FAQs

Australian Made

Are your products Australian Made?

Lakeview Blinds, Awnings & Shutters are proud holders of the Australian Made Licence. Almost all of our products are sourced locally or manufactured in our Warners Bay factory by our multi-skilled and qualified staff. It’s this focus on Australian Made Blinds & Awnings that has been so crucial to our success.

Our team produce the highest quality Australian Blinds Awnings & Shutters on site at our Warners Bay Factory and Showroom, keeping jobs local and supporting our community.

You can view our full range of Australian Made products here

View our Australian Made Licence here and our Official Profile here to learn more about our Australian Made Blinds & Awnings.

Pricing and Quotes

How much is a measure and quote?

Lakeview Blinds offer a free measure and quote.

How much will my blinds cost?

Everything we make is made to measure to the millimetre so it is difficult to give you a 'square metre rate' or 'piece rate'.

The main determinants of price are fabric and textile finishes and these are grouped from lowest to highest, so a 'group 1' material will be the cheapest.

Our design consultant can give you an exact costing in your home or you can get an approximation at our showroom.

Can I call up to get a price over the phone?

Due to company policy we are not allowed to give the pricing over the phone, but you can come into our Showroom or email us with your measurements and we can obtain a price for you. Or you can request a free measure and quote.

How much for an ‘average-sized window’?

There is no such thing. Windows come in a huge range of sizes. We must have accurate measurements to start with.

What is the procedure for placing an order?

We require 30% deposit to initiate an order. The balance is due three days prior to installation. We accept all major credit cards as well as bank cheque, money order and cash.

We can also take your order over the phone with your credit card or you can mail in your payment. If there are any alterations to the order these will need to be clarified prior to placing the order as it may affect the price.

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Yes we do require a 30% deposit.

When is the balance due?

Three days prior to installation date. We will call you to organise payment and finalise your installation.

How long does it take?

When will my blinds be ready?

Each product has a different lead-time however we try and coordinate all products in to one convenient delivery.

In some situations, it may be desirable for you to split the order to obtain some products ahead of others. Your sales agent or showroom consultant will be able to advise you of the lead-times for each product.

Remember to have any existing window coverings down prior to the installation of your new blinds (unless alternative arrangements have been made).

How long does it take to fit new blinds?

Every Product has a different installation time – please be patient with our installers. We do ask you to be home.

Warranty and Repairs

Can you repair my blinds?

We can only look at repairing blinds which are ours. That is, we do not repair blinds made or sold by any other company. Also, we do not repair blinds more than 7 years old.

Even in these cases, it is often a more cost-effective option to get new blinds. You may bring the blinds into your nearest showroom, or we can come out to visit you.

What is your warranty?

Our warranties do vary depending on the product, please see our T and C's and our product brochures for more information.

My Shutter blade broke, what can I do?

You can buy a Shutter Pin to replace yourself, we have them here at our Warners Bay Showroom and is an easy fix. See below for our step by step instructions and video tutorial.

  1. Begin by taking the shutter blade and marking a pencil line as a guide for proper alignment during installation.
  2. If the pin has snapped off inside the shutter blade, use a drill to remove it.
  3. In the event that the pin is broken within the shutter frame, employ a Stanley blade to pop it out.
  4. Insert pins into each end of the shutter frame.
  5. Attach the shutter blade to the end without the hidden tilt rod first.
  6. Utilise a screwdriver or similar tool to push the remaining pin into the hole, aligning the blade using the previously marked pencil line as a guide.
  7. Test the blade to ensure it moves freely.
  8. If you need to reattach the hidden tilt rod, align the screw hole of the rod with the blade and secure it by drilling in the screw.

TIP: If the tilt rod was still attached to the broken shutter blade at both ends, de attach it from one end before beginning Step 1

Play Video
Can my Awnings be left down in the Rain/Wind?

No, Awnings are for Sun and Heat Purposes only.

My Vertical Clip/Carrier is broken, how do I fix it?

Every Vertical manufacturer is different, if the Vertical is Lakeview’s and is 2 years old we can replace it. Simply come into the office to buy the part. If not you can replace the Vertical Track and gain the warranty.

Made to Measure Products

What is the best way to provide measurements to you for a quote?

We have put together some guidelines to help you measure your window/s.

Are your blinds 100% made to measure or are they cut down blinds?

All our blinds and shutters are 100% made to measure and NOT cut downs.

Do you keep stock blinds?

No, everything is made to measure.

Motorisation and Automation

What do the lights mean on my 12V Motorised Awnings / Blinds

Alpha 12 Volt Light Indicator

Charger Light Motor Light Description Fault
Red Red Motor is charging. Charging should take up to 6 hours to fully charge, then motor light will turn green, charger light will turn green 15 minutes later
Red Green Mmotor is now fully charged. Charger light will turn green within 15 minutes
Green Red Motor will no longer charge to full capacity Make sure that customer is using an Alpha 16.8 volt charger. 3rd Party chargers will not charge the Alpha motor. If the charger being used is 16.8 v and lights will not change, motor is faulty - replace motor
Green Green Motor is fully charged If you remove the charger from the motor and the remote does not work or you cannot assign the remote to the motor - motor is faulty - (please first check the batteries in the remote control)
Red Orange Motor is extremely flat - motor will not respond until you have charged the motor for at least 20 minutes
Red Flashing Red Motor is extremely flat - motor will not respond until you have charged the motor for at least 20 minutes
Red Flashing Red/Green/Red Alternating Motor is extremely flat - motor will not respond until you have charged the motor for at least 20 minutes
I've connected my 12V Awnings / Blinds to charge, but they don't seem to be charging. What's the issue?

