How Exterior Solar Screen Shades Help You Spend More Quality Time Outdoors
In the Pacific Northwest, one of the things that pulls us through the long, grey days of winter is daydreaming about time spent with loved ones outdoors in the summer.
But for too many homeowners, their precious time outdoors gets cut short by the punishing effects of the summer sun. Exterior solar screens can buy that precious time back for us.
Our client, Don, built an incredible, beautiful veranda for his family to enjoy just outside of their kitchen and dining area. It stands open on three sides to the east, south, and west and features comfortable seating, a cooking area, and a lovely fireplace. It’s a true outdoor oasis with a stunning view of the surrounding green space in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
This outdoor deck in Oregon offers protection from rain and sun
Outdoor veranda for family fun in Lake Oswego, Oregon
And because it’s such an open space, it was constantly being flooded by sunlight which made it hard for everyone to enjoy the veranda together, much less use it for entertaining.
Solar Screens Give Us Back the Summer We’ve Been Hoping For
This wasn’t the first outdoor dream-space we’ve seen invaded by the sun. We’ve seen it on patios, decks, and pergolas. Unfortunately, many homeowners discover how much time they’re losing outdoors after their space is completed.
Clients come to us to take back control of their outdoor experience. They’re tired of losing out on the great times outdoors with family and friends simply because their outdoor space is not protected well enough from the glaring sun.
It just isn’t right for people who’ve worked hard to build a dream home and an outdoor oasis to lose the chance to use it when there is a simple, powerful solution to be found in solar screens.
At Adrette, we feel your frustration and know that you want to enjoy your patio as much as possible during the precious summer months. After years of research and experience, we now install products from Insolroll, a leader in solar shade manufacturing from Colorado who builds American-made, quality sun screen shades up to 19 ft. wide. They allow us to offer custom-built solar shading products that:
· Are durable and reliable
· Protect your family and guests from solar rays
· Manage the temperature in your outdoor space
· Are available with 4-sided seal to help keep insects out
· And in the right locations, offer a protective barrier for stray golf balls!
What the Process of Installing Outdoor Solar Screens Looks Like
The process of installing solar screens is simple, and we pride ourselves on making it as easy and enjoyable as possible. Here’s how it works.
1. DESIGN - Together, we select the perfect fabric and shade style.
2. CREATION - We have your exterior sun screen shades custom-made in the USA and then install them for you.
3. INSPIRATION – You take back control of your inspiring oasis and live summer to the fullest with your family and friends!
We visited Don’s home to assess the situation and design a custom solution. Fortunately, there was enough space for the extruded aluminum head boxes that house the shades, and we could also make his screens motorized and remote-controlled.
Don wanted 4 shades: two on the east side and two on the west. They would come down to meet the dark metal railing that was already in place.
· Our Window Fashion Designer, Marlys, showed him the available fabric and hardware color options.
· Then, they also considered fabric density which affects both sun protection and visibility.
· It made sense to closely match the color of the metal railing, so they choose a dark brown fabric that would also offer the best see-through properties.
We always work with an electrical contractor to install the wiring and junction boxes where they are needed and make the final connections. When Don’s custom-built screens arrived, our installers performed a professional installation and programmed his multi-channel Somfy remote to control them. Home Automation offers a sense of elegance in indoor and outdoor spaces, and you can see how easy and satisfying it is to operate them.
Insolroll Exterior Solar Screens in motion - by Adrette Window Coverings in Portland, Oregon
The Surprising Added Benefit of Outdoor Solar Screens
Don and his family discovered that their sun shades not only reduced the glare during the day but also kept their outdoor space warmer after sunset. This added bonus makes evening meals at the table on their veranda more enjoyable than ever before.
In fact, solar screens extend the outdoor season for all homeowners, allowing them to enjoy their space longer thanks to the extra protection surrounding it.
Many of our clients end up adding shades in stages after they see how effective they are. Don is now considering adding another solar shade on the south side of their veranda so they can enclose the space when needed.
Take Control of Your Summer and Extend the Outdoor Season with Exterior Solar Screens
Imagine sitting on your patio this summer, comfortably protected from the heat, glare, and bugs (and even golf balls!), knowing you just extended your outdoor season by many weeks for years to come.
Shouldn’t your home and your outdoor living space feel comfortable and inviting while reflecting your personal style? We look forward to guiding you through the process and making it easy to create it!
Schedule a consultation here or by calling (503) 703-4692. We look forward to answering your questions so you can use the oasis you’ve created whenever you want and make the most of your summer months.
You can also learn how solar shades protect the interior of your home during the summer in our previous blog article. You’ll see how our clients kept their home cooler, lowered their utility bills, and protected their furnishings and interior from fading!
Custom Drapery | Smart Motorization | Shades | Custom Blinds | Shutters | Pillows & Bedding
Choosing custom window treatments can be overwhelming.
With Adrette’s expert guidance, you will make confident decisions and enjoy a warm, inviting space transformed by beautiful, functional drapes, blinds, shades, or shutters.