Patio Sunshades Save Homeowners More than Just a Sunburn
BWS Design • June 30, 2016

Energy efficiency, unhealthy UV rays and privacy are just a few of the buzzwords heard today when homeowners consider window coverings in a build or a remodel. Since windows and their treatments are of importance to the value of the house, it just makes sense to employ these buzzwords to their best advantage. Another facet involved in home improvements is money. No one will argue that saving money is paramount to the quality of a family’s life, nor to the quality of the home. Homeowners would have a grand idea if they considered working with those buzzwords from the outside in.

Energy Efficiency in Patio Sunshades

Considering we read about the dangers of sun exposure, homeowners constantly plan ways of mitigating the sun’s less admirable qualities. Might we suggest installing patio sunshades? When the sun’s harmful propensities are stopped cold (pardon the pun) before they enter the house, then the homeowner catches a break on his power bill. These shades are also handy in winter for keeping harsh winds from affecting the glass in the windows or from sneaking around sealants to find their way inside. Saving on the power bill is what energy efficiency is all about.

Fun in the Sun and Patio Sunshades

Homeowners morphing their patios and decks into outdoor rooms a la the Property Brothers do so for many reasons. Networking and entertaining top the list, but fun in the sun for quality family time isn’t too far from the top. Cookouts, watching the game on the big screen TV, birthday parties, screaming fun on Saturdays and much more fun stuff are best enjoyed in a dedicated outdoor space. Patio sunshades benefit the homeowner and/or a spouse who works at home and chooses to work on the patio, so he or she can soak up some Vitamin D. They benefit the spouse who brings home for supper or drinks people from work or people interested in his or her field of endeavor. When things get too hot, dropping the patio sunshades livens up droopy-from-heat get-togethers. And don’t forget to lower the shades when sunburn enters the picture. Sunshades have the potential to cut harmful UV rays by up to 90 percent.

Privacy and Patio Sunshades

We all know the feeling of eyes watching us. It creeps us out and makes us go inside. That defeats the purpose of getting a tan, enjoying the pool, working in the flowers or vegetable garden and so forth. Keep those prying eyes at bay with patio sunshades. The shades come in multiple levels of sheer, so homeowners can choose their own level of privacy. Not only that, but the shades allow homeowners to see out while keeping spying eyes from seeing in. Shades are controlled by remote. Outdoor shades also adjust easily when they are mounted on cables with wire controls. Homeowners will have the same control over their outdoor shades as they have over their indoor window treatments, and using much the same controls. Have that pool party, work out on the patio or plant something delicious; we have you covered!

Variety in Patio Sunshades

Just as fabrics, faux woods, colors, custom shapes and other distinctions in window treatments have evolved, so have outdoor shades. For example, fabric shades and Roman shades have transformed many a room with their elegance and functionality. From sheer to medium added to any color in the spectrum, these window treatments are custom-fitted to any window in the house. Now apply the same paradigm to outdoor shades. Homeowners have a choice of materials, sheerness and colors for their patio sunshades.

We offer Alabama a wide selection of window treatments plus the added knowledge of outdoor sunshades. When you contact us for more information, we’ll be happy to tell you all about it. Free estimates, professional measuring and professional installation are just a few things you can look forward to when calling us for help.

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.