Outdoor shades are wonderful additions to your home. Not only do they allow you to enjoy mornings and evenings on your porch or patio in comfort, but they also protect you from some of the harshest side effects of the sun, including excessive UV exposure , which can lead to serious health consequences over time. If you have exterior shades installed, one of the best ways to protect your investment and ensure that your outdoor shades stand the test of time, protecting you and your family over the long haul, is to institute a routine cleaning and maintenance plan. How Often Should You Clean And Maintain Your Exterior Shades? Because needs will always vary by season and climate, it's best to visually inspect your exterior shades once a month. If you see any buildup of dust or pollen, or any obvious maintenance issues, address them immediately. At least once per quarter, you should also schedule a thorough cleaning and maintenance check. Every three months, around the time the seasons change, schedule a day to clean and thoroughly check your blinds for any routine maintenance. Particularly if you live in the Southeast, we recommend scheduling thorough cleaning and maintenance in January, April, July, and October. 3 Steps to Cleaning Your Home's Exterior Shades First, start by thoroughly cleaning your exterior shades. Step 1: Gather your cleaning supplies. You will need the following: A bucket and a mild cleaning agent A hose and water supply A soft brush or broom A soft cloth When it comes to your cleaning agent, be sure to avoid any solutions with harsh chemicals. If you haven't received information on any manufacturer-specific suggestions, we recommend using a mild dish soap diluted in water. Step 2: Dust away dirt and debris. Using your soft brush or broom, gently remove all excess buildup of dust, dirt, and debris. Make note of any trouble spots that will need more extensive cleaning. Step 3: Thoroughly clean your exterior shades. Begin by testing your cleaning solution in a small, hidden area. If you see any strong reaction, including erosion or discoloration, stop immediately and seek more information. Only if your shades respond well should you proceed with a full cleaning. Start by using your hose to gently rinse your exterior shades from top to bottom. Next, using your soft cloth, clean the shades, removing all accumulations of dirt and grime. After a final rinse with the hose, allow the shades to air dry in the sun. If necessary, repeat this step until your shades are fully clean. What Routine Maintenance Issues Should You Check For As You Clean? As you clean your exterior shades, keep your eyes peeled for any routine maintenance issues that may need to be addressed. Trouble spots to watch out for include the following: Fading color. Though color fading in itself is not an emergency, it can show that your exterior shades are beginning to show wear and tear. Assess the extent of the damage and consult with Just Blinds to evaluate the projected longevity of your current shades. Sagging shades. Sagging shades don't necessarily need to be replaced, but they may need to be re-tensioned. Check the external hardware and see if anything needs to be tightened up or replaced. Rips, tears, gaps, or holes. No matter how small, these issues need to be addressed immediately. Addressing these issues early can prevent the damage from growing, preventing more costly repairs down the line. Buy a patch kit and follow the instructions for sealing up any trouble spots. Just Blinds Is Here to Help To hear more about how to maintain your exterior shades, or to learn more about how outdoor shades can add value to your home and help you better enjoy your outdoor living areas by reducing heat, offering increased privacy, and lowering your UV exposure, feel free to contact us . We look forward to serving you.
Lake homes are among the most desired types of properties out there, and the added value that these properties can fetch is nothing to brush aside. In fact, according to HomeLight , lakefront properties consistently outperform other homes in terms of resale value: Thanks to the law of limited supply, lakefront properties generally come with a higher price tag than their inland counterparts. Although waterfront properties fluctuate in value like the rest of the real estate market, they consistently sell at a higher price than homes that are not on the water. As such, if you are the fortunate owner of lakefront property, you should do everything in your power to maintain that property to the highest standards and keep it fully equipped with the most desirable features. Among the features that you ought to include: Exterior shades! What Value Do Exterior Shades Add to a Lakefront Home? There are a lot of different things that one might choose to do to increase the value of their lakefront home, but few will provide as much benefit as adding exterior shades. Here are some reasons why you should consider this addition: Reduce Exposure to the Sun Without Hampering the View A major part of the appeal of lakefront homes is the fact that they tend to feature stunning views of the body of water on which they rest. You certainly wouldn't want to spoil that view by obstructing it. At the same time, you still want protection from sunlight streaming directly into your eyes. Fortunately, exterior shades offer the best of both worlds. They will: Reduce direct exposure to sunlight Keep internal temperatures within your home cooler Maintain that beautiful lakeside view that you desire Improve Your Property's Privacy Sure, it is nice to be neighborly when you can, but no one can fault you for also wanting a little privacy while you are out at your lakefront property. Since lakefront properties are typically situated near other homes, docks, and other areas accessible to the public, you should consider exterior shades to maintain your privacy without completely isolating yourself from the outside world. Exterior shades help reduce visibility into your home from outside docks, neighborhood houses, and more. If you want to enjoy your sanctuary without full isolation, then exterior shades are the way to go. Keeps Bugs and Grime Away Spend any time on the lake, and you will quickly realize just how attractive a body of water is to insects and bugs. Additionally, windy conditions can bring pollen, leaves, and other debris into your home. Exterior shades help to keep all of that out of your home and allows you to enjoy your lakefront home for all that it has to offer. Are There Other Reasons to Consider Exterior Shades? You better believe there are additional reasons to consider installing exterior shades. Namely, they add a lot of value to the home because they create a space that is both comfortable and low-maintenance. Many of today's buyers are looking for both of those attributes when they go house hunting. They want to see that any home that they might purchase isn't going to cause them an excessive amount of effort and grief to make it a comfortable space to spend some time. Exterior shades go a long way towards making that case. Besides that, exterior shades are highly durable and don't need to be cleaned often. They will help make your home more energy-efficient by naturally lowering the internal temperature. Plus, these shades help you to extend the portion of your home that you can use for living and recreational purposes. By providing additional shade, exterior shades can help keep certain areas cool enough to enjoy even in the heat of summer. With all of this in mind, reach out and contact us today to schedule an appointment for getting exterior shades put on your lakefront property. It can be one of the smartest investments you ever make.
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.
