Hear from Our Customers
Your AC stops running constantly because you’re blocking heat outside instead of fighting it inside. That’s where the 20-30% drop in cooling costs comes from—not marketing talk, just physics.
Your patio becomes usable again. Right now, if it’s 105 degrees outside, your covered patio might still be 95. With outdoor roller shades, you can drop that to 80-85 degrees. That’s the difference between cutting dinner short and actually finishing your meal outside.
The furniture you spent good money on stops fading. UV rays don’t care that your couch cost $3,000. Exterior window blinds block up to 99% of that damage before it reaches your windows. Your floors, your furniture, your investment—all protected.
You get privacy without losing your view. These aren’t blackout roller shades that turn your patio into a cave. You can see out clearly while neighbors and passersby can’t easily see in. It’s the balance most homeowners in Govalle want but don’t know exists.
A Plus Shutters & Shades started as part of A Plus Home Remodel over ten years ago. We’re not new to construction, and we’re not new to Texas weather. We know what holds up and what doesn’t when you’re dealing with 108-degree days and sudden storms.
We run a dedicated showroom where you can see samples, test fabrics, and ask questions without pressure. Our installers are experienced—not subcontractors learning on your home. Every outdoor shade system is custom-built for your specific openings, which matters when you’re covering spans up to 25 feet wide.
Govalle’s housing market has exploded. Homes here range from renovated 1940s cottages to million-dollar new builds. We’ve worked on both. The approach doesn’t change: measure twice, install once, and make sure it works exactly how you need it to work.
You schedule a free consultation. We come to your home in Govalle, measure your outdoor spaces, and look at sun exposure patterns. Not every patio faces the same direction, and that affects which fabric density works best for your situation.
You’ll see fabric samples and operation options. Manual systems work fine for some homeowners. Others want motorized outdoor shades that integrate with Alexa or Google Assistant. We walk through what each option costs and what you actually get for the difference.
Once you decide, we custom-build your exterior roller shades. These aren’t off-the-shelf products adjusted to fit. They’re engineered for your exact measurements and your specific openings.
Installation day is straightforward. Our team shows up, mounts the system, tests the operation, and makes sure everything runs smoothly. You’ll know how to operate it, how to clean it, and what to do if you ever have issues. Then we clean up and leave you with outdoor shade blinds that actually work.
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You’re getting custom-sized outdoor roller shades built for openings up to 25 feet wide. The fabric blocks 80-95% of solar heat depending on which density you choose. All fabrics resist Austin’s weather extremes—the UV exposure, the temperature swings, the occasional hail storm.
Motorized options come with smart home integration. That means voice control, app control, or programmable schedules that lower your shades automatically when the sun hits your patio. Manual systems use a simple crank mechanism that doesn’t require electricity or batteries.
Every installation includes a 10-year warranty on fabric and a 7-year guarantee on motors. That’s not an extended warranty you pay extra for—it’s standard. If something fails during that window, we handle it.
The installation itself is professional. We’re not drilling random holes and hoping for the best. Our installers account for wind load, mounting surface, and operational clearance. In Govalle, where new construction sits next to older homes, that attention to detail matters. Your exterior window blinds need to handle whatever Texas throws at them, and proper installation is half the battle.
Most homeowners see a 20-30% reduction in summer cooling costs after installing outdoor roller shades. That’s not a guarantee—it depends on your home’s insulation, window quality, and how much direct sun exposure you’re currently dealing with.
Here’s why it works: blocking solar heat outside your windows is far more effective than blocking it inside. Interior blinds stop light, but the heat has already penetrated your glass and started warming your home. Exterior shades stop that heat before it ever reaches the window.
In Govalle, where we’re looking at 100+ degree days for months at a time, that difference adds up. Your AC isn’t fighting a losing battle anymore. It’s maintaining temperature instead of constantly trying to cool down rooms that keep heating up. Over a summer, that’s hundreds of dollars staying in your account instead of going to the electric company.
Yes, and that’s one of the biggest misconceptions about exterior roller shades. These aren’t blackout blinds that turn your patio into a dark box. The fabric is designed to block heat and UV rays while maintaining visibility.
From inside looking out, you’ll have a clear view of your yard. The fabric has an open weave that allows you to see through it easily. From outside looking in, the view is obscured—especially during daylight hours. It’s the same principle as a one-way mirror, just using fabric density instead of reflective coating.
The exact level of visibility depends on which fabric openness you choose. A 5% openness fabric blocks more light and provides more privacy than a 10% openness fabric. We walk through those options during your consultation so you can see the actual difference. Most Govalle homeowners choose something in the middle—enough privacy to feel comfortable, enough visibility to enjoy their outdoor views.
The motors are built for outdoor use and rated for temperature extremes. They’re sealed units that handle humidity, heat, and cold without issue. We’ve installed hundreds of motorized systems across the Austin area, and motor failure is rare when the system is installed correctly.
The bigger concern is usually wind. Exterior roller shades shouldn’t stay down during high winds—the fabric can catch wind like a sail and damage the system. Most motorized setups include wind sensors that automatically retract the shades when gusts hit a certain speed. You can also retract them manually through your app if you see a storm coming.
Battery life on motorized systems is solid. You’re looking at thousands of cycles before needing a replacement, and the batteries are rechargeable. Some homeowners opt for hardwired systems that don’t use batteries at all. Both options work well in Govalle’s climate. The 7-year motor warranty covers you either way, so if something does fail, you’re not paying out of pocket to fix it.
Solar screens are fixed mesh panels that mount directly to your window frames. They stay in place year-round and can’t be raised or lowered. Exterior roller shades are retractable systems that you control—up when you want light and views, down when you want heat protection and privacy.
Both block UV rays and reduce heat. Solar screens are less expensive upfront because they’re simpler to install. But you’re stuck with them. If you want full sunlight on a winter morning, you can’t get it. If you want an unobstructed view for a backyard event, you’re out of luck.
Outdoor roller shades give you flexibility. You control when they’re deployed and when they’re not. That matters in Austin, where weather can shift dramatically between seasons. Winter sun is actually pleasant and helps warm your home naturally. Summer sun is brutal and needs to be blocked. With exterior roller shades, you get both options instead of being locked into one permanent setup.
Most single-patio installations take 3-4 hours from start to finish. That includes mounting the hardware, installing the roller shade system, testing the operation, and walking you through how everything works.
Larger projects take longer. If you’re covering multiple outdoor spaces or installing shades on second-story openings, plan for a full day. Complex installations where we’re working around existing structures or dealing with unusual mounting surfaces can add time as well.
We don’t rush installations. Taking extra time to ensure proper mounting and smooth operation is worth it. A system that’s installed correctly will last years longer than one that’s rushed. In Govalle’s housing market, where homes are investments worth $450K to over $1 million, doing it right the first time matters. You’re not paying for speed—you’re paying for a system that works reliably every time you use it.
Maintenance is minimal. The fabric needs occasional cleaning—usually just hosing it down or wiping it with a damp cloth. Austin’s dust and pollen will accumulate over time, but the fabric is designed to handle it. You’re not dealing with delicate material that requires special treatment.
Motorized systems should be cycled occasionally if you’re not using them regularly. Running the shades up and down once a month keeps the motor and fabric in good working condition. It’s a 30-second task, not a major maintenance routine.
The mounting hardware is built to last. We use stainless steel components that resist rust and corrosion. In Texas humidity, that matters. Cheaper systems use hardware that degrades within a few years. Ours doesn’t. Annual inspections aren’t necessary unless you notice an issue. If the shades are operating smoothly and the fabric looks good, you’re fine. If something seems off, call us and we’ll take a look.
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