Hear from Our Customers
Your air conditioner runs less. That’s the first thing most people notice after installing exterior roller shades. When you block up to 95% of UV rays before they reach your windows, your home stays cooler without cranking the thermostat down another degree.
Your furniture stops fading. The couch that cost you two grand keeps its color. Your hardwood floors don’t bleach out in the spots where afternoon sun used to pour through. Exterior window blinds do what interior treatments can’t—they stop heat and UV damage at the source.
Your outdoor space becomes usable again. Right now, your patio might be too bright or too hot to sit on during the day. Outdoor shade blinds change that. You get airflow, you get a view, and you don’t get blasted by glare every time you step outside. That’s the difference between having a patio and actually using one.
A Plus Shutters & Shades grew out of A Plus Home Remodel, a company that’s been working on homes across the DFW area for over 10 years. We didn’t start as a window treatment retailer. We started in construction, which means we understand how homes are built, how they handle Texas heat, and how to install something that actually lasts.
We’re based in Arlington and we work throughout Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, Mansfield, and Cedar Hill. Most of our products are Texas-made, which matters when you’re dealing with Texas weather. We’re not drop-shipping generic shades and hoping they hold up.
When you call us, you’re talking to people who’ve done thousands of installations. We measure, we customize, and we install it right the first time. No subcontractors. No guesswork.
First, we come to your home in Grand Prairie for a free consultation. We measure your windows, patio openings, or wherever you need shade. We’ll show you fabric samples, talk through motorized vs. manual options, and give you a quote on the spot. No pressure, no follow-up calls.
Once you’re ready to move forward, we custom-build your exterior roller shades to your exact measurements. We’re talking about outdoor shade blinds designed specifically for your space—not stock sizes that kind of fit. You pick the fabric type, the color, and whether you want remote control or smart home integration.
Then we install them. Our team handles the mounting, wiring (if you go motorized), and testing to make sure everything operates smoothly. Most installations take a few hours. You’ll know exactly when we’re coming, and we clean up when we’re done. After that, you’ve got shade that works when you need it.
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Every exterior roller shade we install is built to your specifications. That means custom width, custom drop length, and fabric that matches what you’re trying to accomplish—whether that’s blackout coverage, UV protection, or a balance between shade and visibility.
In Grand Prairie, where summer temperatures regularly hit the high 90s and UV exposure is intense year-round, the fabric you choose matters. We carry water-resistant and UV-resistant materials designed for outdoor use. These aren’t indoor blackout roller shades hung outside. They’re engineered to handle sun, wind, and rain without warping or fading.
Motorization is available on most styles, and it’s worth considering if you have multiple shades or large patio openings. You can control them with a remote, your phone, or integrate them into your smart home system. Some of our clients in Grand Prairie set their shades to lower automatically when the sun hits a certain angle. It’s one less thing to think about, and it keeps your home cooler even when you’re not there.
We also install solar screens, which are a semi-permanent option if you want something that stays in place. They’re popular for west-facing windows that take a beating every afternoon.
It depends on how many windows you cover and how much direct sun they get, but most homeowners see a noticeable drop in their energy bills. Exterior roller shades block heat before it enters your home, which is far more effective than interior blinds that trap heat between the glass and the fabric.
In Grand Prairie, where summer heat is relentless, west- and south-facing windows are the biggest culprits. If you shade those, your AC doesn’t have to work as hard during peak afternoon hours. Some of our clients report their systems run 20-30% less during the hottest months. That adds up over a Texas summer.
The key is blocking UV rays at the source. When you stop 90-95% of the sun’s energy before it hits your windows, your indoor temperature stays more stable. Your AC cycles less, and you’re not constantly adjusting the thermostat to stay comfortable.
Exterior roller shades retract. Solar screens don’t. That’s the main difference, and it matters depending on how you use your space.
Roller shades give you control. You can lower them when the sun’s brutal and raise them when you want a clear view or more natural light. They’re ideal for patios, large windows, or any area where you want flexibility. Most people choose motorized options so they can adjust them throughout the day without getting up.
Solar screens are fixed. Once they’re installed, they stay in place. They’re made from mesh fabric that blocks UV rays and reduces heat, but you still get airflow and some visibility. They’re a good fit for windows that get constant sun exposure and where you don’t need the view to change. They’re also typically more affordable since there’s no operating mechanism.
Both work well in Grand Prairie’s climate. It just comes down to whether you want something adjustable or something that’s always doing its job in the background.
Yes, but most people don’t need full blackout for exterior applications. Blackout roller shades are designed to block 100% of light, which is great for bedrooms or media rooms. For outdoor use, you usually want something that blocks heat and UV rays but still allows some visibility and airflow.
That said, if you’re covering a patio or porch and you want complete privacy and darkness—maybe for an outdoor sleeping area or a covered space you use as a secondary living room—we can install blackout-grade outdoor roller shades. The fabric is thicker and treated to handle weather exposure.
For most Grand Prairie homes, a high-grade solar fabric is the better choice. It stops 90-95% of UV rays, cuts glare, and keeps your space cooler without making it feel like you’re sitting in a cave. You still get a view, and you still get airflow. If you’re not sure which direction to go, we’ll walk you through the options during your consultation.
With quality materials and proper installation, you’re looking at 10-15 years, sometimes longer. The fabrics we use are UV-resistant and water-resistant, which means they’re built to handle the kind of punishment Texas throws at them—intense sun, sudden storms, high winds, and temperature swings.
The hardware matters just as much as the fabric. Cheap mounting brackets or low-grade motors fail faster, especially when they’re exposed to the elements. We use commercial-grade components because we’ve seen what happens when someone tries to save money on the install. It doesn’t last.
In Grand Prairie, the biggest wear factor is UV exposure. That’s why we don’t use indoor-grade materials for outdoor applications. The fabrics we install are specifically engineered for prolonged sun exposure. They won’t fade, crack, or lose their shape after a few seasons. And if something does go wrong—motor issue, fabric tear, whatever—we’re local and we’ll take care of it.
Not really. Once they’re installed, motorized outdoor roller shades are pretty low-maintenance. The motors we use are designed for outdoor conditions, so they’re sealed against moisture and dust. You’re not going to be out there oiling gears or replacing parts every season.
Most maintenance comes down to keeping the fabric clean. Depending on how much pollen, dust, or debris your area gets, you might want to hose them down or wipe them off a few times a year. That’s it. The fabric is durable enough to handle a rinse without damage.
If you go with smart home integration, you might need to update the app or reconnect to Wi-Fi occasionally, but that’s standard for any connected device. The motors themselves are reliable. We’ve installed hundreds of motorized systems across Grand Prairie and the surrounding area, and service calls are rare. When something does need attention, it’s usually a quick fix—battery replacement on a remote or recalibrating a sensor.
Almost always, yes. We’ve installed outdoor shade blinds on covered patios, open decks, pergolas, large window banks, and even commercial storefronts. As long as there’s a solid mounting surface—wood, brick, stucco, metal—we can make it work.
The trickiest installs are usually older homes where the structure wasn’t originally designed for shade systems. In those cases, we might need to add reinforcement or use specialized mounting brackets. But that’s rare, and we’ll know during the initial consultation whether any extra work is needed.
For unusually wide openings, we sometimes recommend multiple shades instead of one oversized unit. It’s more reliable, easier to operate, and gives you more control over how much coverage you want at any given time. We’ll measure everything during the free consultation and walk you through the best setup for your space. If there’s a limitation, we’ll tell you upfront—not after you’ve already committed.
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