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Zip Screen & Blind Systems

Zip Screen & Blind Systems

Intelligent Shading. Privacy. Protection. Outdoor Comfort.

STRUCTAAS® Zip Screen & Blind Systems provide elegant vertical shading and environmental control for pergolas, terraces, balconies, windows, restaurants, rooftops and outdoor living spaces.

Engineered to move vertically within guided side channels, our zip screen systems help control sunlight, glare, heat, privacy, wind and insects while maintaining the clean architectural appearance of the surrounding structure.

Available in motorized and selected manual configurations, STRUCTAAS® Zip Screens can be integrated directly into our Bioclimatic Louvre Pergolas, Motorized Retractable Roof Structures and other architectural openings to create more comfortable and adaptable environments.

Control Your Environment

Outdoor comfort is influenced by more than the roof above you.

Low-angle sunlight, glare, wind and lack of privacy can make an otherwise protected terrace uncomfortable.

STRUCTAAS® Zip Screen Systems provide vertical protection exactly where it is needed.

Lower the screen for increased shade and privacy.

Position it at an intermediate height when partial protection is preferred.

Retract it into its headbox when you want a completely open view.

The result is a space that can respond to changing sunlight, weather and privacy requirements throughout the day.

How Zip Screen Technology Works

Unlike a conventional roller blind, a zip screen incorporates the edges of the fabric into specially designed vertical side channels.

As the screen moves up or down, the zip-guided edges remain retained within the side tracks.

This helps maintain fabric tension and significantly reduces uncontrolled movement compared with an unsupported outdoor roller blind.

The principal components typically include:

  • Architectural aluminium headbox

  • Roller tube

  • Outdoor screen fabric

  • Zipped fabric edges

  • Aluminium side guide channels

  • Bottom rail

  • Motor or manual operating mechanism

  • Control system

  • Structural fixing components

Together, these components create a clean and compact vertical shading system.

Motorized Zip Screens

Comfort at the Touch of a Button

Motorized operation provides effortless control of large outdoor screens.

At the touch of a remote control or compatible wall control, the screen travels vertically between the headbox and bottom position.

Depending on the selected motor and control configuration, individual screens can be controlled independently or multiple screens can be grouped for coordinated operation.

Motorized systems are particularly suitable for:

  • Pergolas

  • Restaurants

  • Hotels

  • Large terraces

  • Rooftops

  • Premium residences

  • Commercial outdoor spaces

Where compatible, centralized or smart control options can also be considered as part of the project.

Manual Zip Screens

Selected applications can be configured with manual operation where motorization is unnecessary or where a simpler solution is preferred.

A manual crank mechanism allows the user to raise and lower the screen without electrical power.

Manual systems can be particularly appropriate for smaller openings, residential applications and projects where electrical installation is impractical.

Solar Shading

One of the principal functions of an architectural screen is solar control.

Direct sunlight entering from the side of a pergola or glazed space can increase heat and glare even when the roof itself provides shade.

Outdoor screen fabrics can help reduce direct solar exposure before it reaches the occupied area.

This can improve visual and thermal comfort while preserving a degree of connection with the surroundings.

Fabric openness, colour and material specification influence the level of solar control and visibility.

Privacy Without Completely Closing the Space

Zip screens provide a flexible alternative to permanent walls.

Depending on the selected fabric, occupants can achieve increased visual privacy while retaining ventilation and varying degrees of outward visibility.

This makes the system particularly useful for:

  • Residential terraces

  • Pool areas

  • Restaurants

  • Hotel cabanas

  • Balconies

  • Rooftop lounges

  • Outdoor entertainment spaces

When privacy is no longer required, the screen retracts into its headbox and the opening becomes visually open again.

Wind Protection

The guided edges of a zip screen help stabilize the fabric within the side channels.

This provides greater resistance to fabric movement than conventional free-hanging outdoor blinds.

The system can therefore provide useful protection against moderate wind and wind-driven discomfort in suitable installations.

Actual wind resistance depends on the screen dimensions, fabric, side-guide design, fixing conditions, structural support and specific system selected.

Screens should always be operated in accordance with the specified wind limits for the installed product.

Insect Protection

With an appropriate screen fabric and properly configured perimeter interfaces, zip screen systems can also help reduce the entry of mosquitoes and other insects.

This is particularly useful for:

  • Outdoor dining areas

  • Residential terraces

  • Pergolas

  • Poolside spaces

  • Garden rooms

  • Hospitality environments

For applications where insect exclusion is a primary requirement, the fabric and perimeter detailing should be selected accordingly.

Screen Fabric Options

Fabric selection has a major influence on the performance and appearance of a zip screen.

