Top 10 Benefits of Installing Exterior Window Shades for Your Home

TL;DR

• Exterior window shades can reduce summer cooling costs by up to 15% by blocking heat at the source.
• They protect your valuable furniture, floors, and artwork from fading by blocking up to 95% of harmful UV rays.
• Motorized Roller Shades offer a safe, convenient, and modern way to control your home’s light and temperature.
• Every shade is custom-built to your exact specifications for a perfect fit, and most can be installed in under an hour with basic tools.
• They significantly reduce glare on screens and enhance daytime privacy without sacrificing natural light.
• Durable, weather-resistant materials ensure your investment lasts for years, backed by a free 3-year warranty.

Is there a room in your house that feels like an oven every afternoon? Are you tired of seeing your energy bills climb higher every summer? Here at Blindsgalore, our family has been helping homeowners solve these exact problems for over 25 years. The answer is often found on the outside of your home.

Exterior window shades are one of the most effective upgrades you can make. They stop problems like heat and glare at the source, transforming your home from blah to ta-da. Let’s dive into the top ten reasons why these shades are a game-changer.

1. Slash Your Energy Bills

This is the big one. Exterior window shades are your home’s first line of defense against the sun. By blocking solar heat before it can even touch your window glass, they can dramatically reduce the workload on your air conditioner. We’re talking about potential cooling cost reductions of up to 15%. Think of it as putting a hat on your house. It’s a simple, powerful way to keep things cool and put money back in your pocket. Our Solar Roller Shades are particularly brilliant at this, creating a thermal barrier that makes a real difference.

2. Protect Your Furniture and Floors

That beautiful afternoon sun streaming through your windows also carries damaging UV rays. Over time, this can cause your hardwood floors, expensive furniture, and treasured artwork to fade and discolor. Exterior window shades act as a powerful shield, blocking up to 95% of those harmful rays  You can still enjoy natural light without worrying about your belongings losing their vibrancy. It’s peace of mind you can see.

3. Reclaim Your Outdoor Living Space

A sun-scorched patio or deck is an invitation no one wants to accept. With Outdoor Roller Shades, you can instantly create a cool, comfortable, and inviting outdoor oasis. These shades cut the heat and glare, making your patio the perfect spot for morning coffee, family dinners, or just relaxing with a good book. It’s like adding a whole new room to your home. For sun-drenched spaces, the same principles we use for choosing sunroom blinds apply here, creating a perfect transition from indoors to out.

4. Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Let’s be honest, looks matter. Exterior window shades offer a sleek, modern, and uniform look that instantly elevates your home’s appearance. Forget clunky, mismatched window treatments. With our custom shades, you can create a cohesive and polished look across your entire home. We offer a huge range of materials and colors, from calming fabric finishes to dramatic, eye-catching styles, so you can find the perfect match for your home’s style.

5. Cut Annoying Glare

Trying to watch TV or work on your laptop with a massive glare across the screen is beyond frustrating. Exterior window shades are masters at diffusing harsh sunlight, softening it into a pleasant, usable glow. You can get on with your day without squinting or closing the blinds completely and plunging the room into darkness. It’s all about controlling the light, not eliminating it.

6. Enhance Your Privacy

You should feel completely comfortable in your own home. Our exterior window shades provide excellent daytime privacy. Thanks to the magic of their specialized fabrics, you can often see out, but your neighbors can’t easily see in. This allows you to keep your home feeling open and bright while maintaining your personal sanctuary. It’s a much more robust solution than trying to find typical indoor cat-proof blinds that can withstand pets and provide privacy.

7. Enjoy Effortless Control with Motorization

This is where your home gets a serious upgrade. With Motorized Roller Shades, you can raise or lower your shades with the simple touch of a button. Our motorized outdoor shades come with quiet, rechargeable batteries that last for months, so there’s no need for complicated wiring. 

You can even integrate them with your smart home system, like Amazon Alexa or Google Home  Imagine saying, “Hey Google, lower the patio shades,” as the afternoon sun hits. It’s not just convenient, it’s a little bit of everyday magic. Plus, since they are a Cordless Roller Shades option, they are one of the safest choices for homes with children and pets 

8. Get a Perfect, Custom Fit

Unlike off-the-shelf solutions that you might have to shorten yourself, every shade we make at Blindsgalore is 100% custom-built to your exact measurements  This ensures a perfect, professional-looking fit every time, whether you have standard windows or extra-large openings. If you’re dealing with especially wide windows, custom exterior window shades are an ideal solution. Our team of in-house experts is always here to help you get your measurements just right.

9. Experience Unmatched Durability

Exterior window shades are built to withstand the elements. We use weather-resistant fabrics, marine-grade stitching, and stainless steel components that resist rust and corrosion. They are designed to handle sun, wind, and rain year after year. For windy areas, we even offer bungee tie-downs to keep your shades secure  This is a truly durable solution, backed by our free 3-year warranty, which you can upgrade to 5 years for even more peace of mind.

10. Simple, Stress-Free Installation

We believe you shouldn’t need to hire a professional to get beautiful, custom window treatments. Whether you’re a DIY expert or not, installation will be a breeze. All you’ll need are a few basic tools and about an hour. Instructions are included and available on our site. 

If you’re swapping out old treatments, our guide on how to take down blinds can help you get started.

A Crucial Care Tip: The “No Dunking” Rule To keep your shades looking great for years, a little care goes a long way. A gentle spray with a garden hose and mild soap is usually all you need. 

But here’s our most important piece of advice: we would never advise customers to submerge their shades in water. This applies to all our shades, from light filtering to blackout. A deep soak can damage the fabric and internal components. Stick to spot cleaning, and your shades will thank you.

Choosing the Right Exterior Shades for You

Choosing the right exterior window shades comes down to your specific needs. Think about how much light and privacy you want, which will guide your fabric and color choices. Decide if you prefer the simplicity of Manual Roller Shades or the high-tech convenience of our motorized options. It’s a different consideration than choosing between shades vs. blinds for your interior.

Whatever you choose, you can be confident you’re getting a handcrafted, high-quality product. We’ve been doing this for over two decades, and our family is here to help yours.

Ready to transform your home from functional to fabulous? Explore our full collection of Outdoor Shades, and don’t forget to order up to 15 free samples to see the colors and textures in your own space. Most custom orders are crafted and shipped in as little as 5-7 business days, with free shipping across the continental U.S.