Beat the Heat With Patio Sunshades This Summer
BWS Design • August 6, 2018

Your patio is the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and spend time with family and friends outdoors. But what happens when it’s raining or if the sun is shining directly on your outdoor furniture? Inclement weather conditions can make hanging out on your patio less-than-enjoyable, so how do you combat this? Patio sunshades: an effective, versatile, and cost-effective way to block out harsh weather so you can enjoy your outdoor space, no matter what season!

What are patio sunshades?

Made of weather-resistant material that can withstand moisture and harsh sunlight, most patio sunshades attach directly to the outside of your patio to provide you with a calm and cool oasis. Sunshades can be used for numerous weather conditions, such as rain, wind, or hot, uncomfortable temperatures. Sunshades are made of vinyl material that is resistant to mold and mildew, making it safe to use during spring showers or summer thunderstorms. Weighted tie-downs make it possible to block out wind while still keeping the shades intact, and light-filtering material help to cool your patio by keeping heat from the sun at bay all while allowing light to come in and brighten up your entertainment space.

How do they work?

Patio sunshades typically mount to the exterior structure surrounding your patio. Strong aluminum casing, much like curtain rods inside your home, attach easily and securely, allowing you peace of mind that your investment is safe. Patio sunshades come in many different styles: spring-loaded, roll up, motorized, or have traditional cords like blinds. UV-protectant and element-resistant material ensure your happiness and safety in all kinds of weather conditions.

Are patio sunshades the right choice for me?

Versatile, stylish, and available in a multitude of colors, sizes, and designs, sunshades can complement any home style. Sunshades range in sizes to fit all patios but purchasing multiple may be something to consider to protect all areas of your patio and to give a clean, cohesive look to your home. Materials such as mesh, vinyl, acrylic, and polyester are available depending on your needs and style-preference. Sunshades also come in many colors and patterns you can choose from, making it a useful  and  stylish accessory for your home.

Care and Maintenance

This will vary depending on the style, type, and brand of sunshade you get, but patio sunshades are generally easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to maintain. High quality sunshades can be kept outside all year long, aside from severe weather conditions such as hurricanes. Storing the sunshades in their “up” position when not in use will preserve their integrity, color, quality, and lifespan. Clean the fabric with mild soap and water to remove debris and stains throughout the season to ensure shades stay in good condition and doesn’t accumulate mold and mildew on areas that are dirty. Checking the housing of the sunshades to ensure they are properly attached and functioning well will extend the longevity of the products.

Patio sunshades are not only a great design aspect to add to your home, but a product that will provide you with use of your outdoor living space you may not otherwise be utilizing as frequently as you’d like. Whether your patio is too hot, too bright, or too exposed to elements during the off-seasons, rest assured that the purchase and installation of sunshades will improve your patio and allow you to kick back and relax anytime the mood strikes.

 

At Just Blinds Inc, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional products, services, and customer support to our consumers. Serving the Central Alabama area for more than 30 years, we strive to be your first call for all your window treatment needs.  Contact us  for more information regarding our products and services and let us schedule your free consultation today. We look forward to hearing from you and having you as a customer for life.

