Is your beautiful patio gathering more dust than guests? When the afternoon sun turns your outdoor space into a furnace, it’s easy to retreat inside. Here at Blindsgalore, our family has spent over 25 years helping people solve this exact problem. The answer is simpler than you think: the right Patio Roller Shades.
These aren’t your average indoor shades. They are engineered to live outside, transforming your deck or patio from tired to inspired. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from picking the perfect material to a stress-free installation.
What Are Outdoor Patio Roller Shades, Anyway?
Think of outdoor patio roller shades as the rugged, more capable cousin of your indoor roller shades. While your living room shades are designed for style and privacy, outdoor roller shades for patio spaces are built to battle the elements.
The difference is in the DNA. We use specialized, weather-resistant fabrics that shrug off sun and rain. The hardware is tough, often using stainless steel components that resist rust and corrosion. Everything from the stitching to the operating mechanism is designed for durability.
One of our customers in Texas told us their Patio Roller Shades made their west-facing deck usable for the first time in July. That’s the kind of transformation we love to hear about. They don’t just cover your space; they reclaim it.
Choosing the Right Materials for Your Patio
The fabric you choose for your Patio Roller Shades does more than just add color. It determines your level of privacy, sun protection, and overall vibe. We offer everything from subtle woven fabrics to striking colors and prints.
Here’s a quick breakdown of our most popular outdoor materials:
| Material Type | Best For | Key Benefit |
| Solar Screen | Reducing heat & glare | Maintains your view while blocking up to 95% of UV rays. |
| HDPE (High Density Poly Ethylene) Fabric | Durability & privacy | A tightly woven, tough material that offers excellent shade. |
| Weather-Resistant Polyester | All-around performance | A versatile and budget-friendly option that handles moisture well. |
A key feature of solar screens is the “openness factor.” This number (typically 1% to 14%) tells you how tight the weave is.
- 1-5% Openness: Offers the most privacy and sun blockage. Great for intense sun or overlooked patios.
- 10-14% Openness: Preserves more of your view and lets in more light while still cutting the worst of the glare.
Control Options: Simple or Smart?
How you operate your Patio Roller Shades is just as important as how they look. We offer two main paths: classic manual control or modern motorization.
Manual Roller Shades
Simple, reliable, and budget-friendly. Our manual shades operate with a smooth crank system or a continuous cord loop. There’s a certain satisfaction in cranking your shade into the perfect position as you settle into your favorite patio chair.
Motorized Patio Roller Shades
This is where your outdoor space gets a serious upgrade. With motorization, you can raise and lower multiple shades with the touch of a button.
- Convenience: No more wrestling with cords or reaching over furniture.
- Safety: Motorized shades are cordless, making them one of the safest choices for homes with children and pets. They are a fantastic solution if you’re looking for something like cat-proof blinds for your outdoor area.
- Smart Home Ready: Many of our motorized options can connect to your smart home hub. Imagine saying, “Hey Google, lower the patio shades.” It’s a little bit of everyday luxury.
Our motorized shades are powered by discreet, rechargeable batteries that last for months. Recharging is as simple as plugging in your phone.
Getting the Perfect Fit: How to Measure
Getting the measurements right is the most important step, but don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. Whether you’re a DIY expert or not, you’ve got this.
Before You Start: A Crucial “Don’t”
One care tip we need to share upfront: never submerge your shades in water. This is our golden rule for all window treatments, inside or out. A deep soak can damage the fabric, adhesives, and internal mechanisms. We’ll cover proper cleaning later, but please, keep your shades out of the tub!
Measuring for an Outside Mount
For most patios, you’ll be mounting your shades on the outside of the opening.
- Measure the Width: Measure the full width of the area you want to cover. We recommend adding at least 2-3 inches to each side to minimize light gaps and maximize privacy.
- Measure the Height: Measure from where you’ll mount the top of the shade down to where you want the fabric to end (usually the patio floor or a railing).
