Still Family, Still First: Windsor Blinds Setting the Standard
- intouch Magazine
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Ask Zdenka Young what it's like running one of Newcastle's most enduring family businesses, and she laughs warmly.
"Of course, we're always the last to get our own work done," she admits, recalling the plantation shutters that finally made it into her own renovated living room.
It's a wonderfully human moment from the co-owner of Windsor Blinds, Awnings and Shutters - a company that has spent the better part of eight decades fitting out homes and businesses across Newcastle, the Hunter, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens and beyond. If they're still last in the queue in their own household, you can be sure everyone else is being looked after first.
That customer-first philosophy is baked into the Windsor DNA. The story begins in 1946, when Bill Young (known as B.J. Young) returned from serving in the RAAF following World War II. With a patriotic nod to the Royal Family, he named his new venture after Windsor Castle and quietly set about building something extraordinary. By 1967, the company had patented the Steel Curved Venetian Blind Slat design and had become the first blind manufacturer in Australia to use Terylene cables and tapes. Both innovations that placed Windsor firmly among the top ten in the industry nationally.
"Craig's father was the first to do venetian blinds in Australia," says Zdenka.
"Our customers, some of whom have been with us for generations, have come to expect the best. We make sure that we deliver that."
Craig Young grew up learning the trade at his father's side, following Bill around the factory as a boy, absorbing both the craft of making exceptional products and the business philosophy that underpinned everything. When Bill passed away in 2013, Craig and Zdenka stepped fully into the leadership of the company they had been steering together since 2011, relocating from the original Carrington premises to Cardiff and steadily expanding the range.
The family thread runs deep. Three of Craig's four brothers have worked in the business at various stages, and the team includes staff with more than 20 years of experience. It's the kind of institutional knowledge that simply can't be replicated by a franchise or a big-box retailer. "It's a family business," says Zdenka. "The business is so entrenched in family."
That depth of expertise matters enormously when customers are navigating the options. And the Windsor range today is genuinely broad. Custom-made plantation shutters remain the perennial favourite, available in a choice of timbers, Polymer or T5-grade Aluminium, all finished with what Zdenka describes as the best paint coating on the market, producing a finish that's as silky as it is durable. Interior designers have long favoured the Veri Shades, a clever hybrid of curtain and blind constructed from soft fabric with alternating opaque folds. Elegant enough to satisfy any stylist, they also allow people to walk through them freely, whether open or closed - no compromises required.
Duo Roller Blinds continue to sell strongly for their practical day-and-night functionality, while Ziptrak Blinds have become the goto for enclosing alfresco areas, keeping the weather and the insects firmly outside. And in a welcome development for homeowners, Ziptrak has recently extended its range to include internal blinds, giving even more flexibility for light control and privacy throughout the home.
Beyond the products, Windsor has also been responding to some of the bigger conversations shaping how Australians think about their homes. As energy costs climb, bushfire risk grows, and the population ages, the team works directly with builders to develop comprehensive window-covering packages for new builds — designed to be energy-efficient, safe, and future-proof from day one.
For existing homes, they're equally adept at creating bespoke solutions, particularly for older Australians or those caring for ageing family members.
"We work with the individual who may need a bespoke solution for their ageing parent," says Zdenka, "with things such as awnings or shutters with smart automation options to make life easier."
It's this combination — the deep heritage, the breadth of product knowledge, the genuine care for individual circumstances — that continues to set Windsor apart. Whether it's a complete new build package, a set of plantation shutters for a heritage home, motorised awnings for an alfresco entertaining space or security screens for added peace of mind, the team brings the same unhurried expertise to every job.
Windsor Blinds, Awnings and Shutters offer a free measure and quote across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley, and the surrounding areas.
Visit the showroom at 8 Torrens Avenue, Cardiff, call (02) 4956 6133, or explore the full range at www.windsorblinds.com.au.