Different fabrics can provide different combinations of:

  • Solar control

  • Privacy

  • Visibility

  • Ventilation

  • Glare reduction

  • UV protection

  • Insect protection

  • Weather resistance

Solar Screen Fabric

Designed to reduce solar exposure and glare while maintaining varying levels of outward visibility.

Privacy Screen

Provides increased visual screening for areas requiring greater privacy.

Blackout / High-Privacy Fabric

Suitable for selected applications where significantly reduced light transmission and greater privacy are required.

Insect Screen

A more open mesh configuration designed primarily to improve ventilation while helping restrict insect entry.

Final fabric selection should reflect the intended function of the space.

Fabric Openness

The openness factor describes the proportion of open space within certain screen fabrics.

A more open fabric generally provides:

  • Greater outward visibility

  • Increased airflow

  • More natural light

A tighter fabric generally provides:

  • Greater solar shading

  • Increased privacy

  • Reduced glare

Our team can recommend an appropriate fabric specification according to the project's orientation, sunlight exposure and privacy requirements.

Integrated Aluminium Headbox

When retracted, the screen fabric rolls around a tube housed inside an architectural aluminium headbox.

This protects the rolled screen and keeps the installation visually clean.

Depending on the project, the headbox can be:

  • Surface mounted

  • Installed beneath an existing beam

  • Integrated into a pergola

  • Concealed within an architectural detail where technically possible

For STRUCTAAS® pergola projects, the screen system can be considered during the initial design stage to achieve a more integrated appearance.

Guided Side Channels

Vertical aluminium side channels guide the screen throughout its travel.

The zipped fabric edges remain retained within the guide system, helping maintain screen alignment and tension.

The side channels are securely fixed to the supporting structure and coordinated with the screen dimensions and selected system.

Motor & Control Options

Motorized STRUCTAAS® Zip Screen Systems can be configured with control options appropriate to the project.

Depending on the selected motor platform, options may include:

  • Handheld remote control

  • Wall-mounted control

  • Individual screen control

  • Multi-channel remote control

  • Grouped screen control

  • Centralized control

  • Compatible smart-control integration

Large projects can be divided into zones so different elevations or groups of screens can be operated independently.

Intermediate Positioning

Motorized screens do not necessarily need to remain completely open or completely closed.

The screen can be positioned according to the required level of shading or privacy.

For example:

Fully Open
Maximum visibility and connection with the outdoors.

Partially Lowered
Target low-angle sunlight while maintaining a more open lower section.

Fully Lowered
Maximum available shading and privacy from the selected fabric.

This flexibility makes the system particularly useful as sunlight changes direction throughout the day.

Perfect for Pergolas

Zip screens are one of the most effective additions to a pergola.

A roof can protect occupants from overhead sun and rain, but sunlight and wind can still enter from the sides.

Integrating vertical screens allows the pergola to provide more comprehensive environmental control.

Bioclimatic Louvre Pergola + Zip Screens

Adjust the aluminium louvres above for sunlight, ventilation and rain management.

Lower the side screens when additional shade, privacy or wind protection is required.

Retract the screens when you want completely open sides.

Motorized Retractable Roof + Zip Screens

Combine a retractable roof with retractable vertical screens to create an outdoor space capable of changing according to the weather.

Roof Open + Screens Open
Maximum open-air experience.

Roof Closed + Screens Open
Overhead shade or rain protection with open sides.

Roof Open + Screens Lowered
Side shading and privacy with an open roof.

Roof Closed + Screens Lowered
A substantially protected outdoor environment.

Perfect for Glass Enclosures

Zip screens can also complement architectural glazing.

External or appropriately positioned screens can help reduce direct solar exposure and glare around glazed spaces.

The combination of glass enclosure + solar screen provides different layers of environmental control:

Glass provides transparent physical enclosure.

Screens provide adjustable solar shading and privacy.

This is particularly valuable for highly glazed restaurants, terraces and outdoor rooms exposed to strong sunlight.

Applications

Restaurants & Cafés

Control low-angle sunlight and improve customer comfort around outdoor dining areas.

Hotels & Resorts

Ideal for terraces, cabanas, rooftop lounges, poolside spaces and outdoor hospitality areas.

Residential Pergolas

Add shading, privacy and greater environmental control to outdoor living spaces.

Rooftops

Reduce glare and wind discomfort while maintaining a retractable perimeter.

Balconies

Introduce adjustable privacy and solar shading without permanently closing the balcony.

Terraces & Patios

Create adaptable outdoor spaces for entertaining, dining and relaxation.

Pool Areas

Provide privacy and shading around poolside structures and cabanas.

Offices & Commercial Buildings

Reduce direct sunlight and glare around suitable glazed façades and outdoor breakout spaces.

Designed Around Your Architecture

Every STRUCTAAS® Zip Screen installation is configured according to the project.

