Australia
Outdoor Curtains for Pergolas and Alfresco Areas: Shade, Privacy and Wind
How to choose and hang outdoor curtains for a pergola or alfresco area in Australian sun, wind and humidity.
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Quick answer: Outdoor curtains turn a pergola or alfresco area into a room you can use on the hottest afternoons. Choose a breathable, solution-dyed fabric such as Sunbrella so the colour holds in Australian sun and moisture can escape. Hang panels from a strong aluminium or stainless rod, tie them back on windy days, and take them down when the fire danger is high.
In much of Australia, the alfresco area is the real living room from October to April. But a pergola on its own doesn't stop the low afternoon sun, the neighbours' view or the wind that whips across the deck. Outdoor curtains do all three, and they make the space feel finished. Here's how to choose them for Australian conditions.
Why outdoor curtains make sense in Australia
Shade from strong UV
Australian UV is among the highest in the world. The Bureau of Meteorology rates UV 11 and above as Extreme, and recommends sun protection whenever the UV Index is 3 or more (BoM). In January, ARPANSA and Cancer Council say average UV is forecast at 11 or more across most of the country on clear days (ARPANSA).
Good shade can reduce UV exposure by up to 75%, according to the Cancer Institute NSW, but UV still reflects off pools, paving and sand. Curtains on the sunny side of a pergola help, but they don't replace a hat and sunscreen.
Privacy and wind
On a tight suburban block, a few panels on the boundary side make the alfresco feel private. Closed on the windward side, they also take the edge off a sea breeze or a dry northerly.
A softer look
Fabric softens a hard-edged pergola of posts and beams, and it ties in with your outdoor cushions.
Choosing the fabric
| Fabric | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Solution-dyed acrylic (e.g. Sunbrella) | Colour runs through the fibre, so it resists fading; breathes, so it dries faster | Water-resistant rather than waterproof |
| PVC or fully waterproof fabric | Keeps rain out completely | Doesn't breathe; moisture trapped at hems can lead to mould |
| Ordinary indoor fabric | Wide choice | Fades fast and can rot outdoors |
For most pergolas, a breathable solution-dyed fabric is the best balance. It dries quickly after a storm and holds its colour through summer. Browse outdoor curtains in Sunbrella.
Light or dark?
- Light colours (sand, white, stone) keep the space bright and reflect heat.
- Mid-tones (taupe, sage, grey) hide dust and pollen best.
- Dark colours look dramatic but feel warmer in direct afternoon sun.
Where to put curtains on a pergola
You rarely need curtains on every side. Start with the side that gets the hottest afternoon sun, usually the west, and the side that faces the neighbours. Leave the side facing the garden or pool open for the view and the breeze. If you're unsure, hang a bed sheet on a temporary line for a weekend and watch where the shade falls at 3pm.
Hanging outdoor curtains so they stay put
- Use the right rod. Aluminium or stainless steel stands up to coastal air. Plain or powder-coated steel can rust where it chips.
- Choose a heading that suits wind. Back tab and tab top curtains have no rings to rattle, so they're quiet and simple outdoors.
- Tie them back. On windy days, hold panels against the posts with tie-backs so they don't billow like sails.
- Weight the hem. A heavier hem helps panels hang straight in a breeze.
- Leave a small gap at the floor. Fabric that drags on wet paving stays damp and dirty.
Measure each opening between posts separately, and plan panels that add up to about twice the rod width so the folds look full. Our curtain size calculator works out the panel sizes for you.
Looking after outdoor curtains
In humid parts of the country, mould is the main enemy. Brisbane averages about 140 mm of rain in December alone (BoM).
- Let them dry open. A wet panel left bunched in a tie-back can take days to dry. After rain, let it hang loose.
- Brush them down regularly. Mildew grows on dust and pollen, not on Sunbrella itself.
- Clean mildew spots promptly. Sunbrella's method is 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and 1 teaspoon of bleach per cup (250 ml) of water, then rinse thoroughly and air dry (Sunbrella cleaning guide).
- Take them down for long wet spells or storms, and store them dry.
Bushfire-prone areas
If you live in a bushfire-prone area, treat outdoor curtains like any other outdoor fabric. The CFA advises removing flammable items such as furniture and doormats from decks and verandahs and moving them away from the house, because embers can ignite them (CFA). Take curtains and cushions down and store them inside when the fire danger is high, and include them in your bushfire plan.
Matching cushions and curtains
Ordering curtains and cushions in the same Sunbrella fabric gives the alfresco area a pulled-together look. Pick one fabric for the curtains and a contrasting colour for scatter cushions, or match everything for a calm, resort feel. Browse custom outdoor cushions and see our alfresco and poolside cushion ideas.
Ordering
Every panel is made to your width and drop in millimetres and cut within 6 mm (maximum ±25 mm). Standard sizes take 2–3 weeks to make, delivery is free anywhere in Australia, and there's no import duty or GST to pay on arrival. Order swatches to see colours in your own light first.
Frequently asked questions
Are outdoor curtains waterproof?
Most breathable outdoor fabrics, including most Sunbrella, are water-resistant rather than waterproof. That helps them dry quickly and resist mould.
How do I stop outdoor curtains blowing around?
Tie them back to the posts on windy days, use a weighted hem and choose a heading without rings.
Do outdoor curtains block UV?
They add shade, which reduces UV, but reflected UV still reaches you. Keep using sun protection.
Can I leave outdoor curtains up all year?
In most places, yes, if you keep them clean and let them dry open. Take them down for storms, long wet spells and high fire danger days.
