Outdoor Roller Blinds or Wooden Blinds for a Malaysian Patio or Balcony?
Both are outdoor blinds for a Malaysian patio or condo balcony: choose an Outdoor Roller blind for one flat sheet of shade, or outdoor wooden blinds for the warm, natural look of wood or bamboo. Wood asks for more care: it must dry out after rain, and oil finishes weather, so ask Promolink how often to re-oil. Whichever you pick, raise it before a storm and check your condo's by-laws first.
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Key takeaways
- Promolink's range includes an Outdoor Roller blind motorised, and outdoor wooden blinds in wood and bamboo for balconies, patios, gazebos and backyards.
- Outside the east coast, MetMalaysia puts the Peninsula's rainiest months in October and November.
- MetMalaysia says thunderstorms are usually accompanied with strong winds and heavy rain in a short period of time.
- The USDA Wood Handbook says wood will not decay if it is kept air dry, and that oil finishes lose their water repellency as they weather.
- By-law 29(2) of the Strata Management (Maintenance and Management) Regulations 2015 requires the management's prior written approval for a fitting that changes the appearance of the building facade, which includes balconies.
How do an Outdoor Roller blind and an outdoor wooden blind compare?
An Outdoor Roller blind gives one flat sheet of outdoor fabric, while an outdoor wooden blind gives the natural look of wood or bamboo slats and needs more care after rain. The roller blind rolls up at the top of the opening; the wooden blind is a screen of slats.
Promolink describes its Outdoor Roller blinds as Engineered for maximum shading and minimal window obstruction
, and one model is the Outdoor Roller Blind Sunscreen Weatherproof. Its outdoor wooden blinds are made for balconies, patios, gazebos and backyards. Promolink says they come with teak oil protection, are weather and fungus resistant, and last up to 10 years.
| What matters | Outdoor Roller blind | Outdoor wooden blind |
|---|---|---|
| Sun and glare | Engineered for maximum shading, Promolink says | Glare reduction and protection from sunlight, Promolink says |
| Monsoon rain | Promolink names one model Sunscreen Weatherproof; the US EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours | Protection from rain, Promolink says; the wood gets wet and must dry |
| Strong wind | Raise it before a storm; ask how it is held at the sides and rated for wind | Raise and secure it before a storm; ask how it is rated for wind |
| View and privacy | Depend on the fabric you choose | Daytime privacy, Promolink says; little view while lowered |
| Upkeep | Keep it clean, and let it dry before it stays rolled up | Dry it after rain; teak oil protection, Promolink says; ask how often to re-oil |
| Motorised | Yes: the Outdoor Roller blind motorised is in Promolink's range | Ask Promolink |
| Look | Clean, sleek, modern lines, Promolink says | A natural look for a tropical and rustic theme, Promolink says |
For sun and heat, Promolink says its indoor and outdoor blinds keep spaces cooler and protect interiors from harmful UV rays. Both types shade from outside the glass, which our guide to keeping a hot room cool explains. One customer wrote about a balcony:
We did outdoor blinds for our balcony and it really helps reduce heat in the afternoon.
Karthik Murugan, a customer review on promolink.com.my
How do they handle monsoon rain and strong wind?
For rain, Promolink says its outdoor wooden blinds protect from sunlight and rain; for a sudden storm, raise either type, and Promolink's page on its motorised systems says Push the button or set the timer
. After a storm, the wood has to dry out, and wet fabric should be left to dry too.
Outside the east coast, MetMalaysia puts the Peninsula's rainiest months in October and November, and what it calls early-morning Sumatras affect the southwest coast from May to August (MetMalaysia, Climate of Malaysia). Winds are generally light, but sea breezes of 10 to 15 knots very often develop on sunny afternoons. Thunderstorms are usually accompanied with strong winds and heavy rain in a short period of time
(MetMalaysia thunderstorm criteria).
