Which wind limit does the number describe?
A ZIP screen holds the fabric edges in side guides as it moves. The tracks help restrain the fabric, but the mesh, guides, fasteners and supporting frame still see wind loads. Ask for the supplier's written answer to three different questions:
- Screen down: What was tested? Ask for the opening size, fabric, tracks and fixings used, and whether the number describes gusts or another test condition.
- Screen moving: At what conditions may you lower or raise it? A deployed test rating is not permission to run the motor at that speed.
- Screen retracted: What position does the manual require before bad weather or when the patio is unattended? Ask separately about any operating limits for the pergola roof.
Why the same screen can have different limits
Width and drop affect the area exposed to wind. Fabric, track design and fixings can change the result too. Two adjacent openings on a sheltered patio and an exposed corner may see very different gusts. If you want one wide screen, compare it with two smaller bays, including the support required for the intermediate track. Confirm that the pergola itself is specified for the proposed side enclosures; a screen test covers only the tested assembly.
Can a wind sensor handle retraction?
Ask whether the specific motor and controller support a wind sensor and whether the supplier documents its placement and settings. A sensor samples wind at one location; an exposed corner can gust before the sensor reacts. Follow the manual for stowing the screen before forecast severe weather and agree on a plan for a power outage. If the fabric binds or comes out of a guide, follow the service instructions rather than forcing it.
What to put in a screen quote request
Send the clear width and drop of each opening, the proposed fabric, photos of the mounting faces and the sides that get the strongest wind. Ask the supplier to identify the tested setup, allowable operating conditions and retract instructions on the quote or technical sheet.
Further reading
Homeowners ask about retraction thresholds in this Reddit patio screen wind discussion. For an example of a manufacturer publishing system documentation, see Zipscreen's support page and wind tunnel results. Those results describe its own products and test setups.
Check your screen configuration
Send VORALEVA your opening sizes and installation location to discuss the screen layout, compatible fabric and written limits for the proposed configuration.