Hear from Our Customers
Right now, your patio probably sits empty most of the day. The sun beats down, the furniture gets too hot to touch, and stepping outside feels like walking into an oven. That’s not how outdoor living should work.
Exterior roller shades block the sun before it reaches your windows and outdoor spaces. The difference is immediate—up to 30 degrees cooler on your patio, which means you can actually sit out there without sweating through your shirt. Your furniture stops fading. Your sliding glass doors stop turning into heat magnets that make your AC work overtime.
These aren’t the flimsy roll-up blinds you see sagging after one season. We’re talking about outdoor shade blinds built specifically for Texas weather—fabrics that handle the heat, the occasional storm, and the UV exposure that destroys cheaper materials. You get shade when you need it, and when you don’t, they roll up and disappear. Motorized options mean you’re not wrestling with cords or cranks every time the sun shifts.
A Plus Shutters & Shades has spent over ten years in construction and window treatments across the Fort Worth area. We’re not a franchise that showed up last year—we’re a branch of A Plus Home Remodel, and we’ve been helping Mansfield homeowners deal with heat, privacy, and energy costs since before motorized shades were standard.
We know what works in this climate because we live here too. We’ve seen what holds up and what falls apart after one summer. That’s why we only install outdoor patio blinds that are custom-made to your exact measurements and built to handle Texas conditions. Our installers have been with us for years, not weeks, and they know how to mount these systems so they actually work the way they’re supposed to.
Mansfield homeowners deal with intense sun exposure, especially on west-facing patios and porches. We get that, and we build every installation around your specific situation—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
First, we come to your home in Mansfield and measure everything. Not just the width of your patio—we’re looking at sun angles, mounting surfaces, clearance issues, and how you actually use the space. This takes about 30 minutes, and you’ll leave the conversation knowing exactly what your options are and what it’ll cost.
Once you approve the plan, we order your custom exterior roller shades. These are made to your exact specs—size, fabric opacity, color, manual or motorized operation. Manufacturing typically takes two to three weeks, and we’ll give you a clear timeline upfront.
Installation day is straightforward. Our crew shows up with everything needed to mount the system properly—no surprises, no “we’ll have to come back for that.” We secure the brackets, mount the roller mechanism, install the fabric, and test the operation. If you went with motorized outdoor blinds, we program the controls and show you how to use them. Most installations finish in a few hours, and you’re using your shades the same day.
Ready to get started?
Every exterior roller shade we install is custom-manufactured in the USA to fit your exact opening. You’re not getting stock sizes that “sort of” fit—you’re getting shades built specifically for your patio, porch, or pergola. We carry fabrics in different opacities, from solar shades that filter light and maintain your view to blackout roller shades that block everything when you need full coverage.
Mansfield’s climate demands materials that won’t break down under constant UV exposure and temperature swings. The fabrics we use are designed to resist fading, tearing, and weather damage. They also allow airflow, so you’re not trapping heat behind the shade—air circulates while the sun stays out.
Motorized options are popular here because they’re convenient and they protect the fabric. Instead of manually rolling the shade up and down, you press a button or set a timer. This is especially useful for larger outdoor patio blinds or shades mounted high on second-story spaces. Manual operation is available too if you prefer a simpler system.
We handle the full installation, including mounting hardware that’s appropriate for your surface—brick, stucco, wood, or metal. Everything is tested before we leave, and you’ll know how to operate and maintain your new shades.
Exterior roller shades can drop the temperature on your patio by up to 30 degrees compared to full sun exposure. The key difference is that these shades block heat before it reaches your windows and living space, which is far more effective than interior blinds that trap heat between the glass and the fabric.
In Mansfield, where summer temperatures regularly hit the mid-90s and higher, that reduction makes your outdoor space usable during hours it would otherwise be unbearable. You’ll also see a noticeable drop in how hard your air conditioner works, especially if your patio doors face west or south. Less heat transfer through the glass means your AC isn’t fighting against solar gain all afternoon.
