Screen time

Ziptrak

“Sunscreen mesh fabrics are the go-to solution for outdoor blinds, striking the perfect balance between comfort and function,” according to a Ziptrak spokesperson. “They offer privacy during the day, maintain airflow, and reduce harsh sun exposure, all while preserving your view outside. And with Ziptrak Outdoor, sunscreen mesh is taken to the next level.”

“The Ziptrak system is expertly engineered to work seamlessly with sunscreen mesh, delivering a high-performance outdoor blind system that’s built for Australian conditions. Whether you’re shielding your patio from heat and glare or protecting your outdoor furniture from UV damage, sunscreen mesh helps you enjoy your space year-round without feeling closed in.

“But sunscreen mesh isn’t just practical; it’s also a canvas. With the option to print images, logos, or branded messages directly onto the fabric, your outdoor blind becomes a powerful visual feature. It’s a creative way to add personality to your home or make a bold branding statement for your business.

While Ziptrak is known for its unique ability to handle challenging materials like clear PVC, it’s the performance with sunscreen mesh that many customers rely on every day. The system’s side-retained design ensures the mesh stays taut and secure in windy conditions, while offering smooth and effortless operation, whether manually controlled or motorised.

“What truly sets Ziptrak apart is its exceptionally strong UV-treated side spline, branded with the Ziptrak logo. This durable component keeps the blind material securely in place while resisting wear from sun exposure, ensuring long-lasting performance and reliable operation. And when using dimensionally stable clear PVC, Ziptrak maintains smooth movement, even in changing weather conditions where other systems may struggle.

With the ability to combine sunscreen mesh with clear PVC in a single installation, Ziptrak gives you the freedom to tailor your blind system to suit different spaces and needs. Choose the material that works best for each orientation—mesh for airflow and views, PVC for full weather protection—and enjoy outdoor living without compromise.

Compliant Blinds for Balconies 

The Nolan Group and Ziptrak have partnered and created a compliant, IGNIS verified solution for external shading solutions on the balconies of multi-story buildings.

The Nolan Group has developed a comprehensive Performance Solution (PS) centred around the combination of Vistaweave 95 and Ziptrak. This innovative combination has undergone rigorous fire testing and certification by qualified fire engineers, ensuring safe and compliant external shading installations in multi-storey buildings.

Faster approvals for high-rise shading projects

The Nolan Group’s Vistaweave 95 and Ziptrak Performance Solution is now the only tested and certified frame system that negates the vertical clearance requirement, streamlining the submission process for builders and installers by reducing their reliance on individual certifier assessments.

This innovative approach simplifies compliance and expands the possibilities for utilising high-quality external shading solutions in multi-storey residential and commercial buildings.

The 2018 removal of the exemption for fabric blinds and awnings above ground level in multi-storey buildings created a significant challenge, leaving many existing installations non-compliant and uninsurable, impacting opportunities to install external blinds on multi-storey buildings. To address this, the Window Shading Association of Australia (WSAA, formerly BMAA) developed a Performance Solution based on rigorous testing and expert evaluation.

Demonstrating its commitment to safety, the Nolan Group invested in additional, cutting-edge ISO 13785-1:2002 fire testing on a scaled Vistaweave 95/ Ziptrak system with a glass balustrade balcony and achieved significant results. This testing demonstrated that under intense heat, the Vistaweave 95 blind material simply shrivels without causing unacceptable spread of flame or the release of falling debris, even in the absence of a balcony structure. With the Ziptrak frame structure being made of non-combustible aluminium, the remaining plastic parts also did not contribute to unacceptable spread of flame or falling debris. 

These test results, independently verified by renewable energy specialist IGNIS, definitively eliminate the need for the previously mandated 900mm vertical clearance between blind installations when using the Vistaweave 95/ Ziptrak Performance Solution.

Simplified compliance: Performance Solution Training

To provide further information and training, Nolan Group and Ziptrak will host events in July and August for fabricators, manufacturers, retailers, and strata management. These events will detail the Vistaweave 95 and Ziptrak Performance Solution and explore the additional benefits and applications of this unique offering, as well as the newly released Ziptrak Joiner System, which enables the installation of wider blinds in buildings with elevator size restrictions. 

Ricky Richards

As the Australian sun grows harsher and our lifestyles lean further into indoor-outdoor living, the demand for reliable sun protection has evolved. Modern homeowners, designers and installers alike are seeking fabrics that do more than just provide shade. 

“They need solutions that balance UV protection, airflow, privacy, and style. At Ricky, we offer a sunscreen range that not only ticks all those boxes but leads the market in quality and innovation. Our three standout options – Outlook, Skyline, and Docril – have become staples across homes and commercial spaces throughout Australia.

