Good material

Shaw

Shaw Marketing Manager Sarah Harris explains that to support retailers, Shaw has launched a new showroom presentation featuring a display board with feeler swatches of the complete Dayscreen colour range, designed to demonstrate the fabric’s range in 1% and 5%. 

“This allows for a tactile, visual exploration of the colours, which can be used for customer reference away from the showroom.

“Highly specified, Dayscreen is tested to AS1530 Part II with a Flammability Index of 1. It delivers exceptional external protection for the ground level of buildings, while maintaining a clear view to the outside. Its UV-resistant composition ensures colours stay true even in harsh climates. Manufactured to stringent environmental and health standards, the fabric is lead-free, formaldehyde-free, and phthalate-free. It is also certified by Oeko-Tex, Greenguard, and Greenguard Gold, making it a safe and sustainable choice for residential and commercial ground floor installations.”

“With external awning systems continuing to rise in popularity as a solution for expanding usable living space and improving thermal comfort, Dayscreen plays a critical role in helping homes adapt to Australia and New Zealand’s diverse climate conditions,” says Harris.

“Consumers are increasingly investing in external shading not just for its functionality but for its ability to complement architectural design trends. Shaw’s colour development process reflects this, taking cues from current trends in exterior furnishings, garden features, fencing finishes, and popular exterior paints such as Colorbond. Consideration is also given to emerging facade materials to ensure the fabric palette aligns with broader design choices.”

“While crisp white facades and darker roofing options like Monument remain popular, there is a growing shift towards off-whites and warmer neutral tones in exterior schemes. Dayscreen addresses this with a refined colour selection that includes Linen, Bark, Mist, and Haze – shades that sit comfortably in this evolving palette. On the darker side, colours such as Earth and Otter respond to the trend toward warm greys and natural earth tones, while cooler greys are transitioning toward nature-inspired greens like Woodland, which pairs beautifully with planting schemes. For more coastal-inspired applications, Ocean offers a complementary match to blue and white outdoor furnishing trends.”

“As demand grows for energy-efficient, stylish, and tech-integrated shading systems, specifiers and retailers are seeking products that combine performance with ease of integration. Shaw has responded with a complete external shading solution that brings together Dayscreen fabric, the patented ZipGrip tension system, and ShawSmart motorisation, offering seamless compatibility with modern smart home systems. This integrated offer is fully supported by Shaw’s national call centres in Sydney and Auckland and a robust distribution network across Australia and New Zealand, ensuring consistent supply and expert support across the region.”

Ricky Richards

“Outdoor spaces are no longer an afterthought, they’re an extension of our living environments,” says Ricky Richards. “Whether shading a pool deck, café terrace, or family patio, choosing the right awning fabric is essential for comfort, style, and long-term performance. Two names are setting the benchmark: Docril and Solterior – the power duo.”

“Docril brings vibrant, enduring beauty to exterior spaces. Its solution-dyed acrylic fibres ensure colours stay rich and vivid even under relentless sun exposure, making it a go-to for designers who want personality and performance in equal measure.”

Solterior takes things further for those with higher compliance and sustainability goals. It’s fire retardant, critical for commercial projects, and made from recycled materials, championing a more sustainable future for the industry without compromising quality.

Both ranges boast UV protection, water repellency, and resistance to mildew, essential for Australia’s challenging climate. Yet each has its own hero trait:
• Docril: Colour vibrancy and a vast design range
• Solterior: Fire retardancy + sustainable origins

Specs:
• Widths: Up to 320cm (select ranges)
• UV Protection: Excellent
• Sustainability: Solterior is made from recycled yarns
• Fire Retardant: Solterior is tested to industry standards

Weinor

Simon Meyer – Managing Director of Weinor Australia confirms the company’s most recent additions to the Weinor Awning fabric portfolio, Starscreen and FibreGlass, deliver a balance of performance, style, and environmental responsibility. 

“Designed for use with the VertiTex II Vertical Awning system and Valance Plus options, these fabrics provide premium sun control, privacy, and clear outward views, positioning them for both residential and commercial applications.”

“Starscreen is a woven polyester screen fabric with a natural textile look in 12 carefully curated colours. It offers privacy without sacrificing views, and its spinneret-dyed yarns ensure long-term UV resistance. Engineered for longevity, it is resistant to soil and mould, water-repellent, low-flammability, and fully recyclable — giving it strong appeal for projects with sustainability objectives.”

“Constructed from PVC-coated fibreglass yarns, FibreGlass is designed for exceptional strength and resistance to shrinkage or stretching, even in extreme temperatures. Available in 20 colours, it delivers privacy and sun protection while retaining high transparency for uninterrupted views. Its robust construction and easy-clean surface make it a dependable choice for long-term installations in both hot and cold climates.”

“Starscreen and FibreGlass address a growing demand for external screen fabrics that combine architectural style, durability, and climate resilience,” says Meyer. “They meet the requirements of designers and builders seeking colour compatibility with popular Colorbond shades such as Monument, while also providing performance features suited to Australia’s diverse conditions.”

“While outdoor fabric sales surged during the pandemic, the return of travel and economic pressures have shifted buying patterns. However, demand remains consistent for products that enhance outdoor comfort, integrate with architectural finishes, and reduce maintenance requirements. Current trends favour high-transparency fabrics for unobstructed views, sustainable materials, and colour palettes that align with contemporary building materials.”

“The shift toward hybrid working and the desire to maximise outdoor spaces continue to drive interest in premium outdoor fabrics. Both residential and commercial clients are looking for solutions that extend the usability of outdoor areas throughout the year, while delivering on both functional and aesthetic requirements.”

“With Starscreen and FibreGlass, Blinds by Peter Meyer offers trade professionals high-specification Weinor fabrics that perform reliably, present beautifully, and support long-term project value, ensuring they remain a preferred choice for discerning clients and demanding environments.”