Now, before you get too confused about what a solar shade is exactly, it depends in part on what you are looking for.  Technically speaking, any shade or blind could be considered a ‘solar’ one.  After all, they are all intended to block the harsh sun and provide a cool place to rest and relax.  In this sense, even an exterior shutter could be classified in this category.  Classically, the term has referred to those shade screens that consist of a fine mesh, through which only small amounts of light will pass.  You can see through them, so they are not really blackout blinds.  These are great for enclosed patio or sunrooms.  Other types of outdoor shades are designed specifically for your outer patio covered area.

Solar shades can be fabrics or this more modern and 'green' take.

Solar window shades are by far the most common way to provide for comfort inside your home.  They usually take the form of that fine mesh we mentioned that can either be fixed in place – solar screen shades – or can roll down to cover your window at specific times of your choosing.  These solar roller shades can be operated with a manual cord mechanism or can be motorized.  And, in fact, the motorized versions can even open and close using a switch, timer or solar sensor.  The last of these, the sensor, operates much like a night light in your bathroom or hallway.  When the sun comes up and begins to hit the sensors to trigger your solar shading, down they come to keep your space cool.

This same type of technology has been employed for your outdoor shades as well.  In fact, these automatic solar shades are the ones that seem to provide the least hassle and most convenient way to get that level of comfort you are seeking from your patio space.  You’ve probably seen or been places that employ not only patio shades, but those patio misters as well.  These mist systems supply your patio with a cool water mist that can lower the temperature of your patio by up to 30 degrees F according to certain manufacturer statistics.  When you combine a great solar shade set up with these misters, you can actually have a very comfortable space, even in the middle of desert summer.

The types of patio sun shades that you can get fixed on to your windows for your home claim to block out as much as 90% of the suns UV rays.  This is great not only for temperature control within your home, but also for protection of your indoor furniture and carpeting.  It is well known how the effects of ultraviolet light affect fading and premature aging of fabrics exposed to the sun.

This knowledge is what has led companies like Sunbrella™, a leader in this area, to develop a solar shade fabric that resists UV fading.  These solar fabrics have made not only shades more resistant, but also patio awnings, patio blinds even patio cushions have benefited.  The same technology is available in all of these outdoor products as well.  So, whether you are looking for a manual style, motorized style or a combination of both, outdoor solar shades will get you out on your patio where you belong more of the time and in greater comfort at that.

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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.

There are ways to shade your patio and then there are ways to shade your patio.  If you are used to the simple and temporary ways of doing it by using a patio umbrella or other type of patio canopy, then you are in for some education.  These previous styles can work quite well for specific shading needs, but if you are looking to step up the look and function of your patio space, then you need to look at a more professional type of awning.

This is one of the hybrids mentioned that has both retractable awning members and acts as a pergola.

Now, having said this, there are hybrid awning-patio cover structures that accomplish both of these demands.  We talked about these structures in previous articles here at Patio Covers Place.  Briefly, what they look like are either pergolas or other four posted units, with the awnings that run along tracts on the ‘roof’ of the structure.  So, what you end up with are individual panels that can be retracted or closed to allow for more variable shading.  This can be great for those times when you want a little bit of both sun and shade.  Photo credit

Typical patio awnings can be anything from a fix-mounted unit to something that has the ability to fold up out of the way.  A fix-mounted patio awning is the way that you will save the most money.  You can get these made with a variety of materials and fabrics that withstand the elements quite well.  The frames for these types of awnings are usually made of a light gauge steel and powder coated for rust protection or they can be made with aluminum.  Both styles of frames come in various colors to match your awning or home decor preferences.  The awnings themselves also come in a wide variety of colors and prints.  A classic awning has a bold striped pattern, but solid colors are also a very common way to go.

Patio Awnings Come In Different Shapes and Sizes

Your awnings may also come with different types of trim.  You may have a solid straight edge or you can get a number of different trim styles, like scalloped edges.  These are all available in both the fixed and retractable awning styles.  The main difference between the two is in appearance and your specifications.

Most retractable patio awning styles come in both a manual and an automatic version.  The way that the awning retracts or unfolds is usually similar between the two.  A manually operated awning is opened and closed by way of a crank.  As you crank on the handle, the awning opens or closes.  These work just fine, but some people have personal situations where operating them by hand is either not possible or simply inconvenient.

Here are some images of retractable awnings with a scalloped edge and drop-down extra sun protection in desert tan.

In these cases, you can opt for one of the motorized versions.  Motorized awnings work in basically the same way as the manual styles, except that they are powered.  These can be operated in several ways as well.  There are styles that come with switches, remotes or timers.  For example, you can have a switch located just inside of your patio and just turn it on and it will open all by itself.  It will do the same in reverse when you are wanting to go back in for some time and don’t want it to remain open for any number of reasons – we’ll discuss a few of these further on in this article.   Photo credit

The remotes work on the same principle, it is just that they can be opened or closed from anywhere on your patio or indoors, not relying on a fixed switch mounting position.  The final option is to have your retractable patio awning controlled by a timer or sensor.  These work either by opening or closing at specific times that you can set.  The sensor styles are opened or retracted by sensing the sun in the sky.  As it rises or sets, your sensor picks this up and allows your patio to achieve just the amount of sun or shade you desire and at just the right times!