- Check for Obstacles: Look for any light fixtures, downspouts, or speakers that might get in the way.
That’s it! Provide us with those final dimensions. Don’t worry about making any deductions yourself. We handle all the calculations to ensure a perfect fit. For a complete walkthrough, check out our online measuring guides. If you’re covering an especially large opening, the principles in our guide for blinds for wide windows can be helpful, too.
Installation: A Simple DIY Project
We believe you shouldn’t need to hire a professional to get beautiful, custom window treatments. 99% of our customers install their own shades, and you can too.
Whether you’re a DIY expert or not, installation will be a breeze. All you’ll need are a few basic tools (a drill, screwdriver, and tape measure) and about an hour. Instructions are included and available on our site. If you need to get rid of old treatments first, our guide on how to take down blinds is a great place to start.
Covering Your Patio Doors
What about the doors leading out to your patio? Finding the right patio door roller shades can be tricky, but a roller shade is often a perfect solution. Unlike traditional horizontal blinds, a single roller shade can cover the entire door, rolling up neatly out of the way when you want an unobstructed view or easy access.
This is a much cleaner and more modern look than many alternatives. While some people consider vertical blinds, many of our customers prefer the seamless look of a single fabric panel. If you’re weighing your options, our breakdown of shades vs. blinds can help you decide. For sliding doors specifically, our guide on how to install blinds on a sliding glass door offers more great tips.
Maintenance for Long-Lasting Shades
Your outdoor patio roller shades are built to be low-maintenance. To keep them looking their best:
- Regular Dusting: Use a soft brush or the brush attachment on your vacuum to remove loose dust and debris once a month.
- Spot Cleaning: For small stains, use a cloth with mild soap and water.
- Deeper Cleaning: A gentle spray with a garden hose (not a pressure washer!) is usually enough to wash away dirt. Let the shade air dry completely before rolling it up.
- Windy Days: For extra windy locations, we highly recommend adding our bungee tie-down system during customization. This accessory secures the bottom of the shade to prevent it from flapping around.
With proper care, you can expect your shades to last for 7-10 years or more. We back our Blindsgalore products with a free 3-year warranty (which you can upgrade to 5 years), giving you confidence in your investment. Please note that this warranty does not cover fabric fading, which is a natural process over time with outdoor exposure.
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
Choosing the perfect Patio Roller Shades can take your outdoor space from functional to fabulous. It’s about creating a comfortable, stylish extension of your home where you can relax and entertain.
While all of our products are custom-made, meaning the investment can vary based on size and features, we pride ourselves on offering solutions for every budget. The key is to focus on the value that great shades bring: more usable space, lower energy bills, and a home you love even more.
Ready to get started? Explore our full collection of Outdoor Shades. We encourage you to order up to 15 free samples to see and feel the fabrics in your own space. Most custom orders are handcrafted and on their way to you in just 5-7 business days, with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Surprisingly, darker colors are often more effective at blocking heat and reducing glare because they absorb more light. However, lighter colors reflect more heat and can keep the space behind the shade feeling a bit cooler. It’s a trade-off between glare control and heat reflection.
Yes. While you should retract any outdoor shade in severe weather, our shades are built tough. For consistently windy locations, we strongly recommend adding our bungee tie-down system, which secures the bottom rail and dramatically improves stability.
For stubborn spots, use a soft brush with a solution of mild soap and lukewarm water. Gently scrub the area, then rinse thoroughly with a light spray from a hose. Remember our golden rule: never submerge the shade in water.
Absolutely. Every shade we ship comes with all the necessary mounting hardware for a standard installation. You won’t need to make a trip to the hardware store.
A standard roll means the fabric rolls off the back of the tube, keeping the shade closer to the window. A reverse roll has the fabric come off the front, which hides the roller tube and is often used to clear obstructions like door handles. You can learn more in our detailed guide on the difference between a standard and reverse roll.