Hear from Our Customers
Your AC stops running nonstop. That’s the first thing you’ll notice. Exterior roller shades block heat before it ever reaches your glass, which means your cooling system isn’t fighting a losing battle all summer long. Most homeowners see their energy bills drop within the first month.
Your outdoor spaces become usable again. Right now, your patio probably sits empty most afternoons because it’s just too hot or too bright. Outdoor patio blinds change that by creating actual shade where you need it, cutting glare without killing your view.
Your furniture stops fading. UV rays are brutal on anything near a window. Blackout roller shades block up to 90% of those rays, which means your couch, your floors, and your curtains stay looking newer, longer. You’re not replacing things as often because the sun isn’t cooking them from the inside out.
We’re a branch of A Plus Home Remodel, which means we’ve been working on homes in the Hornsby Bend area for over a decade. We’re not just shade installers—we understand how buildings work, how Texas weather affects materials, and how to mount outdoor shade blinds on stucco, brick, or wood without creating problems down the road.
We manufacture our manual outdoor roller shades right here in Austin. That cuts out shipping delays and middleman markups, which is why our pricing tends to surprise people. We also run a showroom where you can see samples, test motorized options, and talk through what actually makes sense for your home.
Hornsby Bend homeowners deal with intense sun exposure and unpredictable storms rolling in from the Gulf. We spec every installation with that in mind—using hardware and fabrics that hold up to wind, rain, and relentless UV without warping or fading.
It starts with a free consultation at your property. We measure the openings, check your mounting surfaces, and show you fabric samples so you can see the difference between 5% openness and 10% openness. Most people don’t realize how much that percentage affects heat, light, and visibility until they see it in person.
Once you pick your style and features—manual or motorized, color, openness factor—we order everything custom-sized. If you’re going motorized, we’ll talk through whether you want remote control, smartphone integration, or voice activation through Alexa or Google Assistant. The Somfy TaHoma system is popular because it ties into other smart home devices.
Installation day is straightforward. Our team brings the right mounting hardware for your surface type, whether that’s stucco, stone, or wood. We level everything, secure the brackets, mount the roller shade, and test the operation before we leave. For motorized outdoor shades, we program the controls and walk you through how to use them. Most installs are done in a few hours.
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Every exterior roller shade we install is custom-measured for your specific opening. That means no gaps on the sides where heat and light sneak through. You choose the fabric openness based on what matters more to you—maximum heat block or preserving your view. Tighter weaves block more sun but reduce visibility. Looser weaves let you see out while still cutting glare and UV.
Motorization is optional but worth considering if you have large shades or multiple windows. Raising and lowering a 12-foot patio shade manually gets old fast. With motorized options, you control everything from your phone or a wall switch. You can also set schedules so your shades lower automatically during peak sun hours and raise when it cools off.
In Hornsby Bend, wind is a real consideration. We use weather-resistant fabrics and reinforced mounting systems that handle gusts without tearing or pulling loose. These aren’t the flimsy roll-up blinds you see at big-box stores. They’re built to stay functional through Texas storms, summer heat, and years of daily use.
You also get options for blackout roller shades if you need full light control for media rooms, bedrooms, or covered patios where you want total darkness. These block nearly 100% of light and provide extra insulation, which helps even more with energy costs.
Most homeowners see a 20-30% reduction in cooling costs after installing exterior roller shades on sun-facing windows. The reason it works so well is because you’re blocking heat before it hits the glass. Once heat gets through your windows, your AC has to work overtime to remove it. Stopping it outside is way more efficient.
The exact savings depend on how many windows you cover and which direction they face. South and west-facing windows get hammered by afternoon sun in Hornsby Bend, so those are the highest-impact areas. If you shade those openings with outdoor roller shades, your AC won’t cycle as often, and your indoor temperature stays more stable.
Some people also notice their HVAC system lasts longer because it’s not running constantly. Less wear means fewer repairs and a longer lifespan for expensive equipment. That’s not something most shade companies talk about, but it’s a real secondary benefit.