The European standard for external blinds and awnings, EN 13561:2015, covers vertical roller blinds and has a clause on resistance to wind loads (EN 13561, standard preview). At the measuring visit, ask how the fabric is held at the sides (left loose, in side channels or on cables) and how the blind is rated for wind. Promolink also offers a Zip blind motorised, which you can ask about at the same visit.
Can you keep the view and still have privacy?
With an Outdoor Roller blind, the view and the privacy depend on the fabric; with an outdoor wooden blind, you give up most of the view while it is down, in return for privacy. Promolink says its outdoor wooden blinds offer daytime privacy.
Before you order, look through a fabric sample towards daylight to see how much of the view stays, then hold it in front of a lamp to judge how much of a lit patio shows at night.
Which needs more upkeep in Malaysian humidity?
Outdoor wooden blinds need more upkeep: the wood has to dry out after rain and oil finishes weather, while an Outdoor Roller blind mainly needs to be kept clean and left to dry. The USDA Wood Handbook says wood will not decay if it is kept air dry.
The handbook says serious decay occurs only when wood's moisture content is above the fibre saturation point, on average 30%. Dried wood gets there only when rain or condensation wets it, or when it is in contact with wet ground. Humid air alone will not wet wood enough for significant decay, but it lets some mould grow (USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 14).
Re-oiling is part of caring for outdoor wood. The handbook counts oils among the penetrating finishes, which do not peel. As they weather, they lose their water repellency and turn grey, but the handbook notes the ease of refinishing them (USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 16). Ask Promolink how often to re-oil.
Fabric is easier, not maintenance-free. The US EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mould (EPA mould guide). If you raise a wet Outdoor Roller blind for a storm, lower it to dry once the rain stops. Indoor timber is a different case: see our guide to timber blinds in humid weather.
Is a motorised Outdoor Roller blind worth it on a patio or balcony?
A motorised Outdoor Roller blind is worth it when the blind is wide or hard to reach, or when you want to raise it before a storm and lower it again before the afternoon sun. Promolink's range includes an Outdoor Roller blind motorised; if you prefer wood or bamboo, ask Promolink whether a motor suits its outdoor wooden blinds.
Promolink's page on its motorised systems puts the controls simply: Push the button or set the timer
. Our guide to motorised curtains in Malaysia compares mains and battery motors.
Ask Promolink how its motorised Outdoor Roller blind is powered. If it runs on mains power, plan the supply first: in a strata building, by-law 28(3) bars tapping electricity from the common property without the management's written approval, so the supply should come from your own unit. By-law 29(1) prohibits drilling within 300 mm of concealed pipes and electrical conduits, so the installer should check the wall before drilling.
Do you need your condo management's approval first?
Usually, yes: the standard strata by-laws say a fitting that changes the appearance of the building facade needs the management's prior written approval, and the facade includes balconies. Whether a blind counts is for the management to decide, so ask the management office before you order either type.
By-law 29(2) is in the Third Schedule of the Strata Management (Maintenance and Management) Regulations 2015. It bars any fitting, fixture or change to the exterior of a parcel that will affect or change the appearance of the common property or building facade
without the prior written approval of the management corporation.
The same by-law defines the facade to include external windows, balconies and terraces (the Regulations, P.U. (A) 107). Under by-law 2(1)(a), the management corporation is read as the joint management body (JMB) or the developer where one of them runs the building. Show the office the blind's colour, size and fixing points.
This is a plain summary of the standard strata by-laws, not legal advice.
Where can you get Outdoor Roller blinds and outdoor wooden blinds in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor?
Promolink Actions Sdn. Bhd. makes Outdoor Roller blinds, including an Outdoor Roller blind motorised, and outdoor wooden blinds in wood and bamboo, and has an office in Petaling Jaya and a showroom in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. Promolink has supplied made-to-measure curtains, blinds and electric curtain systems in Malaysia since 1998, and offers free consultation, measurement and installation, with warranty and after-sales care.
