How to Choose the Right External Shade Feature For Your Home

An external shade feature can help to keep the home's interior cool and comfortable no matter the temperature outside, and can also protect the windows from damage during a storm. External shade features also won't interfere with your home's interior decor, so you don't need to worry about changing your window treatments every time you buy a new furniture pieces. When you're ready to choose an external shade feature for your home, note a few tips to remember, and a few pros and cons of each of your choices, so you're sure to get a feature that will work well for your home.

Awnings

The advantage of very large awnings is that they provide shade for the deck or patio outside your home, not just for the windows, so you can set up your outdoor furniture under the awning and enjoy some shade during summertime. Stationary awnings also don't need to be opened or closed, so you can have them installed and not worry about maintaining tracks, motors, and the like. Oversized, colourful awnings can also provide some style and personality to your home's exterior.

External blinds

External blinds have the advantage of allowing you to control their position, so you can open and close them as much as needed for the desired shade in the home. Their compact size also won't interfere with the home's exterior, if you want window treatments that are unobtrusive. Thick, weather-resistant blinds can help to insulate the home's interior, as they'll block heat, cold, cold winds, and other inclement weather. Blackout blinds are good for those who suffer from migraines, as they can block out all light from the outside. However, blinds may not provide much protection against damage to the windows in cases of very strong storms, hail, and the like.

Shade sails

Shade sails, like awnings, provide shade for an outdoor deck or patio area. However, to provide shade for windows, they would need to be placed very close to the home and angled in such a way that they actually block sunlight to the windows. This might obstruct your view when you're outside on the patio or deck. Shade sails are also very visible, so they may create a cluttered look to the outdoor space, as opposed to blinds or shades, which sit flush against the home. Because of the shape of shade sails, they may also let some sunlight into the home even when angled properly, so they're not the best choice for those who may want complete blockage of sunlight.


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