Your outdoor living area is an extension of your home and an oasis to relax and entertain. Upgrading your patio, balcony, or deck can completely transform the space. Installing exterior shutters or blinds is one of the best ways to enhance your outdoor area. They provide shade, privacy, and protection while adding stylish design elements. Be sure to visit Ovesco to find out more about gas struts and hardware supplies.
Benefits of Exterior Shutters and Blinds
Shutters and blinds tailored for outdoor spaces offer many advantages over a standard awning or canopy. Consider these benefits when planning upgrades:
Protection from Weather and UV Rays
Shutters and blinds protect outdoor furnishings, floors, and people from damaging ultraviolet rays. Fabrics like acrylic block UV rays to prevent fading and wear. Aluminium shutters are durable and can withstand wind, rain, and intense sunlight. Both options provide relief from extreme heat on sunny days.
Privacy and Seclusion
Add a sense of seclusion by installing shutters or blinds on balconies or patios visible from other units or the street. With the ability to tilt slats and completely close blinds, you control visibility from the outside. Retractable screens also allow fresh air flow when desired.
Aesthetic Appeal
The right exterior blinds or shutters complement your home’s architecture and design scheme. Choose colours and materials like wood or aluminium that coordinate with existing elements. Add stylish hardware in black, brass, or chrome. Outdoor blinds give a sleek, modern look, while shutters offer a more traditional style.
Flexible Shading
Movable exterior blinds allow you to adjust sunlight as needed throughout the day. Control light levels and block glare at specific times. Retract blinds to let in the evening sun or when more light is desired. Outdoor shutters tilt, open, close, fold, and slide to customise shading.
Air Circulation
Unlike fixed covers, shutters and blinds don’t obstruct airflow. Open windows and blinds on breezy days to keep fresh air circulating. Outdoor shutters include hinged and bi-fold options that allow air to pass through when available.
Noise Reduction
Shutters muffled sounds from nearby traffic, neighbours, and other exterior noise. With shutters closed, the outdoor area becomes more peaceful and secluded. The density of shutter and blind materials helps absorb and block unwanted sounds.
Popular Types of Exterior Shutters and Blinds
There are several varieties of shutters and blinds well-suited for outdoor installation. Consider the benefits of each when deciding what’s best for your space:
Aluminum Shutters
Durable aluminium shutters withstand sun, wind, and rain. They come in a range of colours and offer complete control of light. Aluminium shutters can be fixed, hinged, bi-fold, or sliding to accommodate different spaces. These are an excellent choice for protection and privacy.
Wood Shutters
For a natural look, wood shutters add warmth and texture. Basswood shutters offer durability outdoors. Real wood composite shutters blend the appearance of wood with engineered materials. Add decorative hardware to wood shutters for visual interest. They give a timeless, traditional look.
Polyresin Shutters
Polyresin is a composite material that combines plastic resin with wood fibre. It provides the look of wood with added durability and fade resistance. Polyresin shutters are more flexible than natural wood and resist weather damage. This makes them ideal for the outdoors.
Solar Screens
Transparent solar screen fabrics attach to window and door frames to block heat and UV light. This type of mesh screening comes in light, medium, and dark shades. Solar screens are affordable, easy to install, and can be rolled up when unnecessary.
Exterior Roller Blinds
These fabric blinds easily roll up and down in tracks along the sides of doors or pergolas. They’re made of durable, weather-resistant materials like acrylic or polyester. Roller blinds operate with cords, motors, or remote controls for convenience. Screens can also attach to the bottoms to allow airflow.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical fabric slats hang from horizontal tracks installed above doors, windows, or porches. The streamlined panels stack neatly to the side when open. Pivoting the slats adjusts shading incrementally. These blinds have a contemporary style.
Awnings and Canopies
Fixed aluminium awnings, canopies, and pergolas provide overhead shelter. Mesh screen fabric or acrylic sheeting can attach to the structures to customise sunlight exposure. Side screens also create more enclosed spaces. Awnings and canopies work well over seating areas, grills, and dining spaces.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Outdoor Blinds and Shutters
With many high-performing options to transform your patio or balcony, think about these factors as you shop:
Type of Material
Consider aluminium, wood, polyresin, solar screen mesh, acrylic, or polyester fabric. The material affects durability, lifespan, and appearance. Make sure it can withstand sun, wind, and moisture exposure.
Manual or Motorized
Blinds and shutters come in manual and motorised styles. Cordless remote operation is convenient but costs more. For hard-to-reach places, motorised makes sense, while a manual crank or pull cord might suffice in more accessible locations.
The Right Amount of Shading
The ability to control sunlight is critical. Know how much shading you need during different times of day. East and west exposures get more direct sun, requiring tighter shading than northern exposures. It also accounts for seasonal sunlight variations.
Style and Decor
Select blinds and shutters to coordinate with your outdoor space. Aluminium or sleek blinds work well for a modern patio, while wood shutters suit traditional homes. Make sure colours and designs blend with existing furnishings and architecture.
Ease of Use
Opt for retractable and adjustable blinds or shutters. These make it simple to raise and lower shades as needed. Hinged, bi-fold, sliding, and tilting shutters offer adjustable sunlight control. Ensure the shades will be easy for anyone in your home to operate.
Weather Resistance
Check product specifications to confirm exterior blinds and shutters can withstand sun exposure, wind, and moisture. Key indicators are UV protection, warranties against fade and yellowing, and waterproofing abilities. The products should also be rustproof and not warp or crack.
Size Requirements
Take precise measurements of all windows, doors, and porch dimensions. This ensures custom-fit outdoor blinds and shutters tailored to your space. Consider nearby obstructions like AC units, pipes, or lights that may impact the installations.
HOA Rules and Building Codes
If you live in a condo or neighbourhood with exterior home upgrade rules, ensure outdoor shutters and blinds comply. Also, check local building codes for any requirements. Get approvals and permits needed before purchasing and installing shades.
Professional Installation
Proper installation ensures exterior shutters and blinds function as designed without posing hazards. Leaving installation to the professionals will provide results that are level, balanced, appropriately secured, and engineered to withstand wind.
Considering these key factors, you can select durable, easy-to-use exterior shutters or blinds that enhance your outdoor living space. Investing in shades designed for external use will allow you to enjoy your patio, balcony, or deck without compromise. With protection from weather, UV rays, and visibility, you can fully experience outdoor living. Let professional shade suppliers help you turn your outdoor area into a peaceful retreat.