Expert Advice by Just Blinds

What Your Window Treatment Says About You: A Personality-Based Guide

April 23, 2025
Your selection of window treatment products and services is not merely about getting a job done. Rather, if you look hard enough, you can find direct correlations between the type of person that you are and the window treatment that you select. We have created this personality-based guide to help you best discover what kind of window treatment truly matches your spirit. The Dependable Type: Wooden Blinds You are the person that all of your friends can count on. You are the type of person who truly sticks to your plans when you make them, and you are the type of person who will choose wooden blinds for your home. Privacy is important to you when selecting your blinds, and that is why you find yourself pulled into the idea of putting up wooden blinds. Besides that, they happen to be highly functional, and that's not something that you are willing to pass up either. The Planner: Blackout Curtains Those who value truly getting the most value out of their blinds or anything else that they install in their homes will think very carefully about their options. For those people, going with blackout curtains makes a lot of sense. They want to gain as much value as possible out of their options, and they know that they can significantly improve their quality of sleep and so much more when they opt for blackout curtains. These also happen to be a great option for those who work night shifts or other odd hours and yet still want to enjoy their sleep. They need blackout curtains to help increase the quality of that sleep and allow themselves to get their day started right. The Tech Enthusiast: Smart Shades They roam among us: The type of people who are quick to adopt any new technology and get to work figuring out how it can improve their lives. These people are great because they are not afraid to take a risk and because they help to move our society forward. They simply want to get more out of each day, and they often do so by adopting and using the latest technologies. These individuals will gravitate towards smart shades for the following attributes: Innovation - Who wants to stick with the boring old ways of shading one's house? Smarter options are now available, and you better believe that the tech enthusiasts among us are willing to latch on to them. Efficiency - These shades are a more efficient option for those who care about that kind of thing. They can be easily activated and set up to open or close automatically (how cool is that?!). Progressive - The "cool" factor is a big deal for people who fall into this category as well. They might not admit to it right off the bat, but they care deeply about what others think about them. As such, they want window shades that have that cool factor attached to them. The Dreamer: Sheer Curtains Finally, we land upon the dreamer. This is the person who views every day for the possibilities that it can bring. They are not scared off by those with a negative attitude. If anything, they believe that they can change those people! Instead, the dreamer wants sheer curtains because they bring in soft light, open spaces, and bring about a feeling of possibility all throughout the house. Sheer curtains are the ideal option for someone who classifies themselves in this way. They will receive plenty of compliments on their curtains, and they will appreciate how open they are to the world.  Which kind of person are you and which window treatment option makes the most sense for your personality? For more inspiration and ideas, reach out and contact us today.

5 Unexpected Places Homeowners Are Installing Outdoor Shades

March 13, 2025
We all know and understand the concept of installing outdoor shades on a patio. It is the classic way to create a cool and comfortable space for yourself and your friends to spend some quality time together outdoors. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is limiting to think that the patio is the only part of one's property where outdoor shades are appropriate. There are some surprising and unexpected places where homeowners have taken to installing outdoor shades recently. We want to take a look at some of these to provide you with ideas for your next home improvement project. 1) Balconies Some homes are built quite close together, and some homeowners naturally feel like they would like to do more to protect their privacy. Although their neighbors might not intentionally be looking through their balconies, it is easy for the human eye to drift. Thus, some city-dwelling homeowners have made the choice to install outdoor shades in this area. On top of keeping prying eyes off of your property, outdoor shades also block the sun rays from your balcony as well creating a more comfortable space to spend some time. 2) Outdoor Kitchens One of the most delightful social experiences that someone can have is to invite over a large group of friends for a meal cooked outside. It gives everyone the opportunity to share stories, laughes, and a bit of food all at the same time. Of course, this is best done in an outdoor kitchen. Your outdoor kitchen is a space where you should feel comfortable and have the ability to entertain a large group of people all at the same time. This means looking at installing outdoor shades to provide an extra layer of protection from the heat of the sun. Thus, this has become another area where homeowners are quickly installing outdoor shades. 3) Poolside Lounges Now we are really talking! Who doesn't love to kick back with their favorite cold beverage and spend some time relaxing next to the pool? That is what you can enjoy more completely when you set up a poolside lounge with outdoor shades. Poolside lounges are meant to be a place where you can spend several hours at a time. However, it can get pretty hot while doing so if you don't put some outdoor shades in place. Get those shades up so you can let all of your worries melt away as you take in the smell of pool water and sunscreen. 4) Garden Areas Do you enjoy a little gardening in your downtime? You might like it even more after setting up outdoor shades that protect you from the excessive heat of the sun. Gardening is labor-intensive work and can take several hours of diligent labor to do it properly. However, you don't want to overextend yourself and end up getting physically overworked. Keeping some of the sun away is an excellent way to ensure that you don't overdo it. Just make sure that you check up on the sunlight needs of the various plants that you intend to put into your garden before installing outdoor shades. 5) Exterior Windows Did you know that it is possible to reduce your energy bills by installing outdoor shades? It's true! If you place outdoor shades on the exterior windows of your home, you can reduce the strain placed on your air conditioning by naturally reducing the overall temperature within your living space. This means less money out of your pocket and more money for working on your next project.  There are many interesting places where homeowners are installing outdoor shades these days. For more creative ideas on what you can do with yours, reach out and contact us now.