Protecting Your Asset: Tips for Wintering Your Shade Sails and Outdoor Blinds

Shade Sails: Time for a Winter Check

As winter weather arrives it’s a good time to check over your outdoor shade sail and consider taking it down for the season*.

Here are our top tips for caring for your shade sail over winter:

• Do an annual maintenance check – inspect your sail, fittings, and structure for signs of wear or damage. You can also book a maintenance visit if you’d like assistance.
• Get a copy of our easy-care shade sail instructions.
• We recommend you take your shade sail down over winter when it’s not required – this will significantly extend its lifespan.
• *If your sail is made from Extreme32, this is heavy duty and it may not be necessary to take it down. If it is Z16 or DriZ, it is often recommended to bring it down to extend its life. Feel free to ask us if you’re not sure what shade cloth you have.
• If removing your sail – be sure to clean, dry, and store it properly. Never store your sail when damp, as moisture can cause mildew, fabric degradation, and staining.
• Take care with ratchets and releasing the tension to ensure you keep yourself safe.

Looking after your sail properly during the off-season makes all the difference.

If you’d prefer us to handle it, our local experts offer professional maintenance, cleaning, and reinstallation services in most regions. Contact us to get a copy of our care guide.

Ziptrak® Outdoor Blinds – Mesh and PVC

Whether you’ve got Ziptrak® outdoor mesh screens or clear PVC blinds, a little seasonal attention goes a long way.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Do an annual maintenance check – see our care instructions for full details.
• Operate the blinds occasionally – roll them up and down to keep the tracks and mechanisms in working order.
• During high winds (30km per hour or more) blinds should be left either fully retracted onto the top tube, or fully down and locked at the bottom (up is best). During extreme weather events, blinds should be fully retracted onto the top tube.
• Avoid rolling up blinds when wet or if they have condensation on the surface. Moisture within the rolled-up blind material may cause mould to form.
• Check and clean moss and build up on blinds and screens. We recommend using Swiftee Blind Cleaner for best results (available from Sunshade Head Office – contact info@sunshade.co.nz or call us on 0800 786 742 and we can send some out to you).

Clear PVC Blinds:

PVC reacts differently in colder temperatures. As it cools, it tightens and becomes less pliable. This can affect how smoothly the screen operates in the track.

Key tips for winter:

• Use a silicone spray (not oil-based) in the side guide channels every six months, or when movement feels stiff.
• Avoid rolling up blinds when wet or have condensation on the surface. This can cause a temporary milky or cloudy look. It usually clears when unrolled in warmer, dry conditions.
• Keep blinds rolled up when not in use – especially during storms or frosty nights. This helps protect the spring system and extends product life.

For more on cleaning, storage, and maintenance for blinds and screens, get a copy of our Care Instructions.

Need Assistance or have a Question about caring for your blinds?

Call or email your local Sunshade expert – they are here to help you protect and prolong your outdoor shade solution so it keeps performing for many seasons to come.