Wire guide awnings & blinds · 316 stainless Clean lines, marine-grade cables.
Wire guide awnings & blinds
Wire guide awnings give a modern look with high-quality stainless steel guide cables and componentry. Operated by manual crank or motor, the blind can be positioned at any level down the guides. KC Shade fabricates three cable-guided systems: Wire Guide, the Alpha Cable Guide and Ziptrak® Cable-Guided.
Wire guide. A reliable choice for gusty and coastal sites, with a virtually unobstructed view and few moving parts.
Specification — Wire guide
Source: supplier documentation- Operation
- Gear and crank; motorised
- Hoods
- Alpha (open or closed); none
- Bottom rails
- Alpha (silver pearl)
- Hold-downs
- Dog clips; chain adapters & saddles; bungee loops & hooks; straps & breeching staples
- Fabrics
- Mesh; acrylic; canvas
- Component colours
- See KC Shade component colour chart. Powder coating on request.
- Hardware & construction
- High-tensile 2.5 mm 316 marine-grade stainless steel cables, suited to coastal sites
Features
- Superior wind resistance
- Virtually unobstructed view
- Sleek, minimal cable system
- Durable and low-maintenance
- Patios, balconies, pergolas and commercial
- Manual or motorised
Where it suits
Wire guide awnings are the clean, modern alternative to channel-guided blinds. Two slim stainless cables replace bulky side channels, so the view out stays almost unobstructed and the blind looks at home on contemporary architecture.
The cables hold the blind on line as it moves, so it can stop at any height and handles wind better than a free-hanging blind. Marine-grade 316 stainless resists corrosion, which makes wire guide a dependable choice close to the coast.
Pair a mesh fabric for sun control with airflow and view, or acrylic and canvas for more shade and privacy. Add a motor for larger or hard-to-reach openings.
- Patios, balconies and pergolas
- Coastal and exposed sites
- Commercial outdoor areas
- Openings where side channels would spoil the view
Alpha Cable Guide. A contemporary straight drop for sun and UV protection and airflow where channels aren't suitable. High-tensile 2.5 mm 316 marine stainless cables, ideal for coastal sites.
Specification — Alpha Cable Guide
Source: supplier documentation- Bottom rail end caps
- Float in and out of the rail so the awning runs smoothly without pressure on the cable
- Locking bolts
- Insert into the universal floor and wall bracket to keep fabric taut
- Extension plate / front roll
- Eases ceiling and reveal-fit installs
Alpha series hardware
- Operation
- Crank to motor; Light Lift; spring (Automatic Straight Drop)
- Hoods
- Alpha hood, open or closed
- Bottom rails
- Alpha (silver pearl)
- Hold-downs
- Dog clips; chain adapters & saddles; bungee loops & hooks; straps & breeching staples
- Fabrics
- Mesh; acrylic; canvas; PVC
- Component colours
- Silver pearl standard. See KC Shade component colour chart. Powder coating on request.
- Hardware & construction
- Alpha Straight Drop, Cable Guide, SRS and Pivot Arm; 2.5 mm 316 stainless cable
- Sizes
- Max width 5 m
Part of the Alpha series: Straight Drop, Cable Guide, Side Retention and Pivot Arm share one hardware system. About the Alpha series →
Ziptrak® Cable-Guided. Discreet stainless steel cables replace the side tracks, so the blind goes where tracks won't: openings with no posts or walls to fix to, uneven ground and open spaces, and smaller windows.
Specification — Ziptrak® Cable-Guided (summary)
Source: Ziptrak®- Guidance
- Stainless steel guide cables (no side tracks or vertical posts needed)
- Operation
- Motorised, crank or assisted crank (assisted crank recommended over 2.5 m wide)
- Fabrics
- Mesh and clear PVC
Full Ziptrak® Cable-Guided details. Minimum widths, component photos and the track-guided version are on the Ziptrak® Outdoor page.
Frequently asked questions
Are wire guide awnings suitable for coastal sites?
Yes. They run on high-tensile 2.5 mm 316 marine-grade stainless steel cables, which suit gusty and coastal sites.
How are wire guide awnings operated?
By manual gear and crank, or motorised. The blind can be stopped at any level down the guides.
What fabrics can be used?
Mesh, acrylic or canvas.
Can the hardware be colour matched?
Components follow the KC Shade component colour chart, with powder coating on request.
What is the difference between wire guide and the Alpha Cable Guide?
Both use 2.5 mm 316 stainless cables. The Alpha Cable Guide uses Alpha series componentry and spans up to 5 m.
Can Ziptrak® also be cable-guided?
Yes. Ziptrak® Cable-Guided runs on stainless steel cables instead of side tracks, up to 5 m wide × 3.5 m drop, in mesh or clear PVC.
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