Family-owned in Adelaide since 2002
Cafe Blinds Adelaide
Big Difference supplies and installs clear and tinted PVC cafe blinds for Adelaide homes, cafes and restaurants. We use 0.75 mm dimensionally stable PVC held in Slidetrack guides on all four sides, so the blinds keep out wind and rain without losing the view. Homes and businesses get the same premium grade PVC.
- 0.75 mm premium PVC
- Clear or tinted
- Slidetrack track-guided system
- Free measure and quote
Tap to compare. Real Big Difference projects.
What are cafe blinds?
Cafe blinds, also called bistro blinds, are clear or tinted PVC outdoor blinds that keep wind and rain out of a patio, alfresco or outdoor dining area while keeping the view. They turn a covered area you only use on fine days into one you can use in wind, rain and cooler weather.
Example
About 20 m² more usable
Enclosing a 4 m x 5 m patio can make roughly 20 m² more usable through wind, rain and cooler weather. The gain is the area already covered by your roof, so the actual result depends on the existing roof and the open sides.
Clear PVC on a home patio
Keep the view
Clear PVC keeps the outlook to the garden while the blinds are down.
For shade and privacy rather than weather protection, see our mesh outdoor blinds. Both use the same Slidetrack system.
What PVC do we use, and why does thickness matter?
Big Difference uses 0.75 mm dimensionally stable PVC. As a guide, commercial-grade clear PVC is commonly around 0.75 mm, and sufficient thickness gives better clarity, body and durability.
Correct manufacture and tensioning matter just as much as thickness, because all PVC expands in heat and contracts in cold, and Adelaide swings from 40°C summer days to cold winter nights. Allowances are made during manufacture for each panel size and the expected movement. PVC will still feel firmer on cold mornings and softer in extreme heat.
Clear or tinted PVC: which should you choose?
Choose clear PVC when keeping the view and winter light is the priority. Tinted PVC can reduce glare, soften harsh east- or west-facing sun and give a degree of daytime privacy.
| PVC | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | Keeping the view and winter light | The most open look when the blinds are down |
| Tinted | Glare, harsh east or west sun, some daytime privacy | Not a substitute for shade mesh where maximum sun control is needed |
How Slidetrack keeps cafe blinds from flapping
Many cafe-style blinds flap in the wind. In the Slidetrack system the PVC is restrained on all four sides, with the spline hidden in the guide tracks and the bottom bar captured in full-length channels, which limits the loose edges that make conventional cafe blinds flap.
Tension
Tension that holds
A heavy-duty bottom bar and an adjustable top-tube system maintain tension, which reduces puckering and helps the blind keep working in winter.
Mid-way
Stop at any height
Slidetrack can be stopped at intermediate positions for airflow. We can also fit mid-way locking points, so all blinds stop level, for example at the top of a balustrade.
Rain
Sealed at the ground
Different sizes of bottom bar seal are available to suit uneven ground and give a good seal against rain.
A wind-speed rating is only quoted from the engineering documentation for the exact blind size and installation.
Cafe blinds for homes and businesses
There is no difference in grade between our home and commercial cafe blinds: we use premium grade PVC for both residential and commercial projects.
Hospitality venue
Cafes and restaurants
Clear PVC lets diners use an outdoor area in more weather while staying visible from the street.
Pub dining area
Mesh for shade
Mesh outdoor blinds suit outdoor dining areas that need shade and privacy more than weather protection.
Home patio
Homes
The same premium PVC closes in a home patio against wind and rain.
For CBD and suburban cafes, we can coordinate the blind design with the venue's builder, designer or council requirements. Formal approval for on-street dining, use of public space, accessibility, fire safety or heritage matters stays with the venue owner and the relevant authority, unless council-approval services are included in our quotation.
How to keep clear PVC blinds clear
We use exterior-grade UV-stabilised PVC and the Slidetrack hardware has very few exposed plastic parts. No clear PVC is completely immune to long-term weathering, but simple care keeps it clear for longer.
