Hear from Our Customers
Your patio stops being a furnace. That’s the first thing you’ll notice.
Exterior roller shades block up to 95% of UV rays before they ever hit your windows or doors. That means your AC isn’t fighting a losing battle all afternoon. Surface temperatures can drop by 15 degrees or more, and your indoor spaces stay cooler without cranking the thermostat. In South Lamar, where summer temps regularly push past 100°F, that difference shows up on your electricity bill every single month.
You also get your outdoor space back. Right now, you probably avoid your patio between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. because it’s unbearable. With outdoor roller shades, you control the sun. Roll them down when you need shade, roll them up when you want the breeze. Your deck or porch becomes usable again—for morning coffee, afternoon work calls, or evening dinners without squinting into the sunset.
And if you go motorized, you’re not even getting up. Voice control or smartphone app, and the shades adjust on their own. It’s the kind of convenience that makes sense once you’ve lived with it.
A Plus Shutters & Shades isn’t new to this. We’ve spent ten years in construction and remodeling across the Austin area, so we understand how exterior roller shades fit into your home’s bigger picture—not just as an add-on, but as a real investment in comfort and energy efficiency.
We’re based locally, and we work with Texas-made products built to handle the climate you’re dealing with. High heat, sudden storms, intense UV exposure—these aren’t surprises to us. We size, install, and warranty every job because we know what holds up here and what doesn’t.
South Lamar homeowners deal with older homes, modern builds, and everything in between. We’ve worked on all of them. Whether you’re shading a bungalow porch on Manchaca or a new build patio near Barton Springs, the process is the same: measure right, install clean, and make sure it works the way you need it to.
You reach out, and we schedule a time to come see your space. This isn’t a sales pitch—it’s a consultation. We measure your patio, porch, or windows, talk through what you’re trying to solve, and show you fabric options that make sense for your setup. Some people want blackout roller shades for total sun control. Others prefer a lighter outdoor shade blind that still lets in a breeze. We walk through it with you.
Once you decide, we order your custom exterior roller shades. Everything is built to your exact measurements, so it fits clean and operates smoothly. Most orders take a couple weeks, depending on the season.
Installation day is straightforward. We show up, mount the brackets, install the shades, and test the operation—whether that’s manual pull or motorized control. If you’re adding smart home integration, we sync it with your system before we leave. The whole install usually wraps in a few hours, depending on how many shades you’re putting in.
After that, you’re set. We go over how to use them, what to expect for maintenance (which is minimal), and leave you with warranty paperwork. If anything comes up down the road, you call us. That’s it.
Ready to get started?
Every exterior roller shade we install is custom-measured for your space. You’re not working with stock sizes or “close enough” fits. We measure on-site, order to spec, and install for a clean, professional finish that operates the way it should.
You choose the fabric based on how much sun control you need. Want to block heat but keep the view? We’ve got tinted outdoor shade blinds that let you see out but keep the glare and UV rays out. Need full blackout for a sleeping porch or media area? We can do that too. The fabric options are built for Texas weather—high heat, wind, and sun exposure that would shred cheaper materials in a season or two.
Motorization is available on any setup. If you want to control your shades from your phone or integrate them with Alexa or Google Assistant, that’s a standard option. You’re not paying extra for some proprietary system. We use Somfy motors, which are reliable and compatible with most smart home platforms.
In South Lamar, a lot of homes have older porches or patios that weren’t built with shade in mind. We work with what’s there. If your structure needs reinforcement or adjustments to support the shade system, we handle that too. It’s part of having a construction background—we don’t just bolt things on and hope they hold.
It depends on your home, but the impact is real. Exterior roller shades block heat before it reaches your windows, which is far more effective than interior blinds or curtains. When you stop the sun from heating up your glass and walls, your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your house cool.
In South Lamar, where summer electricity bills can easily hit $300 to $400 a month for homes with older insulation or less efficient AC systems, cutting down heat gain by even 20-30% makes a noticeable difference. Some homeowners report saving $40 to $80 per month during peak summer, especially if they’re shading large west- or south-facing windows.
The savings add up over time. And if you’re using motorized shades with timers or smart home automation, you can program them to lower during the hottest part of the day and raise in the evening when temps drop. That kind of control maximizes efficiency without you having to think about it.
