Ziptrak Blinds Wind Rating: How Strong Are They Really?

Understanding Ziptrak® Wind Resistance on the Sunshine Coast

Living on the Sunshine Coast offers a beautiful coastal lifestyle, but it also means our homes are frequently exposed to strong ocean breezes and sudden storm fronts. When investing in outdoor blinds, wind resistance is one of the most critical factors to consider. To provide homeowners with peace of mind, Ziptrak R&I recently published their official Blind Strength Wind Testing report (Version 3, Sept 2024), detailing exactly how much wind force these systems can handle.

How Wind Forces Act on Outdoor Blinds

When wind hits an outdoor blind, it doesn't just push against it; it creates immense forces that act like a heavy weight pressing onto the entire surface area. To fully understand these forces, Ziptrak performed both physical and theoretical testing on the complete blind system as well as specific components like the Side Spline.

Complete Blind System Testing

In the Ziptrak Engineering Lab, a standard 2.5m x 2.5m blind was installed using the recommended fixings for windy areas. A massive static load of 755 kg was applied to the blind, which equates to wind speeds of over 160 km/hr. Impressively, the blind handled this extreme force and continued to function properly afterwards.

Side Spline Strength

The Side Spline is what locks the fabric into the tracks. A horizontal pull-test on one side of a 2.5m high blind achieved an incredible 1,200 kg equivalent force. This is more than four times the force exerted by a 160 km/hr wind on a 2.5m x 2.5m blind, and double the force for a massive 2.5m x 5.5m wide blind. Rest assured, when installed correctly, the standard spline stays firmly in the track even under extreme conditions.

Scientific Testing & Bernoulli's Principle

Using theoretical calculations based on Bernoulli's Principle alongside advanced Ziptrak software simulations, engineers discovered that the majority of wind force transmits directly to the side tracks—not the top tube or bottom bar—and is concentrated in the centre portion of the blind. For an average 2.5m x 2.5m blind, the actual force required to pull the spline out of the track is more than three times the force experienced at 160 km/hr.

Interestingly, a larger 2.5m high x 5.5m wide blind experiencing winds at 110 km/hr faces similar total forces to a 2.5m x 2.5m blind at 160 km/hr—both equating to approximately 755 kg of static load.

Physical Testing & Continuous Improvement

Ziptrak's commitment to durability dates back to physical testing conducted by the University of Adelaide in 2018. The findings from this methodology have driven continuous design enhancements, including a new track and spline introduced in 2019, a redesigned bottom bar and guide in late 2023, and updated fixing instructions in 2024. The system is rigorously re-tested after each major development.

In the most recent tests, a 2.5m x 2.5m blind featuring all the new componentry and installed with Windy Areas fixings successfully withstood 876 kg of force—equivalent to an astounding 172 km/hr wind—without system failure. While there was minor permanent stretching in the skin and visible stress at the fixing points, the blind remained entirely operational.

In a separate focused study, just a 500mm section of the Small (65mm) Side Spline within a standard Track withstood more than 480 kg per metre of horizontal static force.

Wind Rating Results by Blind Size

The size of your blind and the way it is fixed to your home dictate its official wind rating. Below are the tested wind rating thresholds comparing the Standard Fixing Procedure against the Windy Areas Fixing Procedure.

How Blind Size & Fabric Affect Wind Performance

When it comes to resisting strong winds, smaller blinds handle high winds significantly better than large ones simply because they have less surface area catching the wind. The type of fabric you choose also plays a major role. Solid PVC and blockout fabrics act like a solid wall, presenting the highest wind barrier. In contrast, open mesh styles (such as a 95% woven mesh) allow a portion of the wind to pass through, effectively reducing the pressure on the system and increasing its overall wind resistance.

Installation Structure Matters

Even the strongest blind is only as secure as what it's attached to. Blinds are installed into various structures—brick, timber, steel—all with different inherent wind resistances. For instance, wooden structures may expand or contract seasonally, and soil movement can subtly alter the shape of openings over time. Because fixings are absolutely essential to performance, Ziptrak recommends specific, heavy-duty fixings based on the blind's size and the anticipated wind levels of the installation site.

Key Takeaways

• Ziptrak® blinds withstand wind speeds over 160 km/hr for a standard 2.5m × 2.5m blind with windy area fixings
• Side Spline requires more than 480 kg/metre of force to pull from tracks
• Windy area fixings provide approximately 30% more wind resistance than standard fixings
• Latest testing (876 kg / 172 km/hr) showed the system withstands extreme loads without failure
• Smaller blinds and open mesh fabrics handle higher wind speeds than larger blinds with solid PVC
• University of Adelaide-tested methodology, continuously improved since 2018

Why Choose Kawana Blinds for Your Ziptrak® Installation?

As authorised Ziptrak dealers on the Sunshine Coast, Kawana Blinds ensures every installation uses genuine Ziptrak componentry and follows official fixing recommendations. Manufactured locally in Warana, our team understands coastal conditions from Noosa to Caloundra.