Watson Blinds and Awnings are one of Canberra’s most recommended outdoor blinds and awnings suppliers. Photo: Supplied.
Canberra sure does have the best of the best when it comes to weather in Australia. From breathtaking blooms in spring to glorious sun-baked summers, outdoor living is an absolute treat.
With a perfect blend of cosmopolitan cool and eco sass at every turn, it comes as no surprise that Canberrans are expanding their outdoor spaces in droves. The alfresco lifestyle is one of luxury, offering the freedom to merge indoor with out and getting the best of both worlds whilst doing so.
That said, not all of us can simply knock down and rebuild. Most of us need to consider utilising existing space – and making it more liveable. Perfectly matched outdoor blinds or awnings are a helpful solution. They offer protection from the heat, glare, wind, and rain, all whilst increasing space.
Traditional canvas awnings have been used around the world for decades. Much like their modern counterparts they provided shelter and privacy, while equally lifting aesthetics. The newest options offer complete automation in a range of synthetic materials with all manner of retracting capabilities.
With so many options finding the right outdoor blind or awning can be confusing. This is where your local outdoor blind and awning supplier comes into play. These specialists in outdoor window furnishings make light work of a hard task; and we have shortlisted the best that Canberra has to offer below.
What makes a great outdoor blinds and awnings supplier?
The best in class blind and awning suppliers provide exemplary personalised service from start to end, stock quality products from the world’s leading brands, and offer years of expertise. Finding a great supplier will ensure you are fitted with an outdoor solution that not only looks great – but will last too. Here are our tips on what to look out for:
- Quality components. As the saying goes, the whole is only as good as the sum of its parts. This old adage holds true when it comes to outdoor blinds and awnings. To ensure you maximise value from your investment look for suppliers who stock premium quality components and state of the art materials. Even a manual blind will short when fitted with poor parts, so look for quality at every stage. Fortunately, there are a raft of innovations particularly when it comes to blind and awning fabric, which means more choice and better quality around the board. Understand your rights as far as warranties go and be clear on maintenance and care advice.
- Expertise. While a trade license isn’t required to install outdoor blinds or awnings in the ACT; it makes the call for experience ever more pressing. As a result, look for suppliers with years of proven experience and a long list of happy customers. Be sure to check online reviews and directories for recommendations. Experts generally shine through upon meeting however this is only really put to the test in installation, so it pays to do your homework.
- Expansive range. The best outdoor blind and awning retailers stock products that address a range of outdoor needs and solutions. Look for depth in their product range, and for world class brands. Be clear on your specific needs and prioritise these with the supplier. The best outdoor blind and awning suppliers will be able to recommend the best solution regardless of budget.
- Custom Measure. The most reputable blind and awning retailers will provide highly personalised service including a custom measure and quote. This involves sending one of their experts to your home or business for a one-to-one consultation, where your needs and key concerns are identified and addressed. This should also include a measure and detailed quote covering both supply and install charges.
- Maintenance. A flawless installation is one thing, however having someone to lean on when issues arise is another. Subsequently, be sure to enquire about post installation services such as repairs and maintenance. Do they offer call out services? Who can you contact to troubleshoot an issue? What happens if you need to submit a warranty claim? The best retailers will have simple and straightforward solutions to all of these in house.
The best outdoor blinds and awnings suppliers in Canberra
RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
Watson Blinds and Awnings
Proudly Canberran, family owned and operated, Watson Blinds & Awnings have an extensive product range that cover both the inside and outside of your home. They have fitted over 67,000 homes in the Canberra region, and with over 50 years in the business, they’ve got the sort of experience you can rely on.
Watson also boasts the only window furnishing factory in the region. This means that their products are manufactured right here in Canberra rather than cheaply imported, putting them a cut above their competitors. Whether you’re looking for blinds, curtains, shutters or awnings, they’re sure to provide a stylish and functional window solution – with a personal touch.
Shane Jenkins shared this glowing review of Watson Blinds & Awnings on Google, “Very professional and pleasant staff, and the same goes for the products and service. From measure and quote to install we have always been very impressed and always got what we wanted. It’s also good to support local and easy to do with the great products.”
Fyshwick ACT 2609
Indoor Outdoor Blinds Australia
Local and independent, Indoor Outdoor Blinds Australia have been serving Canberra and surrounds for over twenty-five years. They supply and install an expansive range of architectural, commercial, and residential shade solutions.
