Zip screens are practical because they combine sun, wind, rain and insect protection in one product and cause few faults; whether they are expensive depends on what you compare them with. Their main drawbacks are no thermal insulation and the need for power.
Are they expensive?
It depends on the comparison. Against a simple roller blind or fabric awning a zip screen costs more, because it is a system of aluminium cassette, side rails, zipped fabric and motor. On the other hand it replaces several products at once: sunshade, windbreak, rain cover and insect screen.
Price depends on size, fabric group, sensors and controls, number of screens and installation; there is no single price per m². See what determines zip screen prices. As a rule, larger areas have less waste and a lower cost per m².
Advantages
- Multi-purpose: blocks sun, cuts wind by about 70%, keeps water out, works as an insect screen.
- Stable in wind: edges locked in the rails; withstands up to 120 km/h.
- Few faults: the fabric does not tear; unless the motor fails there is little to go wrong.
- Easy to use: remote-controlled; no special cleaning, washable fabric.
- Keeps the view: you can see out through the micro-perforated fabric by day.
Disadvantages
- No insulation: stops wind but not cold; a room used in winter needs glass (details).
- Needs power: a cable is needed for the motor. Manual models exist but are more troublesome, and the price gap is small (comparison).
- Leaves and branches: trees, climbers or flowers in front can catch in the rail.
- Size limit: one screen is at most 4500 × 3000 mm; wider fronts are split.
- Lifespan: 5–7 years on average; less than glass systems, longer with care.
Who it suits
| Need | Zip screen? |
|---|---|
| Closing pergola or terrace sides against wind and sun | Yes, the most common use |
| Sun and insect control on a balcony | Yes |
| Reducing summer heat under a conservatory glass roof | Yes, with the roof model Sky Zip |
| A fully enclosed, heated winter room | Not alone; a glass system such as guillotine glass is needed |
Compare alternatives in zip screen vs shutter vs roller blind. All our systems carry a 2-year warranty. Book a free survey.
