Outdoor Blinds

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It may be helpful to know the weight of an Omni Screen outdoor blind, for when you are planning installation, which is usually a two person job. Or for when you are deciding whether you want us to arrange residential delivery (extra cost, see the below FAQ) or are considering collecting the outdoor blind from your nearest Mainfreight depot to which we can send it freight included. To give you an idea of weight; a larger 3.3m wide X 2.4m drop Omni Screen outdoor blind weighs around 30kg. Once the outdoor blind is properly installed, weight isn't a factor to concern yourself with as it uses a gearbox system in terms of its operation. Lifting the outdoor blind is near effortless on your behalf. It is either motorised or utilises a manual crank handle attached to the gearbox winding mechanism

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Every other product here at Blinds Online Ltd has the freight to your door built in and is very competitive. When it comes to heavier, more expensive to freight, outdoor products (Omni Screens and Awnings) we take a different approach. Freight is included up to the closest Mainfreight depot to your location. From here you could collect promptly from the depot. Bear in mind the weight (see the FAQ above) and the length of the product to consider whether it will fit in your vehicle and whether you will be able to safely 'man-handle' (or woman-handle) it at your end. If you decide it is easier to have the Omni Screen delivered residentially to your home use $60 per screen as a good guideline to estimate cost (without me knowing your exact address as you read this)

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Yes. Fabric choices and whether you want motorisation aside, there are two main approaches to Omni Screen outdoor blinds; the OMNI LITE and the OMNI CHANNEL which are detailed below...

OMNI LITE is the economical, straight drop, minimal approach to outdoor screens. With a crank handle attached you manually wind the screen up and down. It safely anchors to the ground (anchors included) when lowered and rolls away neatly at the top when not in use. If there is any wind please have one person cranking while the other safely guides the screen up or down. Guiding the screen, as it isn't secured on the sides is the safest approach to ensure everyone is safe including your home and the screen itself when Omni Lite is chosen

OMNI CHANNEL is the slightly more expensive, however easier to operate solo, more weather tight outdoor screen approach. It is essentially the Omni Lite with the addition of side channels which increase wind protection and deliver a more streamlined finish. With the introduction of side channels the screen is guided and secured as it goes up and down making operation a one person event. Once the screen is down slide bolts in the bottom rail secure it to the side channels

Please advise which option, OMNI LITE or OMNI CHANNEL, is more appropriate when sending in your quote request

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Either by hand, manually, with the aid of a crank handle, or you can motorise them for complete ease of operation. If you are unsure which way to go (manual or motorised) request that I detail both options when sending in your quote form. Motorisation adds $855 per screen however you'll also need to factor in whatever your electrician will charge to wire it up into the house power supply

NOTE: If you are motorising the OMNI LITE option you will still need to closely monitor and hold the bottom rail as it raises or lowers to safe guard it from wind. The Omni Lite isn't held on the sides like the Omni Channel option so it does need you to oversee it going up and down for important safety reasons

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The Omni Channel can be set at different heights. You may wish to have set heights other than completely down to allow for some airflow in particular circumstances. Extra holes in the side channels, at the desired heights, for the slide locks to lock into, will need to be drilled, ideally during installation

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We unfortunately don't have a showroom setup to show off our Omni outdoor screens currently. I can provide plenty of literature, photos, and ensure you the manufacturers of this product have been making these successfully for many years now

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While it is pretty cool sitting back and hitting a remote to make your outdoor blind go down, you will still need to manually engage the slide-locks on the bottom rail once it is lowered, to secure the outdoor blind in place. It's not the end of the world if you become too lazy to engage the slide-locks manually, however if the wind does pick up, your outdoor blind will move around a bit. It is better if you lock the bottom rail in place in most situations

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Once your Omni Outdoor Blind is down it is ideal to manually activate the slide-locks to hold the screen in position and stop it moving or rattling in the wind. When it comes to lifting your motorised outdoor blind remember to first disengage the slide-locks before pressing the 'up' button. While the motor will cut out via its built-in torque stop feature, some damage to the slide-locks/channel isn't out of the question. Damage caused in this manner is not covered in your warranty. It is best to remember to disengage the slide-locks first.