From café blinds, to ziptrack or straight drop awnings, stylish cupolas and dutch hoods, to florentine and folding variants Indoor Outdoor Blinds have a large catalogue of products.
Paddy Woolley had a positive experience with Indoor Outdoor Blinds as shared on Google, “Good range of products and service from Stephen, his lads did a great job of our entertaining area. Happy with the quality and value.”
Canberra Blinds, Awning & Curtain Centre
The Canberra Blinds, Awning and Curtain Centre offers a large range of both indoor and outdoor window furnishings along with repairs and cleaning services all under the one roof.
Servicing both retail and trade markets, they offer outdoor solutions to help you get the most of your alfresco areas whilst protect your home from the elements.
Stocking both fixed and retractable outdoor blinds and awnings from all the leading brands be sure to consult this team for some options.
Jatin Khanna shared this great review via Google, “Thanks Terry, for a great product and excellent service. Extremely happy with my zipTrack and e-zipline Awnings. They look great! Your prompt follow through and quick remediation are excellent testimony of your professionalism and workmanship!”
Chadwick Designs
Chadwick Designs are a specialist supplier and installer of internal and external window furnishings for residential and commercial clients alike.
This family-run team focus on developing aesthetic outdoor solutions to address problems such as light, insulation, weather protection and privacy. Leading the way in design and trends they offer high quality furnishings.
With a product selection that combines the best of European and Australian innovation, look to Chadwick Designs for quality outdoor blind and awning solutions.
Lynn Pendrigh had a wonderful experience with Chadwick Designs as shared on Google, “Chadwick Designs advised us on the purchase of a retractable awning for our north facing outdoor entertainment area. Everything went smoothly from ordering, delivery through to installation and our awning is a great success. Thanks to all the Chadwick team.”
If you’re looking for other window covering options check our article on the best roller shutter suppliers, or for indoor window dressings perhaps our article on the best curtain suppliers Canberra has to offer. To integrate your outdoor blinds or awnings into your smart home read our article on the best home automation system installers in the region.
If you’re also looking to update your garden, our articles on the best turf and artificial grass suppliers or the best landscapers in Canberra might be helpful.
Your experience with outdoor blinds and awnings suppliers in Canberra
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the outdoor blinds and awning suppliers listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
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I recently used Canberra Blinds Awning and Curtain Centre in Fyshwick to repair and clean 3 older Roman blinds that did not work properly. They collected, cleaned and repaired them before returning them on the same day. Very happy with their prices. Friendly and helpful staff. Will definitely be using them again and also will be ordering an outdoor retractable awning for Christmas.
Regency Knights are the best in canberra. Their customer service is impeccable, and professional. I’ve had some blinds installed by them and their office team were very helpful in the showroom and their installers were reliable as well. Their pricing is also very competitive I’ve found.
I recently used Canberra Shutters for new plantation shutters and roller shutters in my home. He is a local guy, Steve, with 20 years experience, has recently gone out on his own after contracting to most of the big blind and shutter companies. The service was amazing, and prices quite a bit more competitive than the other quotes I sourced. Installation was beautifully done, he is pretty obsessed with quality. I will definitely use him again.
You can choose the best blinds online from Dynamic blinds online which leaves your room with very smart and fresh looking design. To know more visit here http://dynamicblinds.com.au/
Yesterday – nine months, many phone calls and several site visits after our cellular blinds were first paid for and then installed – Kresta fitted window frame surrounds that will block the convection currents that had negated the blinds’ potential insulation benefits.
I recommend that, if you are having blinds installed, you withhold a proportion of the payment until the blinds have been satisfactorily installed. If the installer doesn’t agree, you can use someone else.
miz said :
There’s a guy in one of the flats on Northbourne who, according to signs in his window, is a bit of an expert on bed bugs. Bags not knocking on his door though.
miz said :
Bed bugs can also be frozen. I have used this method when bringing some items into the house I was not sure of. http://www.bedbugs.umn.edu/bed-bug-control-in-residences/using-freezing-temperatures-for-bedbug-control/
There are also certain indications that bed bugs are present, such as rusty looking spots and apparently a smell. None of the curtains I brought home exhibited any of that.
Thank you all so much for your advice and input! Knowing who to avoid is a great start (and I was considering spotlight and Kresta, so thank you for helping me!)
Unfortunately, yes, as posters have pointed out, I cannot just buy some and install them myself. But I am happy to support a Canberra business to do so, as long as they are willing to take on the job!
We went and saw Watson’s Blinds and Awnings on Saturday morning and they were absolutely lovely – so much so that we have them coming to do a measure and quote today.