Our technical team considers:

  • Opening width

  • Opening height

  • Supporting structure

  • Wind exposure

  • Sun orientation

  • Required level of privacy

  • Desired outward visibility

  • Fabric specification

  • Headbox position

  • Side-guide fixing

  • Motor configuration

  • Electrical requirements

  • Control strategy

  • Aluminium finish

  • Integration with surrounding systems

This ensures that the screen is selected as part of the architecture rather than treated simply as an accessory.

Technical Overview

System Type
Vertical guided zip screen / architectural blind system

Operation
Motorized or selected manual configurations

Movement
Vertical

Fabric Guidance
Zipped fabric edges retained within aluminium side channels

Fabric Options
Solar screen, privacy, high-privacy/blackout and insect-control options depending on application

Frame Material
Architectural aluminium

Headbox
Protective aluminium enclosure

Side Guides
Architectural aluminium guide channels

Bottom Rail
Weighted/guided aluminium bottom profile

Motorized Controls
Remote, wall control and compatible grouped-control configurations

Intermediate Positioning
Available depending on motor/control configuration

Manual Operation
Available for selected configurations

Aluminium Finish
Project-specific architectural finishes

Maximum Dimensions
Subject to fabric selection, wind exposure, supporting structure and selected system specification.

Zip Screen vs. Conventional Outdoor Blind

A conventional outdoor roller blind generally allows the fabric to hang freely between the roller and bottom bar.

A zip screen additionally retains the fabric edges within vertical side guides.

This guided configuration helps provide:

  • Improved fabric stability

  • Cleaner movement

  • Better edge retention

  • Improved resistance to fabric flapping

  • More consistent appearance

  • Greater suitability for exposed outdoor applications

This is why zip-guided systems are particularly suitable for pergolas and architectural outdoor spaces.

Zip Screen vs. Glass Enclosure

Both systems provide perimeter control, but they perform different functions.

Zip Screen Systems focus primarily on:

  • Solar shading

  • Privacy

  • Glare control

  • Ventilation

  • Moderate wind protection

  • Insect control with suitable fabrics

Glass Enclosure Systems focus primarily on:

  • Transparent physical enclosure

  • Greater weather separation

  • Panoramic visibility

  • Sliding or stacking glass protection

For projects requiring both functions, glass and screen systems can be combined.

Professional Installation

Correct measurement, alignment and tension are essential to the performance of a zip screen.

STRUCTAAS® installation can include:

  • Site measurement

  • Supporting-structure assessment

  • Headbox installation

  • Side-guide installation

  • Fabric installation

  • Motor installation

  • Electrical connection

  • Remote/control programming

  • Travel-limit adjustment

  • Alignment

  • Operational testing

  • Final commissioning

Following installation, the system is tested to confirm correct movement and control operation.

Care & Maintenance

Routine maintenance helps maintain reliable operation and appearance.

Recommended maintenance may include:

  • Keeping side channels clean

  • Removing dust and debris

  • Periodically cleaning the fabric according to its manufacturer's instructions

  • Inspecting guides and bottom rails

  • Checking fixings

  • Inspecting electrical connections

  • Checking motor operation

  • Inspecting screen alignment

  • Professional servicing where required

Screens should not be obstructed during operation.

Warranty & After-Sales Support

STRUCTAAS® provides project-specific warranty and technical support in accordance with the supplied system, motor, installation scope and approved commercial terms.

Our after-sales team can provide inspection, adjustment, maintenance and replacement of serviceable components where required.

Preventive servicing is recommended for frequently operated commercial and hospitality installations.

Why STRUCTAAS®?

We design our screen systems as part of the complete outdoor environment.

Instead of considering the roof, glazing and shading independently, STRUCTAAS® can coordinate:

  • Bioclimatic Louvre Pergolas

  • Motorized Retractable Roof Structures

  • Glass Enclosure Systems

  • Motorized Guillotine Glass Systems

  • Zip Screen & Blind Systems

  • Architectural lighting

  • Controls and automation

This integrated approach creates cleaner architecture and greater control over how an outdoor space responds to sunlight and weather.

Shade When You Need It. Open Views When You Don't.

Protect yourself from intense sunlight.

Create privacy when required.

Reduce glare.

Control ventilation.

Then retract the screen and reopen the space.

STRUCTAAS® Zip Screen & Blind Systems bring shading, privacy and adaptability together in one clean architectural solution.

Start Your Project

Planning a pergola, terrace, rooftop, restaurant, hotel or outdoor living project?

Speak with our team about a custom STRUCTAAS® Zip Screen & Blind System designed around your opening and architecture.

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STRUCTAAS® — Architectural Systems for Adaptable Outdoor Living.