Are you using the provided Alpha Charger for charging? While it's possible that other chargers may physically fit, they will not effectively charge your Alpha Motorised Blinds and Awnings. You must use the supplied 16.8V Alpha Charger as shown in the images below.

Charger Charger

Industry Guidelines

Blind Manufacturers Association of Australia Industry Guidelines

Industry Guideline Fit for Purpose

BMAA ‘Fit for Purpose’ Statement

  • BMAA members’ products are specifically designed to be used for the recommended purpose and are guaranteed to be supplied free of defects.
  • ‘Free of Defects’ means that the product meets its published description and specification, and is homogeneous in appearance after allowance for minor variance that is inherent on the processes of production.
  • The product has performed satisfactorily when used in its design context in all of the climatic extremes experienced throughout Australia.
  • ‘Satisfactorily’ means with continued but gradually diminished utility over its expected life, due to the unavoidable effects of Ultra Violet Radiation and weathering, such as colour variation, strength loss and dimensional change.
  • ‘Expected life’ is at least the period covered by warranty, provided the product is installed properly, and cleaned and maintained as recommended.

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Industry Guideline for Faults

BMAA has prepared an Industry Guideline to assist manufacturers and retailers deal with customer queries regarding the final product. This guideline is in no way a substitute for legal advice. Businesses are bound by legislation such as Australian Consumer Law and Australian Standards such as AS2663.2-1999, Textiles – Fabrics for window furnishings – Coated curtain fabrics.

This Guideline is one that is accepted by the industry and should be seen as a “reasonable” test for looking at a perceived fault.

Recommended Industry Guideline for Faults:

The acceptable guideline for imperfections, marks, dots etc. on completed product is:

  • If an imperfection is visible with the naked eye in natural daylight at a distance of 1.2 metres, it is not acceptable.
  • If an imperfection is not visible with the naked eye in natural daylight at a distance of 1.2 metres it is acceptable.

Minor colour variations may occur between any colour swatch supplied and the order received, as the colour swatch is a guide only, this includes paint, stain and lacquers.

This Guideline does not override any rights under Australian Consumer Law

References:

Standards Australia AS 2663.2-1999, Textiles – Fabrics for window furnishings – Coated curtain fabrics. Available from SAI Global.
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL)

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Industry Guideline for Plantation Shutters

BMAA has prepared an Industry Guideline regarding Plantation Shutters.

Plantation Shutters are an appealing window and door dressing, considered to be at the pinnacle of window covering types. They are manufactured from robust materials, and are considered to be fine furniture that typically increases the value of a home.

Compared to other window covering types, the robust nature of Plantation Shutters also makes them substantially heavier, and when gravity combines with a Hinged or Bi-fold installation method, it is usual for slight dropping or sagging to occur to the panels when operated out of their closed position.

The louvres of the shutter are used to control the light entering a room, but where access to the window is required for opening or cleaning the window, the shutter panels can be swung out of the way. It is expected that the panel will need to be lifted or assisted back into the window frame when closing, to support the panel and avoid damage to the window frame. To maintain structural integrity, shutter panels should be returned to their closed position promptly.

Shutters are not expected to provide complete blockout, and are designed primarily to allow the user to easily and efficiently control light and airflow.

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Industry Guideline for Awnings

BMAA has prepared an Industry Guideline regarding Awnings.

Important Note: Acrylic Fabrics Common Irregularities

The nature of the fabric is that, regardless of all the attention that is paid during manufacturing and preparation, you might note some natural “imperfections” after your awning is installed. These small irregularities in your fabric are perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

Waffelbuilding or Veining – Subsequent to handling during fabrication and assembly, acrylic fabrics treated with resins containing fluoride may show “veining” visible against the sunlight caused by an optical effect (differences in the refractions of light).

White Lines or Folds – Subsequent to handling during fabrication and assembly, acrylic fabrics treated with resins containing fluoride may show small white traces that appear on the fabric due to the stiffness that is caused by the fluoride treatment. These lines are particularly visible in light fabrics as they are held up against the light.

Waviness or Corrugation in the seam/weld area – As the fabric rolls up along the roller tube on the awning the seams will roll up with more accumulated material than the areas surrounding it. This difference in thickness may cause the fabric to wrinkle slightly around the seams. This may affect one seam but not the seam next to it.

These small irregularities in your fabric are normal and nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if you notice the slightest problem concerning the major qualities of your fabric within its warranty please let the supplier know.

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Let us help you plan your blinds project with a consultation from your local Lakeview expert.