Ziptrak, Blinds or Curtains? Choosing Window Furnishings for Singapore Homes

Quick answer: Curtains suit bedrooms and living rooms, especially blackout curtains for better sleep. Blinds suit kitchens, bathrooms and studies because they are easy to clean and handle humidity well. Ziptrak outdoor blinds suit balconies and patios, keeping out sun and rain. On HDB open balconies, choose a porous mesh blind that can be fully retracted.

Singapore gets rain on about 171 days a year, with the wettest months from November to January, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore. Add strong afternoon sun and high humidity, and window furnishings here have a tougher job than in most places.

Which one for which room?

Room	Good choice	Why
Bedroom	Blackout curtains, with sheers for daytime	Dark rooms for sleep, soft light by day
Living room	Day and night curtains, or roller blinds	Privacy without losing daylight
Kitchen and bathroom	Roller or venetian blinds	Easy to wipe, and handle humidity well
Study	Roller or venetian blinds	Control glare on screens
Balcony or patio	Ziptrak outdoor blinds	Block sun and rain, and use the space more often

What is Ziptrak?

Ziptrak is a track-guided outdoor blind. The edges run inside side tracks, so the blind stays put in the wind and can stop at any height. Fabrics range from mesh sunscreens that cut glare while letting air through, to clear PVC that keeps out rain while keeping the view.

HDB open balconies

For HDB flats with open balconies, such as DBSS flats and flats handed over from 1 July 2007, HDB allows blinds without a permit, as long as:

• The balcony still gets natural ventilation, even with the blinds fully drawn.
• The blinds can be fully drawn open or retracted.
• The material is porous, letting light and air through. Clear PVC or other materials that fully block sun, light, rain and wind are not used here.
• The whole system stays within your unit and the existing railing is left as it is.

In practice, a Ziptrak mesh blind is a popular choice for these balconies. For condos and landed homes, check with your management or the relevant rules for your property, and we can advise on fabric options.

Inside the home

Curtain rails, venetian blinds and bamboo blinds inside your HDB flat do not need an HDB permit. Window film is also fine without a permit, as long as it is non-reflective or has no more than 20% reflectance.

Tips for Singapore homes

• For kitchens and bathrooms, choose fabrics and blinds that resist moisture and wipe clean easily.
• Blackout linings make a big difference for bedrooms facing the afternoon sun.
• Measure after your ceiling and window works are done, so the fit is exact.

Our team can measure your windows and balcony for you. See our Ziptrak, curtains and blinds page, or book an appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I install Ziptrak on my HDB balcony?

Yes, for open balconies HDB allows blinds without a permit, as long as they are porous, can be fully retracted and still let the balcony ventilate. A Ziptrak mesh blind suits this well.

Are curtains or blinds better for a bedroom?

Blackout curtains are the favourite for bedrooms, since they block light well and soften the room. Blackout roller blinds work too if you prefer a cleaner look.

What window furnishing is best for a bathroom?

Blinds that handle moisture and wipe clean easily, such as roller or venetian blinds.

Where this information comes from

We checked the facts in this guide against these Singapore sources in September 2026. Rules change from time to time, so check the latest version before you start work.

• HDB: Renovation guidelines for window works
• Meteorological Service Singapore: Climate of Singapore

Get help choosing

Not sure what fits? Bring a photo and your measurements to any Lucky Khoon showroom and our team will help you pick the right model. We are an authorised dealer for the brands we carry, and our in-house installation team can supply and install for you.

• Enterprise One: 1 Kaki Bukit Road 1 #01-01 to #01-05, Singapore 415934. Bathroom and kitchen: +65 6346 2172
• Tradehub 21: 24 Boon Lay Way #01-72/73, Singapore 609969. Bathroom and kitchen: +65 6795 1862
• TOTO Boutique, Oxley Bizhub: 61 Ubi Road 1 #01-10, Singapore 408727. Tel: +65 6320 3778

Opening hours are on our contact page.