Buying and Maintaining Your Retractable Patio Awning

Some things to think about when purchasing or owning a retractable awning include cost, maintenance, installation and safety concerns.  If you are considering a purchase, then you are likely aware that these styles are a bit more expensive than the fixed-mounted awnings.  For a quality retractable awning, expect to pay approximately $1,500-2,000 USD for a standard 10’ x 10’ awning.  You can find cheaper ones, but you may be sacrificing quality.  You can also find more expensive ones which probably are the motorized ones with sensors and the like.  Custom sizes can also be ordered which will obviously up the price tag.  However, a proper fitting awning is what you are really after.  The long-term returns for a perfectly sized, quality retractable awning far outweigh any short-term savings.

With proper care, you should enjoy a quality retractable awning for many years.  There have been great strides in materials and parts over the years, so operation is smooth, quiet and quite quick.  Generally speaking, cleaning your patio awning fabric itself can be accomplished using a simple solution of water and mild detergent.  Follow your manufacturer’s directions for any stains that you may acquire to ensure that you don’t permanently damage or stain your awning.  As far as the motorized parts are considered, there is not too much to worry about there.  Occasional lubrication depending upon conditions will also keep your awning opening and closing smoothly for years.

When it comes to installation concerns, this aspect would best be left up to the professionals that can be recommended by your awning retailer. It isn’t that they are very difficult to install, just some issues with precision measurements and proper mounting will not only keep you safe but also make sure your awning functions properly.  A poor installation can give you safety issues.  This isn’t to say that an avid and handy DIYer couldn’t do this project, it would just need to be done right.

Safety is not something you want to be thinking about when all you want to do is be out there relaxing.  This is actually another benefit of a retractable awning over a fixed-mounted style.  The retractable styles can be closed during inclement weather to protect them from wind damage or other flying debris in a serious storm.  These awnings roll up or fold into their own protective aluminum case for safe storage.

For these reasons, motorized awnings make great sense.  Whatever style you decide upon, know that just having them is more than half the battle.  Don’t struggle with the decision for too long, you’re missing out on all the enjoyment you could be having out on your patio.  Pick up or order some type of retractable awning and kick your feet up by next weekend.

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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Within the class of outdoor umbrellas – an ironic term since I can’t imagine why you would want an indoor one – are several smaller families of umbrellas.  These include poolside ones, offset or cantilever styles and the market umbrella.  We will discuss each of these here in a moment.  As you know, patio covers provide you some general shade for a specific area, but more ‘spot shading’ is really better accomplished with the selection of a great umbrella.

Styles of Patio Umbrellas

This is a wood and brass patio umbrella.

As mentioned, a patio umbrella is really just a name given to the fact that you use this one for your deck or patio.    It can be like having someone hold a shade up to block the sun just for you while you sip your cool drink and daydream about life always being like this.  A similar thing is true of naming the umbrella out by your pool.  Yup, you guessed it, it’s called a pool umbrella.  In effect, it is the same style of one you might use for your patio, with the exception that the materials used might be better suited for more water exposure.

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Essentially, these styles are more classic of the market umbrella style.  It is so named because of its ubiquitous use throughout European open markets.  Now, these styles of umbrella can be found everywhere.  They are usually made with a straight pole, canopy and some type of stand.  Umbrellas stands for these can either be made of a heavy iron or a plastic base that can be filled with water or sand for weight.  The obvious reason for this is that you are trying to eliminate the danger of wind or other forces causing your umbrella to blow down or otherwise fall.  The heavier iron stands are more typical in restaurants, cafes and outdoor markets because they look nicer and have a smaller footprint or profile than the larger plastic types.  For home use, it is common to find the plastic ones that can be filled with whatever material you choose for weight.

Most market umbrellas have a fixed or rigid pole, but some have a tilt mechanism that can allow you to position the canopy to provide just the right angle for shade cover as the sun moves through the sky..  The shape and size of these umbrellas is typically in the 6’ to 10’ range for the canopy itself.  There are larger styles, but usually are custom ordered or can be accomplished with the next type of umbrella we will discuss.

Larger outdoor shades or umbrellas can be used if you need a greater amount of shade, but don’t want to commit to a fully built patio shade structure.  Here, we are talking about styles called cantilever umbrellas or offset umbrellas.  These are sometimes terms that are used interchangeably.  The basic point is, like the name suggests, an umbrella with a canopy that is offset from the base.  This allows for two things:  you can have more usable space beneath your umbrella and you can get more flexibility with shade positioning.  For example, let’s say that you are having a party out on your deck or patio and you would like to have as much free space for setting up or sitting as possible, an offset model is perfect for this application.  What you can do is set the base of the umbrella away from the table with food or the chairs you have set up and then the canopy can be positioned in such a way that your guests and/or food have it made in the shade, so to speak.