- Office: A-13A-01, PJ MidTown, Jalan Kemajuan, Seksyen 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
- Showroom: B-25-08, Residensi MH Platinum 2, No.12, Jalan Usahawan 6, Setapak Jaya 2, 53200 Kuala Lumpur.
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 7pm; closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Directions are on the Contact Us page, and short answers on outdoor blinds are on the Promolink FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Do outdoor wooden blinds rot in Malaysian weather?
Not while they are kept dry. The USDA Wood Handbook says wood will not decay if it is kept air dry, and serious decay occurs only when its moisture content is above the fibre saturation point, on average 30%, which rain or condensation can bring. Humid air alone is not enough for significant decay. Promolink says its outdoor wooden blinds come with teak oil protection and are weather and fungus resistant.
How often should outdoor wooden blinds be re-oiled?
Ask Promolink how often to re-oil its teak oil finish. The USDA Wood Handbook counts oils among the penetrating finishes, which do not peel but, as they weather, lose their water repellency and turn grey, and it notes the ease of refinishing them. When the wood starts to look grey or water no longer runs off it, it is time for another coat.
Do I need approval to put blinds on my condo balcony?
Usually, yes. Under by-law 29(2) of the Strata Management (Maintenance and Management) Regulations 2015, a fitting that changes the appearance of the building facade needs the management corporation's prior written approval, and the facade includes balconies. Where a joint management body runs the building, the by-laws read the management corporation as the JMB. Ask the management office before you order.
What should I do with an outdoor blind when a thunderstorm comes?
Raise it. MetMalaysia says thunderstorms are usually accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain in a short period of time, and the European standard for external blinds, EN 13561, has a clause on resistance to wind loads. Once the storm passes, lower a wet blind to dry; the US EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mould.
Where does the power for a motorised Outdoor Roller blind come from in a condo?
Ask Promolink how its motorised Outdoor Roller blind is powered. If it runs on mains power, plan the supply from your own unit: by-law 28(3) of the standard strata by-laws says a proprietor shall not tap electricity from the common property without the management's written approval. By-law 29(1) also prohibits drilling within 300 mm of concealed pipes and electrical conduits, so the installer should check the wall before fixing anything.
Ask Promolink to measure your patio or balcony
WhatsApp Promolink a photo of the patio or balcony with its rough width and height, and arrange a free consultation and measurement.
WhatsApp usCall 012-292 5582Sources
- MetMalaysia, Climate of Malaysia. https://www.met.gov.my/en/pendidikan/iklim-malaysia/
- MetMalaysia, Thunderstorm Warning Issuance Criteria. https://www.met.gov.my/en/ramalan/ribut-petir
- Strata Management (Maintenance and Management) Regulations 2015, P.U. (A) 107, Third Schedule by-laws (copy on the DBKL website). https://www.dbkl.gov.my/files/senarai-perundangan/subsidiari/2-peraturan-107.pdf
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Wood Handbook (2021), Chapter 14: Biodeterioration of Wood. https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/62262.pdf
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Wood Handbook (2021), Chapter 16: Finishing Wood. https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/62269.pdf
- US EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home. https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home
- EN 13561:2015, External blinds and awnings: performance requirements including safety (preview, Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing). https://normy.normoff.gov.sk/norma/121205/nahlad/
- Promolink, Outdoor Roller Blinds. https://www.promolink.com.my/products/outdoor-roller-blinds/
- Promolink, Outdoor Roller Blind Sunscreen Weatherproof. https://www.promolink.com.my/products/outdoor-roller-blind-sunscreen-weatherproof/
- Promolink, Outdoor Wooden Blinds. https://www.promolink.com.my/products/outdoor-wooden-blinds/
- Promolink, Silent Gliss Motorised system. https://www.promolink.com.my/products/silent-gliss-motorised-system/
- Promolink, About Us. https://www.promolink.com.my/about-us/
- Promolink, customer reviews on the home page. https://www.promolink.com.my/