Enhance Appeal To Your Porch With Outdoor Window Shades

Outdoor window shades are a great window treatment if you love sitting on

your porch or patio in the evenings but hate having the sun in your eyes. Outdoor blinds come in a variety of different styles..

Types of Outdoor Window Shades

Awnings are one option, and they can be attached to the side of your home

and rolled out over your patio for when you need them. Being able to roll them back up makes this product last longer because it is more protected from weather damage in that state. Awnings come in numerous sizes and colors, and they generally have to be installed by the manufacturer. Awnings range in price from approximately $100 for a small over-the-door awning to over $2500 for larger patio awnings.

Some awnings are free standing structures that can be moved from place to place around your patio, garden or yard.

Roller shades are one type of exterior window shade generally used to block sunlight from entering porches. They are generally made of woven fabrics or bamboo can also be used on porches to reduce the heat and the sunlight, making it a more pleasurable place to sit. You should be careful when using wooden shades, such as bamboo blinds, outside because these can mildew if they get wet.

Make sure that your blinds are rated to be outdoors. If they are then they will generally last for years with little to no maintenance. For example, most solar screens are generally made to hang in sun rooms or other interior rooms. In addition to controlling temperature and cooling the porch, outdoor window shades let you create an intimate space. Shades such as these are also easier to install than awnings, and often come with the supplies you need to put them up on your porch.

Who Makes Outdoor Shades?

Coolaroo is one such manufacturer, and the Coolaroo exterior window shades are an attractive and reasonably priced outdoor shade. They come in different sizes and fashionable colors. The smallest one (four feet) can be purchased online for approximately $50. The sizes they offer are four, six and eight feet long. They all come with a durable aluminum head rail that can be raised, lowered, or locked into position with cords. Coolaroo includes the hardware needed to install this shade. They have a number of different designer window shades for indoor and outdoor use.

SunSetter is another manufacturer of outdoor window shades and carries a product called EasyShade which filters sunlight, wind and mist. They claim that their product resists mildew and installs easily.

Accessories include bungees and hooks to make sure that the shade remains securely fastened to your porch or deck railing. They offer four different widths of four, six, eight, and ten feet and the maximum length is six and a half feet. The smallest size is available for approximately $175 and are a more expensive option though there is no noticeable difference between this product and what Coolaroo offers.

You love your porch or patio, but you do not like being unprotected from the elements. With these shades you can enjoy your porch or patio without having to worry so much about the weather. Outdoor window shades are a highly recommendable product because they make your porch or patio look great while creating a more enjoyable space for you and your family.