Hear from Our Customers
Your AC stops running constantly. That’s the first thing most people notice after installing outdoor roller shades on their south and west-facing windows.
Texas summers are brutal in Montopolis. When the sun beats down on your windows all afternoon, your air conditioner works overtime just to keep up. Exterior window blinds stop that heat before it ever hits the glass, which means your home stays cooler without cranking the thermostat down to 68.
Your furniture stops fading. Your energy bills drop. And if you go with blackout roller shades, you can actually sleep past sunrise without your bedroom turning into a greenhouse by 7 AM.
You also get real privacy without closing yourself off completely. Outdoor shade blinds let you enjoy your patio or keep your windows open without feeling like you’re on display for the whole neighborhood. And if you choose motorized options, you can adjust everything from your phone without walking around the house all day.
A Plus Shutters & Shades has spent the last ten years helping homeowners across the greater Austin area figure out window treatments that actually work. We’re not a franchise. We’re local, and we carry Texas-made products because they’re built for this climate.
Montopolis is changing fast. New builds are going up, older homes are getting renovated, and people are investing in upgrades that make sense long-term. We’ve worked with enough homeowners near the airport and along Lady Bird Lake to know what holds up and what doesn’t when you’re dealing with heat, storms, and sun exposure year-round.
We run a showroom where you can see the materials, test the motorization, and talk through what fits your windows and your budget. No pressure, just straight answers.
You call or stop by the showroom. We talk through what you’re dealing with: heat, glare, privacy, energy bills, or all of the above. We measure your windows and walk you through material options, colors, and whether you want manual or motorized operation.
Once you pick what works, we custom-build your exterior roller shades to fit your exact window dimensions. No generic sizing. Everything’s made to order, so it fits right the first time.
Installation usually takes a few hours depending on how many windows we’re covering. We mount the shades on the outside of your home, test the operation, and show you how to use them. If you went with smart controls, we’ll sync everything to your phone or voice assistant before we leave.
After that, you’re set. Exterior shades are low maintenance. A quick wipe-down once in a while is all they need. And if anything ever goes wrong, we warranty our work so you’re not stuck troubleshooting on your own.
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Every exterior roller shade we install is custom-measured and built for your home. You’re not buying something off the shelf. You’re getting shades that fit your windows exactly, which matters when you’re trying to block heat and light.
You can choose blackout materials if you need total darkness, or go with solar screens that block UV rays but still let you see outside. Both options reduce heat. Both protect your furniture. It just depends on how much light control you want.
Motorization is available on everything. That means remote control, app control, or voice control through Alexa or Google. You can set schedules so your shades lower automatically when the sun hits, or raise them when you get home. It’s especially useful for windows that are hard to reach or if you’ve got a lot of glass on one side of the house.
Montopolis homes deal with intense sun exposure, especially properties near the airport or facing west toward downtown Austin. Exterior shades are one of the most effective ways to drop your indoor temperature without spending more on cooling. And because they’re mounted outside, they stop the heat before it radiates through your windows, which is way more efficient than interior blinds.
Most homeowners see a noticeable drop in their cooling bills during summer, especially if you’re covering windows that get direct afternoon sun. Exterior shades block heat before it enters your home, which is far more effective than interior blinds or curtains.
The exact savings depend on how much glass you have, which direction your windows face, and how often you run your AC. But in Montopolis, where summer temps regularly hit the high 90s and low 100s, blocking that heat at the source makes a real difference. Your AC doesn’t have to work as hard, and your home stays more comfortable without constantly adjusting the thermostat.
If you add motorization and set your shades to lower automatically during peak sun hours, you’re maximizing efficiency without thinking about it. Over time, that adds up.
Yes, if they’re installed correctly and built with durable materials. We use exterior-grade fabrics and hardware designed to handle wind, rain, and sun exposure. These aren’t the same as indoor roller shades. They’re engineered for outdoor conditions.
That said, if a severe storm or hurricane is coming, it’s smart to raise your shades and secure them. While they’re built tough, extremely high winds can damage any exterior fixture. Most of our customers in Montopolis haven’t had issues with typical Texas thunderstorms, but we always recommend retracting motorized shades if you’re expecting something serious.
The mounting system matters too. We anchor everything properly so the shades stay secure under normal weather conditions. Cheap installations or DIY jobs are where you see problems. When it’s done right, exterior shades last for years without needing repairs.
Blackout roller shades block 100% of light. When they’re down, you can’t see in or out, and the room goes completely dark. They’re ideal for bedrooms, media rooms, or any space where you want total light control and privacy.
Solar screens block UV rays and heat but still let you see outside. They reduce glare and protect your furniture from fading, but they don’t create full darkness. Most people use solar screens on living room or kitchen windows where they want to keep the view but cut down on heat and sun damage.
Both options reduce energy costs. Both are available as exterior roller shades. It just depends on whether you need complete blackout capability or prefer filtered light with visibility. Some homeowners mix both types depending on the room.
Motorized outdoor roller shades connect to your home’s WiFi and integrate with most smart home platforms. You can control them through an app on your phone, or link them to Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri for voice control.
The real advantage is automation. You can program your shades to lower when the sun hits a certain angle, or raise them at sunset. You can create schedules so they adjust throughout the day without you touching anything. And if you’re away from home, you can still control them remotely, which is useful for security or if you forgot to lower them before a hot afternoon.
Setup is straightforward. We handle the installation and sync everything to your system before we leave. If you ever need to adjust settings or add new schedules, the app walks you through it. Most people get the hang of it in a few minutes.
No. They’re one of the lowest-maintenance window treatments you can install. The fabric is designed for outdoor use, so it resists dirt, moisture, and UV damage without breaking down.
Most homeowners just wipe them down with a damp cloth once or twice a year to remove dust or pollen. If you have motorized shades, the mechanisms are sealed and protected from the elements, so there’s no regular upkeep needed there either.
The only thing to watch for is debris buildup around the mounting area, especially if you have trees nearby. A quick check every few months keeps everything running smoothly. Beyond that, exterior roller shades are built to last without constant attention.
Installation usually takes a few hours depending on how many windows we’re covering. For a typical home with four to six windows, expect around half a day. Larger projects with motorization or complex window shapes might take longer.
We measure everything during the initial consultation, then custom-build your shades to fit. Once they’re ready, we schedule the installation at a time that works for you. The actual mounting process is straightforward: we secure the brackets, attach the shades, and test the operation to make sure everything works smoothly.
If you’re adding smart controls, we’ll connect your shades to your WiFi and walk you through the app before we leave. You don’t need to be handy or tech-savvy. We handle all of it, and you’re left with shades that work exactly how you want them to.
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