Thanks again!
Sandman said :
My first business venture years ago was retailing in NSW. I only succeeded because I had a full time job and two part-time jobs which made it 7 days a week work for several years.
I had an opportunity to expand into Canberra however the cost of wages, rent and everything else meant that the selling prices would be higher than other regional centres in NSW so it didn’t happen.
I know lots of retailers in Canberra (rather more that were retailers).
None are making any money – just barely a living with long hours and enormous risk. There is the daily risk of further competition coming to Canberra (like IKEA which is going to be heavily subsidised by ACT Government/ratepayers) so trading stock is cut to a minimum to minimise losses if the business fails (that dreaded day when it is cheaper to keep the shop doors closed rather than open them).
Your view is one of self-interest. If we don’t support our local retailers more we will all end up buying “out of town” by necessity. When that point is reached, just see what price an order with a Canberra postcode commands.
Based on what you said you will still buy from IKEA in Sydney even though they will have an outlet in Canberra? You need to clearly explain your position on this.
Hi Maya, to kill bed bugs you have to wash in hot water and or use hot dryer, which would not be suitable for the kind of heavy curtains you were describing.
May I humbly suggest RiotACT does an article on bed bugs? People have a lot of incorrect preconceived ideas.
dungfungus said :
Canberra, where the retailers feel that the higher disposable income somehow justifies their higher margins than anywhere else and there’s no need to actually keep a suitable level of stock on hand. Most Canberra retailers are simply one extra middleman, ordering stock from the same place Joe Blow of Sydney can walk in off the street and buy minimum quantities.
We don’t have the economies of scale to justify shopping locally for items in excess of $500.
miz said :
There is a thing called washing. Why would one hang curtains without naturally washing them first?????
Re comment about using second hand curtains – I would think twice, due to bed bugs. Having had to deal with a small outbreak recently after my young adult child returned from Queensland (presumably in the luggage), I can attest that they are very difficult to treat (they are not killed by flea/cockroach bombs, which can just spread the problem). And they don’t just live in beds, they can also live in fabrics, furniture, carpet, your handbag, you name it. (Can you tell I have become mentally obsessed???)
Anyway, I would not wish them on anyone, and apparently vintage/second hand items are notorious so I would steer clear of anything you cannot wash and/or put in a hot dryer for an hour.
As an aside, I am amazed there is not info about bed bugs on TAMS website, particularly as
Canberra is a very transient place and they are often in hotels and luggage. Clearly they ARE here in Canberra, given that hand written sign hanging from one of the govvie flats recently:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/man-blames-act-government-for-bedbug-infestation-at-northbourne-flats-20140814-103wre.html
Happy to share my experiences further if anyone is experiencing similar issues. If you travelled anywhere over Xmas I would be checking!!
PJW said :
Canberra, where the disposable incomes are amongst the highest in the world and the shoppers go out of their way to shop everywhere else.
Have a drive around some of the town centres and Fyshwick to see how many empty shops there. Then feel good about yourself.
I’ve recently installed honeycomb/cellular blinds from cellularwindowshades.com . Based in the US, even with shipping the cost was less than half any price I was quoted locally.
Simmo said :
I’d avoid paying $7000 upfront at all costs…
maureen52 said :
We were also happy with Watson blinds however you get what you pay for when it comes to the accessories – my luxaflex blinds in my old place wre definitely better than the Wason blinds but were double the cost.
We were very happy with our honeycombs from Watson Blinds in Mitchell.
My partner recently used Spotlight and they were terrible. $7000 paid upfront, then had to continually ring them to get them to come and measure. It eventually took them a couple of goes at measuring and four different times for fitting to end up with some average blinds that were poorly fitted and use cheap plastic fittings everywhere. They have since been back (after numerous phone calls) to repair the render they damaged and refit a blind that had started to fall off the wall within one month. Avoid at all costs.
If you want insulation, make sure that the blinds will be fitted WITHIN the window frames.
We recently bought cellular blinds like our neighbours’ in the expectation that their insulating properties would repay the additional expense, without going to even more expensive double glazing. We explained this to the salesman, and build window frames to the specifications he provided.
The blinds were installed 2 cm proud of the frames, and we now have a 2 cm all-round gap that in winter will allow convection currents to circulate cold air into the room from from the cold window pane.
After several months of negotiation, the company has agreed to modify the frames so that they will encase the blinds. We’re hoping that they come good before winter.