We compare the HDPE and PP movable board brackets used in decking and explain why the material and design of the mechanism make a difference after several years of use.

HDPE and PP moving board holders can differ in stiffness, temperature resistance, operation under load and durability after several years of outdoor use. In practice, the design of the mechanism, UV resistance and the workmanship of the entire system are also of great importance.

We previously covered the topic in the article „PP or HDPE polypropylene? A quick guide for patio blind contractors”. It came back to us again a few days ago after a message from a customer whose louvre body had started to fail after just about two years of building use.

As he wrote:

„The elements are breaking one by one, unfortunately.”

The mechanism used in this realisation was made using a different system to the OpenUp System moving board brackets. This is a good example showing that, when choosing a terrace development, it is worth paying attention not only to the appearance of the lamellas, but also to the material, construction and quality of the handles themselves.

Is PP more durable than HDPE in moving board holders?

In many applications involving movable patio blinds, polypropylene with reinforcing additives can provide greater rigidity and operational stability than standard HDPE brackets. However, the design of the mechanism, the quality of manufacture and the resistance of the system to UV and temperature changes are also important.

„The elements are breaking one by one”.”

In the message, the customer wrote:

„I used 25 because these elements break one by one, unfortunately.”

He had already received an additional 30 pieces of the movable sockets alone - 15 for each side of the development - during implementation. Today, only the last few pieces remain.

Importantly - they were not OpenUp System moving board holders. The client came to us because the contractor had given him the contact for Otwrane.co.uk, asking him to buy the spare parts himself.

Unfortunately, in this case we could not help. The mechanism used in this implementation came from another system and is not compatible with OpenUp System solutions.

Why does the material of the handles matter?

Yes - and in the case of systems operating daily outdoors, can have a very significant impact on the durability of the entire mechanism.

Movable patio blinds work practically every day:

• during hot weather,
• in winter,
• in the event of large temperature fluctuations,
• under the influence of UV radiation,
• in gusts of wind,
• when opening and closing the slats.

This is a huge strain on any mechanism for moving boards.

The type of plastic itself is only the beginning - what you need to know about louvre brackets for your terrace

In the case of handles for moving boards, both the design of the mechanism and the properties of the material used are important.

In systems that work outdoors, among other things, it is important:

• element stiffness,
• fatigue resistance,
• UV resistance,
• behaviour at high temperatures,
• susceptibility to deformation,
• stability after several seasons of use.

Polypropylene is a stiffer and more durable material than HDPE. It withstands prolonged use and high temperatures better and is therefore often used where the component is mechanically working for many years. At the same time, the name of the material alone does not yet allow the quality of the entire system to be assessed - the geometry of the handle, the wall thickness, reinforcing additives and the quality of production are also of great importance.

What OpenUp System handles are made of

Movable board holders OpenUp System are manufactured from polypropylene doped with glass fibre. The addition of fibre increases the rigidity and stability of the mechanism during daily operation.

Mechanism:

• undergoes tests in an ageing chamber,
• is constantly being developed,
• works with both wooden planks and aluminium fins,
• is being used by a growing number of terrace and balcony builders.

In practice, this means daily verification of the system during real-life use.

Why the quality of the mechanism is of paramount importance

In the case of terrace development, most clients focus mainly on:

• the colour of the fins,
• the appearance of the development,
• implementation price,
• type of wood or aluminium.

Meanwhile, it is the movable board holders that are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the entire system.

If the mechanism starts to break:

• the development loses functionality,
• looseness appears,
• the laths stop working properly,
• the whole requires constant repair or replacement of components.

And that is why it is worth asking not only about the design of the system, but also about the mechanism itself before ordering a built-in. Will the development be made on HDPE or PP moving board holders such as the OpenUp System. It is a good idea if the contractor demonstrates the fixtures and their operation before carrying out the installation. 

What to ask before ordering mobile patio blinds

Before choosing a contractor, it is worth finding out:

What material are the handles made of?

This is a fundamental part of the whole mechanism.

Has the system been UV and ageing tested?

The development works all year round outdoors.

Can individual parts be purchased?

After a few years, this can make a huge difference.

Is the system being developed by the manufacturer?

This often shows whether the manufacturer is realistically working on the sustainability of the solution.

Is the contractor working on a proven system?

It is advisable to ask for realisations that have several years of use and not just fresh installations.

What is most likely to affect the longevity of movable board handles?

The durability of the movable board holders is affected not only by the material itself, but also by the way the entire system works. In practice, of great importance are:

• size of individual modules,
• lamella weight,
• exposure to wind,
• quality of assembly,
• UV resistance,
• frequency of use,
• and the geometry of the handle itself.

Problems most often arise after several seasons of use, when the mechanism has been operating for a long time in varying temperatures and under constant load. This is when the differences between the various moving board systems start to become apparent.

The rigidity of the mechanism and the resistance of the material to deformation are also of great importance for large terrace buildings. Even small clearances in the handle can affect the operation of the entire louvre development over time.

Not every development looks the same after 2-3 years

We understand the frustration of customers who begin to face cracking components of moving patio blinds a short time after installation.

This is why we pay so much attention to the quality of the mechanism for the movable boards from the outset. Because it is this element that determines how the enclosure will perform after successive seasons of use.

If you are planning a terrace or balcony development and would like to find out more about OpenUp System moving board brackets - please contact us. We will be happy to answer your questions and show you the differences between the various solutions.

Remember: in the case of movable patio blinds, replacing a single bracket after a few years can be much more difficult than choosing a better system at the start of the project