“Outlook fabrics are manufactured by Phifer, a global gold standard in this field. Available in multiple openness levels (0%, 1%, 5%, 12%) and dozens of contemporary colours, Outlook fabrics filter out up to 99% of harmful UV rays, protecting not only people but also furniture and flooring from sun damage. The collection includes the innovative Outlook Zero range, designed for maximum privacy and minimal light penetration, and Zero Stripes, which blends visual appeal with functionality.

“Backed by a 15-year warranty, Outlook fabrics also offer added peace of mind thanks to their Greenguard Gold certification, Microban antimicrobial protection, and the eco-conscious Dow Ecolibrium plasticiser technology. Suitable for a wide variety of outdoor applications including external blinds, zip screens, and retractable awnings, Outlook continues to be the reliable choice for professionals who want to deliver longevity and comfort.

“The Skyline range brings a new level of versatility to sunscreen mesh. With a focus on refined aesthetics and simplified colourways, Skyline is available in blacks, greys, and neutral tones that seamlessly integrate into modern architecture. It offers two openness levels: Skyline 94, with 6% openness for balanced privacy and airflow, and Skyline 99, a near blockout option with just 1% openness.

“Constructed from durable polyester and UV-stabilised for resilience under tough weather conditions, Skyline is fire retardant and lead-free. The fabric is engineered to work across common systems such as straight drop, zip screen and retractable roofs, making it an ideal all-rounder. With its 10-year warranty, Skyline is a dependable fabric that brings a quiet sophistication to any project.

“For those seeking a classic canvas aesthetic with modern-day performance, Docril is the standout. Woven in Spain by a fourth-generation manufacturer, Docril is made from 100% solution-dyed acrylic, delivering high resistance to fading and ensuring that colours stay vibrant for years. It features a technical finish that repels water and resists stains and mildew—perfect for high-sun areas.

“The extensive collection includes bold stripes, contemporary textures, and timeless plains. Docril is particularly suited to folding arm awnings, window awnings, and umbrellas, offering comfort, protection and style. The 10-year warranty ensures confidence in long-term performance while elevating the appearance of outdoor spaces.

“Choosing the right sunscreen fabric isn’t just about looks. It’s about energy efficiency, health, and quality of life. All three of these Ricky offerings significantly reduce solar heat gain, helping regulate internal temperatures, minimise cooling costs, and reduce glare. 

“At Ricky, we’re proud to supply high-performance sunscreen fabrics that stand the test of time, backed by warranties and built for Australian conditions. Outlook, Skyline, and Docril: three distinct fabrics, one shared mission; superior protection backed by elevated design.”

Shaw

Shaw’s Dayscreen external screen is the smart choice for specifiers and retailers promoting outdoor living solutions, says Shaw Marketing Manager Sarah Harris. 

“With the outdoor living market experiencing sustained growth, specifiers and retailers are increasingly turning to premium external screen systems that combine functionality, aesthetic appeal, and energy efficiency. Dayscreen is a high-performance 2 x 2 basketweave, available in 5% and 1% openness. It stands out as a versatile and commercially attractive external screen fabric that meets the evolving needs of discerning customers and modern building design led by the Building Code of Australia and Green Building Council of Australia.

“Dayscreen sets itself apart with its exceptionally clear view to the outside, a key feature that adds value for clients seeking shade and uninterrupted garden or exterior views,” says Harris. “This makes it a standout recommendation for outdoor living areas, alfresco spaces, and patio enclosures, where preserving a connection with the outdoors is a priority.

“For specifiers focused on material health, sustainability and compliance, Dayscreen offers an exceptional technical specification, including: UV resistance, superior yarn count, breaking strength and tear strength. It is formaldehyde-free, lead-free, phthalate-free, mould-resistant, and Greenguard / Greenguard Gold certified, supporting healthier air quality. Dayscreen has the added benefit for commercial application of being printable for custom branding or signage.

Dayscreen comes in a broad palette of 18 colours (5% openness) and eight colours (1% openness), offering solutions for projects requiring varying degrees of transparency, privacy, and glare control. Whether the design style is minimalistic or bold, Dayscreen provides the flexibility specifiers need to achieve visual harmony with surrounding architecture, co-ordinating with bestselling exterior paint manufacturers colour ranges.

“In today’s economic environment, where interest rates remain high and property upgrades are often favoured over costly moves, homeowners are looking for smarter ways to maximise the use of their existing spaces. Expanding living areas to the outdoors has become a practical and cost-effective strategy. For specifiers, this represents a growing opportunity to design flexible, year-round spaces that enhance lifestyle and property value. For retailers, it’s a clear signal that external shading solutions are no longer a luxury, they’re a necessity.

“With the growing demand for energy-efficient, stylish, and tech-integrated shading systems, specifiers and retailers are looking for solutions that deliver performance and simplicity. Shaw is meeting this demand head-on, offering a fully integrated external shading solution that combines Dayscreen high-performance fabric, the ZipGrip tension system, and ShawSmart motorisation for seamless smart home integration, all supported by Shaw’s national call centres in Sydney and Auckland, and nationwide distribution centres across Australia and New Zealand.”