This Summer, Beat the Sun at Its Own Game By Adding Exterior Solar Shades to Your Home

Summer is meant to be enjoyed, and the sun is supposed to be our partner in that, but many homeowners are surprised to learn how punishing the sun can be on their home.

Alicia and her husband moved into their dream home in Wilsonville, Oregon last year. It has beautiful views facing south where distant trees frame a lovely valley and orchard.

View into their backyard in Wilsonville, Oregon

But when summer rolled around, their cherished view became an obstacle to enjoying the season. The rooms on that side of the house were getting very hot on sunny days, and an overbearing midday glare would pour into the house. It was hard to enjoy being inside a space they usually found inspiring and comforting.

It’s a pretty mean trick to see a beautiful, sunny day outside while you feel uncomfortable in your own home. To add insult to injury, there are further problems to consider when the sun pours through our windows.

·         Furniture and interior finishes start fading.

·         And the costs of keeping the home cool keep climbing.

Fortunately, there’s a simple solution that beats the sun at its own game.

The Simple Power of Exterior Solar Shades

At Adrette Window Coverings, we understand how frustrating it can be when you just want to be comfortable indoors and enjoy your beautiful home.

Through years of experience, we’ve found that exterior solar shades are more effective than interior shades because they reflect solar energy before it ever enters your home!

This simple, powerful effect helps homeowners to:

·         Keep the house cooler and more comfortable.

·         Protect their furnishings and interior.

·         Lower their utility costs in the summer.

We install products from Insolroll, a leader in solar shade manufacturing from Colorado who builds American-made, quality sun screen shades up to 19 ft. wide. Their products are durable, reliable, and come with a 5-year warranty.

Insolroll exterior motorized shades on patio in Oregon

What the Process of Installing Exterior Solar Shades Looks Like

The process of installing custom window coverings like exterior shades is simple, and we pride ourselves on making it as easy and enjoyable as possible. Here’s how it works.

1.       DESIGN - Together, we select the perfect fabric and shade style. 

2.       CREATION - We have your exterior sun screen shades custom-made in the USA and then install them for you.  

3.       INSPIRATION – You get great sun protection inside your home and even greater enjoyment of the summer!

In the case of Alicia and Barrie, their interior designer recommended they call us, and our Window Fashion Designer, Marlys, made a house call a few days later. After touring the home, we recommended they add motorized, exterior sun screen shades to the windows.

We targeted the most problematic windows, large French doors and sidelights in their living room and a particularly-sunny kitchen window. Marlys helped Alicia select a cream-colored fabric that reflects much of the solar energy away from the home.

The color of shade should be based on your goals. A lighter color reflects more heat while darker fabrics offer a better see-through effect and preserves more of the view. In the end, Alicia and Barrie decided that keeping the rooms cooler was most important.

An electrical contractor was tasked to install the needed wires and junction boxes for the motorization. Then, once the shades were custom-built and delivered to us, Adrette’s installers mounted and programmed them professionally. Have a look at how quiet and smooth they are! One touch on the Somfy remote is all it takes to make the house more comfortable.

motorized Insolroll solar screen shade working outside the kitchen window

Alicia and Barrie’s experience of summer in their dream home was transformed. The rooms don’t get hot anymore. Their furniture is safe from punishing UV rays, and they can easily adjust the shades throughout the day as the sun makes its way across the sky.

Many of our clients add their shades in stages, and now that they’ve seen how well the motorized solar shades work, Alicia plans to add them to other windows and doors in the house.

Insolroll motorized sun screen shade working outside the French doors

Transform Your Summer Experience with Exterior Solar Shades

Imagine spending time in one of your sun-facing rooms this summer, comfortably protected from the heat, knowing you are not only saving your interior finishes from UV-damage but also reducing your cooling cost.

Shouldn’t your home feel comfortable and inviting? It all comes down to a simple, powerful idea. Send the sun back where it came from by reflecting the heat and glare away from your home! Then, the ability to control the effects of the sun in your home will continue to serve you year-round.

Schedule a consultation here or by calling (503) 703-4692. We look forward to answering your questions so you can beat the heat and the sun and make the most of your summer.

Custom Drapery | Smart Motorization | Shades | Blinds | Shutters | Pillows & Bedding

Choosing custom window treatments can be overwhelming.

With Adrette’s expert guidance, you will make confident decisions and enjoy a warm, inviting space transformed by beautiful, functional drapes, blinds, shades, or shutters.