MAGNAZip+ and Ziptrak® are both outdoor blind systems, but they were developed around different environments and homeowner priorities.
Ziptrak® originated in Australia, where outdoor blinds are commonly installed around patios, verandas and backyard entertainment areas. We developed MAGNAZip+ locally for Singapore’s high-rise balconies, where protection from the weather must also be balanced with fabric tension, appearance and everyday use.
While both systems provide outdoor protection, MAGNAZip+ is better suited to Singapore’s high-rise balconies. It was developed locally to address our climate, architectural conditions and the visible fabric creasing that commonly affects wide, front-facing installations.
What Is the Difference Between MAGNAZip+ and Ziptrak®?
The primary difference lies in their product focus and how they manage the blind fabric.
Ziptrak® is an Australian-developed patented side spline track-guided system commonly used to enclose patios, verandas and backyard entertainment areas, which are not commonly found in Singapore. The blind fabric travels within vertical side tracks, helping to enclose outdoor spaces and provide protection from sunlight, wind, rain and insects.
Both systems are functional outdoor blinds. However, MAGNAZip+ places greater emphasis on maintaining a smooth and balanced appearance for Singapore’s highly visible condominium balconies.
Where Did MAGNAZip+ and Ziptrak® Originate?
A product’s place of origin does not automatically determine its quality. However, it can influence the architecture, weather and customer concerns considered during its development.
MAGNAZip+ Was Developed for Singapore Balconies
Many Singapore condominium balconies form a visible part of the building’s façade. The blinds can be seen from the living room, neighbouring developments and sometimes the ground level. Fabric creases and uneven tension can therefore be especially noticeable.
Singapore homeowners also frequently use their balconies as an extension of the home for dining, exercise, laundry, entertaining or additional everyday space.
After observing these local needs, we developed MAGNAZip to combine weather protection with improved fabric tension. MAGNAZip+ further enhances the system with thicker fabric, stronger durability and up to eight years of extended warranty coverage.
Ziptrak® Was Developed for Australian Outdoor Living
Ziptrak® originated in Australia, where landed homes often feature patios, verandas and backyard entertainment areas. Outdoor blinds are used to create a more protected space that can remain comfortable during changing weather conditions.
Its track-guided design secures the sides of the fabric within vertical channels, reducing open gaps and providing practical protection from the outdoor environment.
This makes Ziptrak® a recognised option for outdoor enclosure. However, the appearance of the fabric across large, front-facing high-rise openings may not have been the main problem it was originally designed to address.
How Do MAGNAZip+ and Ziptrak® Manage Fabric Tension?
Fabric tension affects the appearance, stability and long-term performance of a zip blind.
How Does MAGNAZip+ Reduce Visible Creasing?
When we studied zip blind installations in Singapore, uneven fabric tension was one of the most visible issues we encountered.
It can appear as wrinkles, waves or a curved centre sag, sometimes informally called a “smiley face.” The wider and more visible the blind is, the more obvious this can become.
MAGNAZip+ uses our proprietary magnetic tensioning technology to maintain more consistent tension across the fabric. This helps the blind remain smoother and more balanced when lowered.
No outdoor fabric will remain perfectly flat under every possible condition. Fabric naturally reacts to heat, moisture, wind and repeated movement. MAGNAZip+ is designed to manage these factors more effectively and reduce the visible creasing associated with large zip blinds.
How Does Ziptrak® Secure the Fabric?
Ziptrak® holds the sides of the blind material within vertical tracks. This prevents the fabric from moving freely outside the channels and helps create a more enclosed outdoor area.
However, holding the fabric edges does not automatically guarantee a completely flat surface. The finished appearance can also be affected by:
- Panel width and height
- Fabric type and weight
- Roller and track alignment
- Temperature and humidity
- Wind exposure
- Installation accuracy
- Repeated daily operation
A blind may continue to function even if some creases or waves become visible. Whether this is acceptable depends on the location and the homeowner’s expectations.
Which Zip Blind Is More Suitable for Singapore Weather?
For Singapore homes, particularly high-rise condominiums, MAGNAZip+ is the more suitable choice. It was developed locally around the intense sunlight, heavy rain, humidity, wind and frequent use that our balconies experience.
While Singapore may not face Australia’s seasonal extremes, our high-rise balconies present different challenges, including wide, front-facing openings where fabric creases are more noticeable. MAGNAZip+ addresses both weather protection and fabric tension, making it more relevant to Singapore’s architecture and lifestyle.
Has MAGNAZip+ Been Independently Wind Tested?
MAGNAZip+ underwent third-party testing by SGS at a pressure of 800 Pa and passed.
This provides a measurable reference for how the tested specimen performed under controlled conditions. It does not mean that every completed installation will perform identically in every real-world environment.
Actual performance can vary according to panel dimensions, building height, balcony orientation, surrounding structures, mounting surfaces and installation quality. We therefore assess the conditions of each home before recommending a suitable configuration.
Why Does Local Product Development Matter?
Being locally designed does not automatically make a product superior. It matters when local knowledge leads to a solution that addresses genuine local problems.
We developed MAGNAZip+ around conditions commonly found in Singapore:
- Wide condominium balcony openings
- Highly visible, front-facing installations
- Fabric creasing and uneven tension
- Strong afternoon sunlight and glare
- Wind-driven rain and humidity
- Privacy from neighbouring residences
- Frequent daily operation
- The need for accessible local support
Our development of MAGNAZip+ eventually became part of a larger international story when mc.2 joined the Hunter Douglas group. The technology developed here is also being introduced to markets such as China and India.
For us, its international expansion reinforces the relevance of an idea that started with a problem observed in Singapore homes.
What Are the Pros and Cons of MAGNAZip+ and Ziptrak®?
Advantages of MAGNAZip+
MAGNAZip+ may be more relevant for homeowners looking for:
- A zip blind developed for Singapore balconies
- More consistent fabric tension
- A smoother finish across wide openings
- Protection from sun, rain, wind and insects
- Thicker, more durable fabric
- Local installation and after-sales support
- Up to eight years of extended warranty coverage
Advantages of Ziptrak®
Ziptrak® may appeal to homeowners looking for:
- An established Australian track-guided system
- Practical outdoor enclosure
- Protection from sunlight, wind, rain and insects
- A solution commonly used for patios and outdoor areas
A potential trade-off is that fabric flatness may not receive the same emphasis as it does in a tension-focused system. The final result also depends on the fabricator, installer and complete blind specification.
MAGNAZip+ vs Ziptrak®: Which Should You Choose?
For Singapore high-rise homes, MAGNAZip+ is the more suitable choice. It combines the functional protection of a zip blind with stronger fabric tension, a smoother finish and local after-sales support.
The Bottom Line
Where a zip blind comes from matters because it can shape the problems the system was developed to solve.
Ziptrak® originated in an Australian outdoor-living context, with an established focus on functional enclosure. We developed MAGNAZip+ after observing that Singapore homeowners wanted protection without overlooking how the blind looks across a prominent condominium balcony.
Our goal was not to change what a zip blind does. It was to make it more relevant to the way Singaporeans live. To experience MAGNAZip+ across a full-sized opening, visit our mc.2 showroom. Get a free MAGNAZip+ estimate in just five minutes.