This is an example of the cantilever umbrella style.

Another option for a cantilever style is to mount the umbrella base to a fixed place like a wall or part of a more permanent building structure.  This allows for much more space freedom as you don’t have to worry about even where to position a base.  Now, keep in mind that with this style relocating it is a bit more of a chore, if even possible.     photo credit

So, what are your options with fabrics and other umbrella materials?  Like most things related to your patio, quality will greatly affect your choices.  Fabric patterns range from simple to bold to anything in between.  If you want to make your patio look like a tropical island, there is an umbrella for that.  Sunbrella, a brand-name in outdoor fabrics, has UV resistance built in to their products.  Because of the way that the dye is added during the ‘wet’ stage of making this special acrylic fabric, the final product is fade resistant and wears well for years.

You can also find fabrics such as canvas and other vinyls that work well for an outdoor fabric that needs to withstand the elements of nature.  Other materials such as the wood and metal parts should be kept in mind as well.  Woods such as teak and properly treated softer woods can last fine outdoors.  The support members and attachment points to the canopy should be made of stainless steel, brass or aluminum for best results.  These will not only resist staining of your fabrics but will last longer than cheaper metal options.  Wind sheer is also an important thing to consider for both safety and longevity issues.  If you live in a windy region, you’ll need to ensure that you close your umbrella to make sure it stays in your yard.  As long as you follow the advice of proper maintenance and cleaning, your patio umbrella should last for many years.

TropiLight 9-Foot Bronze Aluminum Lighted Canvas Market Umbrella 9-foot lighted canvas market umbrella with bronze aluminum frame. Price: Available in Cart

Ace Evert 9-Feet Auto Tilt Market Umbrella, Olefin Fabric, Khaki 9′ Auto tilt market umbrella you can maximize shading area with the easy to use auto tilting mechanism and angle the umbrella against the sun. Sturdy aluminum construction provides for years of trouble free use and fade resistant Khaki color olefin fabric looks great. Price: Available in Cart

New 2010 Deluxe Burgundy 10′ Offset Patio Umbrella Off Set Outdoor Market Umbrella You are viewing a Brand New 10′ Burgundy Off Set Patio Umbrella. Attractive & stylish design make this patio umbrella a must have. Please make sure to look at our other products, because we do carry other colors.Brand New in Retail Packaging10′ DiameterBurgundyDeluxe Offset patio umbrellaAttractive… Price: Available in Cart

Adams Mfg./Patio Furn. 8129-23-3716 Umbrella Base Designed to fit most full size umbrellas. Simply styled, can be easily weighted for added support with either sand or water. Made of durable resin. 14.5″ L. x 14.5″ W. x 5.5″ H. No. 8120 23 3716: Desert clay No. 8129 01 3716: Sage No. 8120 48 3716: White Price: Available in Cart

To browse some more patio umbrellas, check out www.patioumbrellas.com

There are many styles of outdoor shades and canopies from which to choose.  In fact, there are probably some ideas out there that you have never heard of or seen.  One of our favorites here at Patio Covers Place are the Australian shade sails.  These types of canopies work great for a patio.  They are minimally intrusive as far as profile goes and they provide great shade.

This type of patio canopy is usually made of a nylon material, but you can also find them in certain types of canvases as well.  These are typically triangular shaped and have anchor points to buildings or other firmly mounted poles or posts.  The reason behind this is because they are under high tension so you want to make sure that the anchor points are strong and can take the consistent pressure applied by the shade sail.  Additionally, when it is windy, the anchor points will experience more pressure, so it is critical that they can handle it.

We like the Australian patio canopy type of shade.

Of course, these are not the only type of shade possibilities for your patio.  If you are looking for a more temporary solution for some shading for a party or get together or special event, then you might consider a pop-up type of shade.  Similarly, if you want some spot shading or need a little burst of color or ambiance, a nice patio umbrella could do the trick for you.  An umbrella is a far cry from a full cover for your patio or deck, but it can add extra shading when necessary.

Since we are on the subject, let’s briefly mention the other ways to achieve shade for your patio.  This would include a discussion about blinds and other outdoor curtains or drapes.  In most cases, the curtains are more for ambiance than for gaining much in the way of shading.  However, if the sun is coming in at an angle, a drape can do good for you.  Similarly, patio blinds are of great benefit in this department – we’ve discussed bamboo blinds here.  You can get them with manual rolling features or have them motorized.  You can learn more details about these by going to our Patio Shades & Awnings category on the home page.

At times, patio canopies fall under the category garden canopy.  This is really a special type of shade structure that is very easy to assemble and have up in no time.  If you are looking for that type of temporary shade structure or something for that event like mentioned above, then this type of patio canopy would work great.  They can be adorned with any number of curtains and pull backs to give them an elegant look.  You can also use them for evening or night entertaining and have a set of patio string lights hung around the edge for a nice detail.  In the end, your patio is a place to get some much needed rest, relaxation and entertainment, so make it as comfortable and shaded as possible for you to enjoy all season – or year – long.

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