Hear from Our Customers
Your AC runs constantly. Your patio furniture is fading. And you’re cutting outdoor time short because the sun makes it unbearable.
Exterior roller shades block 86-99% of UV rays and reduce solar heat gain by up to 94%. That translates to 20-30% lower energy bills and outdoor spaces you can actually use past 10 AM. The shade drops surface temperatures by 15-20 degrees, which means your AC isn’t fighting a losing battle all afternoon.
You’re not just covering windows. You’re reclaiming square footage you paid for and protecting furniture, flooring, and artwork from sun damage that costs thousands to replace. Outdoor patio blinds give you control over privacy, light, and temperature without blocking your view or making spaces feel closed off.
We bring over 10 years of construction and installation experience to every job. A Plus Shutters & Shades is a branch of A Plus Home Remodel, and we’ve spent that time learning what works in Central Texas heat and what doesn’t.
Sweetbriar’s mix of midcentury ranchers and newer condos means every install is different. We measure precisely, recommend materials that hold up to UV and temperature swings, and install motorized systems that won’t fail when you need them. Whether you own one of those stacked-stone ranchers on the west side or rent a newer townhouse near 1st Street, you’re getting shades built for your specific windows and your specific goals.
You schedule a consultation. We come to your home in Sweetbriar, measure your windows or patio openings, and talk through what you’re trying to solve—heat, privacy, glare, or all three.
We show you fabric options with different openness ratings. A 3% openness blocks more light and heat. A 10-15% openness preserves your view while still cutting UV. If you want blackout roller shades for complete darkness, we walk through those too. You pick the material, the color, and whether you want manual or motorized operation.
Once you approve the quote, we order your custom exterior roller shades. Most orders arrive within two weeks. We schedule installation at a time that works for you, and our team handles the entire setup—mounting, wiring for motorized systems, and testing operation. If you’re adding smart home integration with Alexa or Google Assistant, we configure that before we leave. The whole process takes a few hours depending on how many windows you’re covering.
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Every exterior roller shade we install is custom-measured for your specific openings. You’re not getting stock sizes that leave gaps where heat and light pour through.
You choose from fabrics that block 86-99% of UV rays, with openness ratings that let you control how much light and view you keep. Solar shades are popular for patios and large windows because they cut heat without making spaces feel dark. Blackout blinds for windows work better for bedrooms or media rooms where you want complete light control.
Motorized options come with one-touch controls, wireless wall switches, and app integration. You can set schedules so your outdoor shade blinds drop automatically when the sun hits a certain angle, or you can control them by voice if you’re using Alexa or Google. Manual systems cost less upfront and still give you full control over light and temperature—you just operate them with a pull cord or crank.
In Sweetbriar’s climate, durability matters. We use weather-resistant materials that handle UV exposure and temperature swings without warping, fading, or losing tension. Your shades stay functional through Texas summers and the occasional freeze.
Exterior roller shades typically cut energy bills by 20-30% during Texas summers. They block solar heat before it enters your home, which means your AC isn’t working overtime to cool down rooms that are already overheated.
The savings depend on how many windows you cover and how much direct sun exposure you’re dealing with. South and west-facing windows in Sweetbriar get hammered all afternoon, and that’s where you’ll see the biggest impact. Blocking 94% of solar heat gain on those windows alone can drop your cooling costs significantly.
Manual systems cost about one-tenth the price of motorized zipper track systems, so your upfront investment is lower. But even with motorized shades, most homeowners see a return within a few years just from energy savings. You’re also protecting furniture, flooring, and artwork from UV damage, which saves you replacement costs down the road.
Solar shades block UV rays and heat while still letting you see outside. They come in different openness ratings—3% blocks more light, 10-15% preserves more of your view. You get heat and glare reduction without making your space feel closed off.
Blackout roller shades block 100% of light. They’re better for bedrooms, media rooms, or any space where you want complete darkness and privacy. They also provide maximum insulation, which helps with both heat and cold.
For patios and outdoor living areas in Sweetbriar, most people go with solar shades because you still get airflow and visibility. For windows on the interior side, blackout options make more sense if you’re trying to sleep past sunrise or keep a room cool during peak heat hours. We walk through both options during the consultation so you’re choosing based on what actually works for how you use each space.
Yes, but only if they’re installed correctly. Motorized outdoor shades need precise engineering to handle wind, UV exposure, and temperature swings. That’s why professional installation matters—DIY setups often fail because the mounting isn’t secure or the motor isn’t rated for outdoor use.
We use motors designed for Texas weather. They’re energy-efficient, and they’re built to operate in high heat without overheating or losing power. The fabrics we install are UV-resistant and won’t degrade after a few seasons of sun exposure.
During storms, you can retract motorized shades with one touch or set them to retract automatically based on wind sensors. That protects the fabric and the mechanism from damage. Manual systems give you the same protection—you just have to operate them yourself. Either way, you’re getting outdoor roller shades that are built to last, not cheap versions that need replacing every couple of years.
Yes. Most motorized systems we install integrate with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. You can control your outdoor patio blinds by voice, through an app, or with a wireless remote.
You can also set schedules. If the sun hits your west-facing patio every day at 3 PM, you can program your shades to drop automatically. If you’re out of town, you can lower them remotely to keep your home cooler and more secure.
Smart home integration adds convenience, but it’s not required. You can operate motorized shades with a simple wall switch or remote if you don’t want app control. And manual exterior roller shades still give you full control over light, heat, and privacy—you’re just pulling a cord instead of tapping a button. We configure whatever setup makes sense for how you actually live.
Installation usually takes a few hours depending on how many windows or openings you’re covering. A single patio door might take 30-45 minutes. A full outdoor living area with multiple large openings could take half a day.
The timeline starts with a consultation where we measure and discuss options. Once you approve the quote, we order your custom shades. Most orders arrive within two weeks. Then we schedule installation at a time that works for you.
For motorized systems, we handle all the wiring and programming before we leave. If you’re adding smart home integration, we test that too. You’re not left with a half-finished setup or instructions to figure out on your own. By the time we’re done, your exterior window blinds are fully operational and ready to use.
It depends on how long you’re staying and whether your landlord allows modifications. About 75% of Sweetbriar residents rent, so this comes up often.
If you’re in a newer condo or townhouse with big windows and no existing shade coverage, exterior roller shades can make a huge difference in comfort and energy costs. Some landlords will approve the install if it adds value to the property. Others won’t allow permanent mounting.
Temporary or removable options exist, but they don’t perform as well as professionally installed systems. If you’re planning to stay for a few years and your landlord approves, the energy savings and usability of your outdoor space can justify the cost. If you’re moving soon or can’t get approval, interior shades or portable solutions might make more sense. We can walk through what’s realistic during the consultation based on your specific situation.
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