MagnaTrack vs. Keder Rail vs. Zipper Track: Understanding Exterior Shade Technology

When homeowners in the Treasure Valley start shopping for exterior shades, most focus on fabric color, size, and price. Those are important details, but the single most important factor in how your shade will perform over the next decade is something most people never think to ask about: the track system. The track is the engineering backbone of every motorized exterior shade. It determines how the shade deploys, how it handles wind, how often it needs service, and ultimately how long it lasts. Not all track systems are created equal — and the differences are significant.

There are three primary track technologies used in motorized exterior shades today: magnetic track (MagnaTrack), Keder rail, and zipper track. Each takes a fundamentally different approach to the same problem — keeping shade fabric secured in the side channels while allowing smooth vertical travel. At Boise Blinds, we've installed all three types over the years, and we've seen firsthand how each performs in Idaho's demanding climate. This article explains the engineering behind each system so you can make an informed decision.

The Three Track Technologies Explained

Before comparing performance, it's important to understand how each system actually works. The differences aren't cosmetic — they're fundamental engineering choices that affect every aspect of the shade's operation.

Zipper Track Systems

Zipper track systems use a continuous zipper sewn along both edges of the shade fabric. As the shade deploys, the zipper teeth interlock with a fixed channel on each side, creating a sealed enclosure. This approach borrowed directly from the garment and tent industries. The concept is straightforward: the zipper creates a mechanical lock between the fabric and the track.

The challenge with zipper systems is that they rely on precise alignment between the zipper teeth and the channel. Any deviation — from thermal expansion, wind pressure, debris, or simple wear — can cause the zipper to jam, skip, or derail entirely. When a zipper track shade jams mid-deployment, the shade stops moving. The motor strains against the obstruction, and in many cases, the homeowner needs a service call to manually realign the zipper and get the shade operational again. Over time, UV exposure degrades the zipper material itself, making these issues more frequent as the system ages.

Keder Rail Systems

Keder rail systems use a bead-and-channel approach. A continuous cord or bead (the Keder) is sewn into the edge of the fabric, and this bead slides within an aluminum channel on each side. The bead sits loosely in the channel, relying on gravity and the fabric's own tension to keep it in place. Keder technology has been used in the awning and marine canvas industry for decades — it's a proven, simple mechanism.

The limitation of a standard Keder rail is that there's no active force holding the fabric in the channel. The bead simply rests in the groove. Under wind pressure, the fabric can billow outward, pulling the Keder bead partially or fully out of the channel. This creates gaps along the sides, allows insects and debris in, and in stronger gusts, can cause the fabric to flap freely — defeating the purpose of the enclosure entirely. Most Keder rail systems have no patents protecting their design because the technology is generic and widely available.

MagnaTrack: Patented Magnetic Track Technology

MagnaTrack takes an entirely different approach. Developed by Progressive Screens and protected by multiple U.S. patents (including Patent No. 9,719,272 and No. 11,421,474), MagnaTrack combines a Keder interlock with a patented magnetic retention system using rare earth neodymium magnets. It is the only exterior shade system in the world that uses rare earth magnets, and the only self-correcting shade system ever engineered.

Here's how it works: opposing polarity neodymium magnets are interlocked into both the track housing and an adjustable track insert. These magnets create a constant, powerful pull that holds the fabric securely in the channel — with more than 10 times the holding force of any other system on the market. But unlike a fixed mechanical lock (like a zipper), the magnetic hold is dynamic. When wind pressure pushes against the fabric, the magnets allow controlled separation. The screen expands slightly to absorb the force rather than fighting it. When the pressure subsides, the magnets pull the fabric back into position automatically. The shade self-corrects, every time, without intervention.

Why Patents Matter More Than You Think

MagnaTrack holds multiple U.S. patents on its magnetic track technology. This is worth paying attention to, because most exterior shade track systems on the market today have no patents at all. A patent means the technology was reviewed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and determined to be genuinely novel — not an obvious variation of existing technology. It means the manufacturer invested in original engineering rather than assembling off-the-shelf components.

When a shade system has no patents, it typically means the design uses generic, widely available components — standard Keder channels, commodity zippers, or basic fixed tracks that any manufacturer can source and assemble. There's nothing proprietary about the engineering, which means there's nothing preventing the same service issues that have plagued these designs for years. Patented technology, by contrast, represents a genuine engineering solution to a specific problem. MagnaTrack's patents specifically address the problems of fabric retention, wind resistance, and self-correction that generic systems cannot solve.

Head-to-Head: How the Three Systems Compare

Understanding the real-world differences between these systems comes down to five critical performance areas: wind resistance, service reliability, durability, ease of operation, and build quality. Let's examine each one.