Yes, and it’s one of the most common installations we do in this area. Stucco requires specific mounting techniques to avoid cracking or creating water intrusion points. We use masonry anchors and seal every penetration to keep moisture out.
The key is finding solid backing behind the stucco. If we’re mounting above a window or door, there’s usually a header we can anchor into. For side mounts, we locate studs or use toggle bolts rated for the weight of the shade and the wind load it’ll experience. Cheap installations skip this step and just screw into stucco, which fails as soon as wind picks up.
We also make sure the mounting brackets are level and properly spaced so the roller shade operates smoothly. If the brackets are even slightly off, the fabric can bunch or wear unevenly. Our construction background means we don’t cut corners on the structural side—it’s not just about making it look good, it’s about making it last.
Solar shades filter light and block UV rays while still letting you see outside. They come in different openness percentages—usually between 1% and 14%. A 5% openness shade blocks 95% of UV and heat but still gives you a view. The tighter the weave, the more heat and light it blocks, but the less you can see through it.
Blackout roller shades block nearly 100% of light. You can’t see through them at all. They’re what you’d use for bedrooms, media rooms, or covered patios where you want complete darkness and privacy. They also provide better insulation than solar shades because there’s no light or heat getting through.
For most outdoor applications in Hornsby Bend, solar shades make more sense. You get serious heat reduction and UV protection without losing your view of the yard or street. Blackout shades are better for interior windows or specific situations where you need total light control. We usually walk through your goals during the consultation so you’re not guessing which type fits your situation.
Quality exterior roller shades typically last 10-15 years in Texas, sometimes longer if they’re maintained. The fabrics we use are designed for continuous UV exposure, high heat, and moisture. Cheaper materials start breaking down after a few years—you’ll see fading, fraying, or the fabric becoming brittle.
The hardware matters just as much as the fabric. We use corrosion-resistant components because humidity and rain will destroy standard steel parts over time. The roller mechanism needs to be sealed against dust and moisture, and the mounting brackets need to handle wind load without bending or pulling loose.
Motorized outdoor shades have a longer functional life than you’d expect. The Somfy motors we install are rated for tens of thousands of cycles, which translates to years of daily use. The main thing that shortens lifespan is improper installation—if the shade isn’t level or the fabric rubs against something, it’ll wear out faster. That’s why we’re careful about measurements and mounting from the start.
Most motorized outdoor shades won’t operate during a power outage unless they have a battery backup. The standard setup runs on household power, so if the grid goes down, the motor won’t respond to controls. You can manually override some models, but it’s not always easy depending on how the system is installed.
If power reliability is a concern, you can add a battery backup to the motor. This keeps the shades functional during outages and also makes installation easier in locations where running electrical wiring is difficult. Battery-powered motors need recharging every few months depending on how often you use the shades, but they give you full control even when the power’s out.
For most homeowners in Hornsby Bend, standard wired motors work fine. Outages are usually short, and you’re not adjusting your exterior roller shades constantly throughout the day anyway. But if you have medical equipment that requires climate control or you just want the peace of mind, battery backup is worth discussing during your consultation.
Absolutely. UV rays are what cause fading, cracking, and deterioration on outdoor furniture, cushions, and even composite decking. Exterior roller shades block up to 90% of UV radiation when they’re down, which dramatically slows that damage. Your furniture stays vibrant longer, and materials like wood and fabric don’t dry out and crack as quickly.
The protection extends to anything under the covered area—grills, planters, rugs, even painted surfaces. If you’ve noticed your patio furniture looking worn after just a season or two, it’s usually because the Texas sun is relentless. Outdoor patio blinds create a barrier that filters the harshest rays while still allowing airflow and visibility.
This also applies to indoor furniture near large windows. If you have a sunroom or living room with floor-to-ceiling glass, exterior window blinds prevent that afternoon sun from bleaching your couch, fading your floors, or overheating the room. It’s one of those things people don’t think about until they notice their furniture looks five years older than it should.
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