Ziptrak® vs eZIP® Outdoor Blinds: Which One is Right for You?

When it comes to premium track guided outdoor blinds, two names come up again and again in Australia: Ziptrak® and eZIP®. Both are well regarded, both are built for Australian conditions, and over the years All About Shade has supplied and installed both across Perth and regional WA.

That experience is exactly why we’ve written this guide. Having watched both systems perform on real homes, through real Perth summers and real winter storms, we’ve come to a clear view on which one we’d put on our own patio. Below we take an honest look at what each system does well, where they differ, and why Ziptrak® is the track guided blind we recommend.

Why Choose Track Guided Outdoor Blinds?

Track guided outdoor blinds give you a clean, modern finish along with serious protection from sun, wind, rain and insects. Unlike traditional crank and clip systems, the blind runs inside side tracks, so the edges stay sealed and you can stop it at the height that suits you for light, airflow and privacy.

Ziptrak® and eZIP® both offer:

• Strong weather protection from sun, wind and rain
• Smooth, track guided operation with sealed sides that help keep the bugs out
• A wide range of mesh and clear PVC options
• Manual or motorised control
• Hardware finishes to match your home

Either way, the result is an outdoor room you can use all year round, without the cost of a renovation.

Two Leading Systems, Two Different Designs

On the surface, the two systems look similar. The real difference is in how the blind is held in the track.

Ziptrak® is the original track guided blind system. It’s Australian owned and invented, and it uses a patented design with no zips at all. Instead, a purpose made spline runs along the edges of the blind and glides in the side tracks. Manual blinds are spring balanced, so they move with very little effort and stop at any height, and Ziptrak® uses a closed system of Ziptrak® approved parts only.

eZIP® uses a zip along each edge of the fabric, which runs in an insert inside the side channel. This holds the fabric under high tension, and eZIP® is often specified with crank operation or full motorisation.

Ziptrak® vs eZIP®: Side by Side Comparison

Where eZIP® Does Well

To be fair to eZIP®, it’s a quality product and there are good reasons it’s one of the leading systems in Australia:

• Flat fabric at mid heights. The zip tension keeps the fabric taut when the blind is stopped part way, so there’s less visible waving.
• Crank and motorised options. It’s often chosen where crank operation or full motorisation is part of the brief.
• Clean architectural lines that suit modern homes and commercial spaces.

If you already have eZIP® blinds at home, there’s no need to worry. They’re a well made product, and looking after them with regular cleaning will help them last.

Why We Recommend Ziptrak®

When we compare the two over years of installs, the same four things keep coming up. They’re the reasons Ziptrak® is now the track guided system we focus on.

1. Reliability you can count on

Ziptrak® keeps things simple. There are no zips to wear, and the purpose made spline and closed system of Ziptrak® approved parts mean every component is designed to work together. With over 1.5 million installations, it’s a system that has been proven on a huge number of homes, and in our experience it simply keeps working, season after season, with fewer issues over time.

2. Built to last

Ziptrak® backs its components with a 5 year warranty, and Ziptrak® publishes its own wind testing, with blinds rated to handle winds up to 160 km/h when installed using the windy areas fixing method (tested on a 2.5m x 2.5m blind, so performance varies with size). That matters in Perth, where the Fremantle Doctor and winter fronts put outdoor blinds to the test every year. Read more in Are Ziptrak® Outdoor Blinds OK in Strong Winds?

3. Smooth, effortless operation

This is the one our customers notice every day. Ziptrak®’s spring balanced system lets you glide the blind up or down with one hand, and it stops wherever you let it go. The Centre Lock Release locks and unlocks from the middle with one touch, and a pull stick is available for taller blinds. Prefer a button? Motorised Ziptrak® blinds run on mains power or the SolarSmart™ solar option, with the motor hidden away in the pelmet.

4. Quality in every detail

• The Streamline Pelmet with Insect Control System is 60% thicker, fully aluminium and rust free, which makes it a great choice for coastal homes
• 6 standard Colorbond® hardware colours, or custom powder coat to match your home
• Removable post option for openings wider than 6m, plus extras like the Ziptrak® Doggy Door
• Clear and tinted PVC for cafe style blinds that hold back the wind and rain
• Genuine Ziptrak® components, supplied and installed by an authorised Ziptrak® retailer

What About Fabric Waves at Mid Height?

