heavy Use
Both systems can span wide openings, but Ziptrak tends to maintain tension better over time. For areas used daily, its smoother lift makes it an easier system to live with.
Best for Long-Term Durability and Fewer Problems
Ziptrak usually wins for longevity. The hardware is robust, the track design is simpler, and the system tends to stay aligned longer.
Balanced Recommendation Based on Different Scenarios
Zipscreen suits sheltered patios, external windows, and homeowners who want a modern look without spending a lot. Ziptrak suits almost every scenario, including challenging climates, high-use areas, and wide openings.
Ziptrak vs Zipscreen: Which Should You Choose?
Zipscreen and Ziptrak are both solid outdoor blind systems that significantly add to outdoor comfort. They provide shade, privacy, and weather protection in ways old-style blinds simply cannot match. If your patio is protected from strong winds and you prefer a slightly lower upfront price, Zipscreen may fit your needs.
However, if you want the system that performs more consistently across Australia’s varied conditions, Ziptrak stands out. Its track design handles wind better, it operates more smoothly, and it generally requires fewer adjustments over its lifetime. For homeowners who want reliability, comfort, and long-term value, Ziptrak is usually the smarter choice.
FAQs
Are Ziptrak blinds worth the extra cost?
Yes. They offer smoother operation, better wind stability, and fewer long-term issues, which often means better value even with a higher initial price.
Do Zipscreen blinds have more problems than Ziptrak?
Zipscreen performs well in sheltered areas but tends to have more fabric-tracking issues (with wind) compared with Ziptrak.
Which system works better in high winds?
Ziptrak. Its tight track system holds the fabric more securely, reducing noise and movement.
What is the lifespan of Ziptrak vs Zipscreen blinds?
Both can last many years with proper care, but Ziptrak hardware usually maintains alignment and tension longer.
Can both systems be motorised?
Yes. Both Zipscreen and Ziptrak support motorisation and smart-home integration.