- clean regularly with approved mild products
- roll the blind up clean and dry
- avoid harsh solvents
How much do cafe blinds cost in Adelaide?
The cost of cafe blinds in Adelaide depends on the number and size of the openings, the PVC and how the blinds are operated. Big Difference gives a free, no-obligation quote after measuring up on site. These are the main things that change the price:
Number and size
How many openings, and how wide and tall each one is.
PVC
Clear or tinted 0.75 mm PVC.
Operation
How the blinds are raised and lowered, as set out in your quote.
Extras
Mid-way locking points and bottom bar seals to suit the ground.
Fixing and structure
Any preparation the posts or beams need.
Commercial sites
Coordination with the venue's builder or designer.
Get a clear price for your cafe blinds. Book a free measure and quote.
Book a free measure and quoteCafe blinds FAQs
What are cafe blinds?
Cafe blinds, also called bistro blinds, are clear or tinted PVC outdoor blinds that keep wind and rain out of a patio, alfresco or outdoor dining area while keeping the view.
What thickness of PVC do you use for cafe blinds?
Big Difference uses 0.75 mm dimensionally stable PVC, and the same premium grade for homes and businesses. Thickness gives clarity, body and durability, and correct manufacture and tensioning allow for PVC expanding in heat and contracting in cold.
Should I choose clear or tinted cafe blinds?
Choose clear PVC when the view and winter light matter most. Tinted PVC can reduce glare, soften harsh east- or west-facing sun and give some daytime privacy, but it is not a substitute for shade mesh where maximum sun control is needed.
Do cafe blinds flap in the wind?
Slidetrack cafe blinds are restrained on all four sides, with the spline hidden in the guide tracks and the bottom bar captured in full-length channels, which limits the loose edges that make conventional cafe blinds flap.
Can cafe blinds stop half way?
Yes. Slidetrack blinds can be stopped at intermediate positions for airflow, and mid-way locking points can be fitted so all blinds stop level, for example at the top of a balustrade.
How much extra space do cafe blinds give?
The gain is the area already covered by the roof. For example, enclosing a 4 m x 5 m patio can make roughly 20 m² more usable through wind, rain and cooler weather.
Do clear PVC blinds go yellow?
Big Difference uses exterior-grade UV-stabilised PVC. No clear PVC is completely immune to long-term weathering, but cleaning with approved mild products, rolling the blind up clean and dry and avoiding harsh solvents help keep it clear.
Can you help cafes with on-street dining requirements?
Yes. Big Difference can coordinate the blind design with the venue's builder, designer or council requirements. Formal approval for on-street dining and public space stays with the venue owner and the relevant authority unless council-approval services are included in the quotation.
Talk to a local team that measures and installs your cafe blinds, since 2002.
Request a QuoteRecent cafe blind projects
A selection of clear PVC cafe blinds and outdoor blinds Big Difference has installed for Adelaide homes, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Courtyard dining at night
Clear PVC on a home patio
Enclosed courtyard
Curved venue verandah
Cream-framed patio
Restaurant outdoor dining
Pub dining area
Outdoor dining with mesh blinds
Commercial balcony blind
Want cafe blinds like these? We measure up and quote for free.
Request a QuoteFrom Our Clients
The end result was exactly how I imagined it would be
An big shout out to Scott and Will completing the job in three days, one of which was raining.
An excellent job, highly recommended
Special thanks to Jarrod, Ryan, Lewis and Matt who all did a wonderful job.
What a great SA family business would highly recommend them.
They had the two blinds installed in under two hours. I think the guys names were Louie and Matt?
BDHI was recommended by a work colleague and I will definitely be going back happy knowing how professional they are.
They deserve a pat on the back for how good it turned out🙂
The whole process from start to finish was smooth and efficient.
All the people at Big Difference Home Improvements were helpful and friendly.