We said this would be balanced, so here it is. If you stop a Ziptrak® mesh blind halfway, you may see some gentle waves in the fabric. This is called scalloping and it’s a normal characteristic of mesh blinds, not a fault. If you mostly use your blinds fully up or fully down, you’ll rarely notice it, and it doesn’t affect how the blind performs. We explain why it happens in Scalloping Explained.

For most homes, we think that’s a small trade off for a blind that runs smoothly and reliably for years.

Which Should You Choose?

For almost every home we visit, the answer is the same: Ziptrak®. Here’s how it plays out for the most common situations.

• Coastal or windy location? Choose Ziptrak®. This is where it really shines. Ziptrak® rates its blinds to handle winds up to 160 km/h when installed using its windy areas fixing method, and Ziptrak® says it is the number one choice for some of the world’s windiest locations. From the Fremantle Doctor on the coast to exposed blocks in the South West and Wheatbelt, Ziptrak® has performed exceptionally well on our installs. Pair it with the rust free Streamline Pelmet for coastal homes.
• Want quick, everyday adjustments? Choose Ziptrak®. The spring balanced system glides up and down with one hand and stops wherever you let go, with no cranking.
• Want automation? Choose Ziptrak®. Motorised blinds run on mains power or SolarSmart™ solar, with the motor hidden in the pelmet and remote, app or voice control.
• Want the best long term value? Choose Ziptrak®. In our experience it’s the more reliable, longer lasting and smoother running system, backed by a 5 year component warranty and our 5 Year Guarantee on installation and workmanship.
• Like your blinds perfectly flat at half height? This is the one area where eZIP®’s zip tension has an edge. Even so, for most homes we still recommend Ziptrak®, because the small amount of scalloping at mid height is outweighed by everything above.

Ziptrak® and eZIP® are both leading track guided systems, and both can enclose an outdoor area. But when it comes to the things that matter most over the life of your blinds, which are reliability, longevity, smooth everyday operation, build quality and standing up to Perth’s wind, Ziptrak® has consistently come out ahead on the homes we’ve installed.

That’s why Ziptrak® Outdoor Blinds are the track guided blind we recommend. Whether you want to block the afternoon sun, shelter your patio from winter winds or create a year round entertaining space, we’ll tailor a Ziptrak® solution to fit your space and budget.

Our qualified installers fit every blind, and every installation is backed by our 5 Year Guarantee on installation and workmanship. Want to see how yours could look? Try our Ziptrak® blind designer or read five things you need to know about Ziptrak® Outdoor Blinds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is eZIP® a bad product?

No. eZIP® is one of the leading track guided systems in Australia and it does some things well, particularly holding the fabric flat at mid heights. We recommend Ziptrak® because, in our experience, it has been more reliable, longer lasting and smoother to operate over time.

Can Ziptrak® blinds be motorised?

Yes. Ziptrak® sunscreen mesh blinds can be motorised with mains power or the SolarSmart™ solar option, controlled by remote, wall switch, app or voice. Clear PVC blinds are manual. See our motorised outdoor blinds page for the options.

Are Ziptrak® blinds suitable for coastal and windy areas?

Yes, and it’s our first choice for coastal and windy sites. Ziptrak® rates its blinds to handle winds up to 160 km/h using its windy areas fixing method (tested on a 2.5m x 2.5m blind), and it has performed exceptionally well on our installs in exposed locations. As with any outdoor blind, we recommend raising them in severe storms.

Ready to Upgrade Your Outdoor Area?

Book your free measure and quote today and let us show you the Ziptrak® difference. Our friendly team will help you choose the right mesh, colours and options, and install it properly the first time.

📍 Proudly serving Perth & Regional WA
🔧 5 Year Guarantee on installation and workmanship
📞 Call 1300 559 579 or get started online

Sources

• Ziptrak®, About Track Guided (original system, no zips, closed system, 1.5 million installations, windiest locations), viewed October 2026: ziptrak.com.au/support/about-track-guided
• Ziptrak®, Blind Strength Project (160 km/h wind rating and test conditions), viewed October 2026: ziptrak.com.au/innovation/ziptrak-blind-strength-project
• Ziptrak®, Product Warranty: ziptrak.com.au/support/warranty