Hear from Our Customers
Your patio becomes usable again. Not just tolerable for twenty minutes before everyone retreats inside, but actually comfortable during the hours you want to be out there.
The furniture stops fading. The glare through your back windows disappears. Your AC doesn’t run constantly trying to compensate for all that glass baking in the afternoon sun.
You get privacy without losing airflow. You control how much light comes in without blocking your view entirely. And when the weather turns, your outdoor roller shades hold up because they’re built for Texas conditions, not just decorated for them.
Most people notice their energy bills drop within the first month. The shade blocks heat before it ever reaches your windows, which means your cooling system isn’t fighting a losing battle all summer. That’s not a marketing claim—it’s basic physics.
A Plus Shutters & Shades grew out of A Plus Home Remodel, a construction company that’s been working in the DFW area for over a decade. We didn’t start as a shade company—we started as builders who got tired of seeing homeowners waste money on products that couldn’t handle Texas weather.
We opened our shutter and shade showroom because we saw a gap. Most companies either sell you something cheap that falls apart, or they oversell you on features you don’t need. We do neither.
Our team knows Hurst. We’ve worked on homes in your neighborhood. We understand what the summer sun does to west-facing patios and how quickly outdoor furniture deteriorates when it’s not protected. That local experience shapes every recommendation we make.
You call us or fill out a form. We schedule a time to come out and actually look at your space—not give you a ballpark estimate over the phone.
During that visit, we measure your windows or patio opening. We talk about what you’re trying to accomplish: blocking heat, adding privacy, protecting furniture, or all of the above. We show you fabric samples so you can see the difference between light filtering and blackout options, and we explain what each one actually does.
Once you choose your materials and operating system—manual, motorized, or remote-controlled—we place the order. Most exterior roller shades are custom-made to your exact measurements, so there’s a lead time. We’ll tell you upfront how long that takes.
Installation day is straightforward. Our installers show up on time, mount the shades, test the operation, and clean up after themselves. If you chose motorized outdoor shades, we program everything and walk you through the controls before we leave.
You’re not guessing how anything works. You’re not left with a manual and a “good luck.” You know exactly how to operate your new exterior window blinds because we showed you.
Ready to get started?
Every exterior roller shade we install is custom-fit to your space. That means no gaps, no light leaks, and no “close enough” measurements that leave you with a product that doesn’t quite work.
The fabrics are rated for outdoor use. They’re fade-resistant, mold-resistant, and moisture-resistant because they have to be. Hurst gets hot, humid, and unpredictable. Your outdoor shade blinds need to handle that without breaking down in two years.
You choose the level of coverage. Some fabrics block 95% of UV rays while still letting you see through them. Others are blackout roller shades that stop light completely—useful if you’re covering a porch that gets direct sun or if you want full privacy from the street.
Motorization is available on most styles. If you have large openings or multiple shades, a remote or app control makes a real difference. You’re not wrestling with a manual crank every time you want to adjust the shade.
In Hurst specifically, we see a lot of requests for exterior shades on west-facing patios and back porches. The afternoon sun here is brutal, and most homeowners are looking for relief without giving up their outdoor space entirely. That’s exactly what these shades are designed to do.
It depends on how much glass you’re covering and how much sun exposure that glass gets. But blocking heat outside your windows is significantly more effective than trying to block it inside.
When sunlight hits a window, it turns into heat. If you have an interior shade or blind, that heat is already inside your home, and your AC has to deal with it. Exterior roller shades stop the heat before it ever reaches the glass, which means your cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard.
Most of our customers in Hurst report noticeable drops in their energy bills during summer months, especially if they’re shading large patio doors or multiple windows on a south or west-facing wall. The exact savings vary, but the logic is simple: less heat coming in means less energy spent pushing it back out.
Yes, if they’re installed correctly and rated for outdoor use. The shades we install are built to handle wind, rain, and sun exposure without falling apart.
That said, if you’re in the path of a severe storm, it’s smart to retract them. Exterior shades are durable, but they’re not indestructible. Motorized options make this easy—you can pull them up with a remote before bad weather hits.
We also make sure the mounting is secure during installation. A shade that’s properly anchored to your structure isn’t going to rip loose in a typical Texas thunderstorm. But like anything installed outside, a little common sense goes a long way. If the wind is strong enough to move your patio furniture, pull the shades up.
It depends on the fabric you choose. Some materials are designed to block UV rays and heat while still allowing visibility. You can see out, but people can’t easily see in—especially during the day when it’s brighter outside than inside.
Other fabrics, like blackout roller shades, are meant to block light completely. Those are better for full privacy or for spaces where you want total sun control, but you won’t have a view when they’re down.
During your consultation, we’ll show you samples of both types so you can see the difference firsthand. Most people in Hurst go with a light-filtering option for patios and outdoor living areas because they want the protection without losing the view. But if privacy is your main concern, blackout is the way to go.
From the time you place your order to installation day, plan on a few weeks. These are custom-made to your measurements, so there’s a lead time while the shades are being fabricated.
The actual installation is usually done in a few hours, depending on how many shades you’re having installed and whether you’re adding motorization. We’re not there all day. We measure, mount, test, and walk you through how everything works.
If you need shades by a specific date—say, before a big event or the peak of summer—let us know upfront. We’ll tell you honestly whether that timeline is realistic. We’re not going to promise something we can’t deliver just to get the job.
Manual shades use a crank or pull chain. You operate them by hand, which is fine for smaller shades or if you don’t mind the effort. They’re also less expensive upfront since there’s no motor or wiring involved.
Motorized outdoor shades run on a motor that you control with a remote, wall switch, or smartphone app. They’re easier to use, especially if you have large shades or multiple units. You’re not cranking anything—you press a button and the shade goes up or down.
If you’re covering a big patio opening or installing several exterior window blinds, motorization makes sense. It’s also helpful if the shades are mounted high or in a spot that’s awkward to reach. The cost is higher, but the convenience is real. Most people who go motorized don’t regret it.
Not really. The fabrics are made to withstand outdoor conditions, so they don’t need constant attention. Most maintenance is just occasional cleaning—hosing them down or wiping them with a damp cloth to remove dust and pollen.
If you have motorized shades, the motor is sealed and designed for outdoor use, so it’s not something you need to worry about unless there’s a mechanical issue. We install quality components, and problems are rare.
The biggest thing is retracting them during severe weather if possible. Wind and hail can damage any outdoor product, and pulling the shades up when a storm is coming protects your investment. Beyond that, these are low-maintenance. You’re not repainting them, re-staining them, or replacing parts every year.
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