Wind Resistance

This is where the engineering differences become most apparent. Zipper track systems create a sealed enclosure, but the rigid zipper connection means the fabric cannot flex under wind load. Strong gusts create enormous stress on the zipper teeth, and when the force exceeds the zipper's capacity, the system fails — the zipper derails, the fabric flaps free, and the shade is inoperable until serviced. Standard Keder rail systems have the opposite problem: the fabric can flex, but there's nothing actively holding it in the channel, so it simply pulls out under pressure.

MagnaTrack's magnetic system solves both problems simultaneously. The neodymium magnets hold the fabric with tremendous force during normal conditions, but allow controlled separation under extreme wind pressure — absorbing the energy rather than fighting it. When the gust passes, the magnets pull everything back into alignment. This is why MagnaTrack carries a 75 MPH wind rating, and why their Defender hurricane screen line exceeds Miami-Dade building codes — the strictest wind standards on earth. For Idaho homeowners dealing with afternoon canyon winds and summer thunderstorm gusts, this self-correcting behavior is the difference between a shade that works reliably and one that needs constant attention.

Service Reliability

This is the statistic that tells the whole story: MagnaTrack's patented design eliminates 98% of the service issues that are inherent to all fixed track and zipper systems. That's not a marketing claim — it's the documented result of removing the mechanical failure points that cause jams, hang-ups, and derailments in traditional systems.

Zipper systems jam when debris enters the track, when thermal expansion misaligns the teeth, or when the zipper material degrades from UV exposure. Keder systems lose retention when wind pulls the bead from the channel or when the channel accumulates dirt. MagnaTrack's magnetic system has no teeth to misalign, no zipper to degrade, and actively self-corrects any displacement. The magnets don't wear out — neodymium rare earth magnets maintain their magnetic properties for decades under normal use conditions.

Build Quality and Materials

MagnaTrack systems are built heavier and more substantially than competing products across every component. The extruded aluminum housing, tracks, and weight bar are the thickest in the industry. The bottom weight bar is rated the heaviest available, with retention locks that keep it firmly in place. Stainless steel fasteners prevent rust, glass-filled nylon end caps eliminate corrosion, and powder-coated aluminum resists chipping, peeling, and bubbling. A double felt system inside the hood cover brushes off dirt and debris while preventing insects from entering the housing.

This heavier construction isn't just about durability — it directly affects operation. A heavier weight bar means smoother, more consistent deployment without the fluttering and uneven rolling that lighter systems experience. The adjustable roller system reduces wrinkled edges for a clean aesthetic appearance. Every component is engineered to work together as a system, not assembled from generic parts sourced from multiple suppliers.

Smart Home Integration

All three track types can be paired with motorized operation, but MagnaTrack's integration goes beyond basic remote control. The system supports dedicated multi-channel remotes, programmable LCD timer remotes, smartphone app control, and voice integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. You can set schedules, create scenes that coordinate multiple shades, and control your entire system from anywhere. For Boise homeowners who've invested in smart home ecosystems, MagnaTrack integrates seamlessly rather than requiring a separate control silo.

What This Means for Idaho Homeowners

Idaho's climate puts exterior shades through a demanding test. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, winter lows drop into the single digits, afternoon canyon winds gust to 30+ mph, and the dry air accelerates UV degradation on exposed materials. A shade system that works fine in a mild coastal climate may struggle in the Treasure Valley.

The self-correcting magnetic track is particularly valuable here because Idaho's wind patterns are unpredictable. A calm morning can turn into a gusty afternoon without warning, and if your shades are deployed when the wind picks up, you need a system that handles it automatically — not one that jams and requires you to call for service. MagnaTrack's ability to absorb wind pressure and self-correct means you can leave your shades deployed with confidence, knowing they'll perform regardless of what Idaho weather throws at them.

The heavier build quality also matters in Idaho's freeze-thaw cycles. Lighter systems with thinner aluminum components can warp and flex as temperatures swing between extremes. MagnaTrack's thicker extruded aluminum and powder-coated finish are engineered to maintain dimensional stability through these cycles, ensuring smooth operation year after year.

Making the Right Choice

When evaluating exterior shade systems, we encourage homeowners to look beyond the fabric swatch and ask about the track technology. Ask whether the system is patented. Ask about the wind rating. Ask how the shade handles debris in the track or sudden wind gusts. Ask about the weight of the components and the materials used in construction. These questions reveal the engineering quality behind the product — and engineering quality is what determines whether your shade is still working flawlessly in year ten or whether it's been a source of ongoing frustration.

At Boise Blinds, we chose to partner with MagnaTrack because we've seen the difference firsthand. After years of installing various exterior shade systems across the Treasure Valley, the performance gap between MagnaTrack's patented magnetic technology and generic track systems is undeniable. Our customers deserve a product that works reliably in Idaho's climate without constant maintenance — and MagnaTrack delivers exactly that.

Frequently Asked Questions