Yes, if they’re installed correctly and built for it. The shades we install use commercial-grade fabrics and mounting hardware designed to handle high winds. That said, if a serious storm is coming—like the kind with 60+ mph gusts—you’ll want to roll them up. Most motorized systems make that easy to do from inside.
The fabric itself is UV-resistant and water-resistant, so normal rain and sun exposure won’t degrade it. You’re looking at years of use before you’d even think about replacing the material. We’ve installed outdoor roller shades on homes across Austin, including areas that get hit with spring storms and heavy wind, and they hold up as long as they’re properly maintained.
Maintenance is minimal. Hose them off once or twice a year if dust builds up, and keep the tracks clear of debris. If you’re in an area with a lot of oak trees, you might need to brush off leaves more often, but that’s about it. The motorized components are sealed and weather-resistant, so they’re not going to short out in the rain.
That depends on the fabric you choose. Most outdoor roller shades use a mesh or tinted fabric that blocks UV rays and heat but still lets you see outside. From the inside, you get a clear view of your yard or street. From the outside, people see a tinted screen—they can’t see in, especially once the sun goes down and you have lights on inside.
If you want total privacy or blackout coverage, we can install darker fabrics or solid vinyl shades that block everything. Those are popular for patios where people want to create an enclosed, climate-controlled space, or for bedrooms and media rooms where light control matters more than the view.
The tinted mesh option is what most South Lamar homeowners go with for patios and porches. You still get airflow, you keep the bugs out, and you can see your yard without stepping into the heat. It’s a good middle ground between shade and openness. If you’re not sure which fabric works best for your setup, we bring samples to the consultation so you can see the difference in person.
Most installs take a few hours, depending on how many shades you’re putting in and whether you’re adding motorization. For a standard patio with two or three shades, we’re usually done in half a day. Larger projects—like wrapping a full porch or adding shades to multiple windows—might take a full day.
The actual installation process is clean and straightforward. We mount the brackets, install the roller mechanism, attach the fabric, and test everything to make sure it operates smoothly. If you’re going motorized, we program the controls and sync them with your smart home system before we leave.
There’s no major construction involved unless your patio or porch needs structural reinforcement, which is rare but does come up with older homes. If that’s the case, we’ll let you know during the consultation so there are no surprises. Once the shades are up, you’re good to go. We walk you through how to use them, answer any questions, and leave you with warranty info in case you need anything down the road.
Yes. Energy-efficient window treatments, including exterior roller shades, can qualify for federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. As of 2024, you can claim up to $1,200 for qualifying energy efficiency improvements, which includes exterior shading systems that reduce heat gain.
The specifics depend on the product and how it’s installed, so you’ll want to keep your receipt and product specs when you file. We provide all the documentation you need, including manufacturer details and energy performance ratings, so you’re covered if the IRS asks for proof.
Beyond federal credits, some Texas utility companies offer rebates for energy-efficient home upgrades. It’s worth checking with Austin Energy or your local provider to see what’s available in your area. The rebates change year to year, but exterior shading is often included because it directly reduces cooling costs. Even without rebates, the energy savings usually pay for the shades within a few years, especially if you’re shading large windows or a full patio that gets direct sun most of the day.
Exterior roller shades stop heat before it gets inside. Interior shades block light, but by the time the sun hits your window, the heat is already radiating into your home. That’s why exterior shading is far more effective for temperature control—you’re intercepting the sun outside, not trying to manage it after it’s already heating up your glass and walls.
For South Lamar homes, that difference matters. When your west-facing windows are getting blasted by afternoon sun, interior blinds might cut the glare, but they’re not stopping your AC from running nonstop. Exterior roller shades drop the surface temperature of your windows and reduce the heat load on your HVAC system, which translates to lower energy bills and a more comfortable house.
Exterior shades also protect your patio furniture, flooring, and anything else that’s exposed to UV rays. If you’ve ever had cushions fade or wood crack from sun damage, you know how fast it happens in Texas. Outdoor roller shades extend the life of everything under them. Interior shades don’t do that. They’re useful for privacy and light control, but if your goal is energy efficiency and protecting your outdoor space, exterior is the way to go.
Local Resources
