Plus, when it is in the middle of the summer or you just need some shade to hang out there a bit longer, pulling the string or pressing the button can bring you instant relief.  We say this because there are, in fact, both manual and motorized blinds and shades.  The manual patio blind is still the most common and is fairly simple to operate.  In most cases, these styles either roll down or have a roman blind type of function, where each panel ‘slides’ down.

This rendition shows patio blinds that will block the sun and provide great privacy.

Motorized styles will have a guide wire or track in which the blinds will ride down as they unroll or slide.  In either style, the end result is a type of ‘faux wall’ that is created.  This appearance of a semi-enclosed patio can provide you with more comfort in the shade and a sense of privacy.  Because you can still see through them unless you have a solid fabric material, you don’t feel too enclosed or trapped in a small space.

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Speaking of materials, you can find outdoor shades made in a variety of fabrics and materials.  The trend is moving toward more organic materials that represent a sustainable and environmentally friendly options.  One perfect example of this style is bamboo blinds.  Bamboo is both a natural resource, but is sustainable because it is actually a grass.  This grass grows very quickly and will withstand the outdoor elements on your patio quite well.

Other patio shades that stand up well to the outdoors are the heavier canvas materials and those made with Sunbrella.  This Sunbrella brand fabric is dyed during the stage of production when the fabric material is still and is therefore locked into the final product when it is dried.  This helps to keep them fade free and weather resistant.  At Patio Covers Place, we tend to be in favor of quality materials and above all else environmental and sustainable patio products and accessories.

For this reason, we must weigh product materials versus longevity to determine a products real impact to the planet.  Often, what might seem like an environmentally poor choice, like plastic and polymer-type materials, can actually be better for us in the long run because these materials last longer.  If, for example, you can end up using a patio blind for a longer period of time, it means it is usually of better quality and it also means that it is less waste for our landfills.  This makes certain fabric choices winners in the long-term.

Outdoor patio blinds come in a variety of patterns and colors as well.  If you are trying to match the theme of your home or simply your exterior paint color, you should have no problem.  Something that is not often considered with this type of discussion is the savings in your indoor cooling costs as well.  If you can provide more shade to your patio, then your cooling costs will be less because of less sun exposure.  This is never more true than in a discussion of cooling enclosed patios and sunrooms, too.  Using conservatory blinds can save you a bundle.

This is just another reason to buy quality and consider it an investment that pays for itself.  Pricing for your blinds will vary depending upon the amount of coverage you are looking for.  Don’t be suckered in by going just for the cheap blinds to save on your initial investment.  You’ll be happy that you opted to go for the quality patio blinds.

So, what makes an outdoor shade suitable for your particular needs and space?  Well, this all depends upon your requirements for shade and other needs.  If what you are really seeking is a permanent type of shade structure, under which you can put all your patio furniture and tables, then a patio cover is what you need.  There are various types of patio covers from which to choose.  The most popular of these is the pergola.  With its handsome features and simple lines, it is possible to craft one to fit most any patio space and home decor.  These can provide large shaded areas for your patio either using a lattice roof type of style or by having a proper canopy overhead.  A great look is to have vines and other greenery grow up and over the top of your pergola creating a cool, green dappled shaded area.  Talk about ambiance!

Other types of patio shade include things like a patio canopy, awnings or blinds.  Though possible, awnings and blinds don’t usually form shade in an overhead manner.  Typically if you are looking at patio blinds or curtains, you are seeking to enhance an otherwise shaded area from above.  So, what you would have is an outdoor shade like an awning or canopy and then further enhance and envelope your patio space with these other features.

Specifically addressing the patio shades component, these are usually a type of roller shade.  As the name implies, this type of shade rolls down to create a ‘wall’ for shade.  This is especially helpful to block those angled rays from the intense sun.  In the winter, when the sun is lower in the sky, you can keep them up out of the way – this is assuming you live in a climate where you can enjoy your patio year-round.

Other types of roll-down shades are things like a retractable shade or awning that comes out when needed.  These outdoor blinds are very similar to your indoor varieties, they are just made to withstand the elements of nature.  Blinds made to be outdoors are made with more durable materials like heavier vinyls, polyester and canvases.  They also have aluminum or stainless fittings and parts so that the rain and moisture will not rust them or stain your awning shades.

We talked above about how awnings are usually not an overhead shade provide, but this is not always the case.  There are certain manufacturers that have made a retractable awning that functions much like a sunroof in your car.  These are like hybrid awning-canopies.  They are installed on a patio cover type structure that can look much like a pergola.  However, the difference is in how these awnings can be retracted.  There are several panels that can all be independently opened or closed providing shade in an almost personal way.  These make great flexible shading.

Outdoor Shades – Standout Winner and Our Patio Place Pick

In case you missed our article on patio canopies, we mentioned one of favorite outdoor shades – the Australian shade sail.  These are so named because they look like a sail on a ship.  They were developed in Australia where temperatures can be quite extreme – similar to the desert southwest of the U.S.  Basically, they look like large sails that are stretched or mounted between several poles, often 3 or 4, depending upon the shape of the sail.  They are under a fair amount of tension between their anchor points, so it is critical that they be mounted to fixed points, like a building or rigidly mounted poles or posts.  They can be layered or staggered for great effect.  Consider getting them in a variety of colors and use these outdoor shades to add some splash and life to your patio space.

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