The exact temperature drop depends on fabric opacity, shade size, and sun exposure, but even partial shading makes a measurable difference. Most homeowners tell us they’re able to use their patios during peak heat hours for the first time in years.
Solar shades filter sunlight and reduce glare while still allowing you to see outside. They block a percentage of UV rays—usually between 90-95%—and significantly cut heat, but they don’t create complete darkness. These work well if you want shade and a view at the same time, like on a patio where you’re looking out at your yard.
Blackout roller shades block nearly all light and provide maximum privacy. These are better for spaces where you want full coverage—like a screened porch where you’re dealing with direct afternoon sun, or an outdoor area where neighbors have a clear sightline. Blackout blinds for windows also provide more insulation, which helps if you’re trying to keep heat out of an enclosed patio or sunroom.
Both types are built for outdoor use and handle Texas weather, but the choice comes down to how you use the space. If you’re unsure, we can show you samples during the consultation so you can see the difference in person.
Yes, if they’re installed correctly and built for exterior use. The motorized systems we install are designed specifically for outdoor conditions—sealed components, weather-resistant housings, and motors that handle temperature extremes. These aren’t interior motors retrofitted for outside use.
One advantage of motorized outdoor blinds is that they actually extend the life of your shades. You’re not manually pulling or cranking the fabric, which reduces wear and tear. You can also retract the shades quickly if a storm rolls in, and many systems can be programmed to do this automatically with wind sensors.
Maintenance is minimal. The motors are built to last for years, and if something does go wrong, the components are replaceable without tearing out the entire system. Most Mansfield homeowners who go motorized don’t regret it—the convenience factor is significant, especially if you have multiple shades or large openings that would be awkward to operate manually.
From the day you approve the order to installation, expect about two to three weeks. That’s the typical manufacturing time for custom outdoor roller shades, since each one is built to your exact measurements and specifications. We don’t stock pre-made sizes—everything is made to order.
The actual installation usually takes a few hours, depending on how many shades you’re having installed and the complexity of the mounting. A single patio door shade might be done in under two hours. A full outdoor living area with multiple large openings could take half a day. We’ll give you a clear timeframe when we schedule the install.
If you’re on a tight deadline—like you’re hosting an event or trying to finish before summer heat peaks—let us know during the consultation. We can sometimes expedite orders, though custom manufacturing does have limits. Planning a few weeks ahead is the best way to avoid delays.
Most patio structures can accommodate exterior roller shades, but the mounting method depends on what you’re working with. We install on covered patios, pergolas, screened porches, and even freestanding structures. The key is having a solid surface to anchor the mounting brackets—wood beams, metal frames, brick, or stucco all work.
If your patio has an unusual setup or there’s no overhead structure, we can sometimes mount shades on posts or use a cable-guided system that keeps the fabric stable in wind. During the on-site consultation, we’ll assess your specific situation and recommend the best approach. Some structures need reinforcement before installation, and we’ll tell you upfront if that’s the case.
Mansfield homes have a mix of patio styles—some with full roofs, some with open pergolas, some with no cover at all. We’ve handled all of them, so even if your setup seems tricky, there’s usually a solution that works.
Not really. Exterior roller shades are low-maintenance by design, especially compared to other outdoor shade options. The fabric is made to resist dirt, mildew, and UV damage, so it doesn’t require constant cleaning. Most homeowners hose them down once or twice a year to remove dust and pollen, and that’s about it.
If you have motorized shades, there’s no lubrication or mechanical upkeep needed—the motors are sealed and designed to run for years without service. Manual shades might need occasional checking to make sure the crank or pull mechanism is operating smoothly, but that’s a quick visual inspection, not a maintenance project.
The biggest thing is retracting the shades during severe storms if you have manual operation. High winds can stress the fabric if it’s fully extended, though motorized systems with wind sensors handle this automatically. Beyond that, these shades are built to sit outside year-round in Texas heat, humidity, and sun without breaking down.
Local Resources
