Outdoor Shades & Patio Screens in Austin, TX
Your patio deserves better. Elevate your outdoor living with sophisticated treatments designed to protect, beautify, and extend your living space through every season.
WHAT WE INSTALL
Screens, Shades, Awnings and Curtains
Everything here is measured, built to size and installed by our own team.
Motorized Patio Screens
Roll-down screens that close in a covered patio or porch against sun, wind and bugs — then roll up into a slim housing when you want open air.
Best forCovered patios, porches and outdoor kitchens
- Track
- Zip track or cable guide
- Operation
- Crank or motor
Exterior Solar Shades
Solar shades mounted outside the glass stop heat before it reaches the window — far more effective than inside shades alone on hot walls.
Best forSouth- and west-facing windows
- Mount
- Outside the window
Retractable Awnings
Extend for shade over a deck or patio, retract for open sky. Wind sensors are available.
Best forDecks and patios without a roof
- Sensor
- Wind sensor available
Outdoor Curtains
Weather-tough fabrics that bring the soft look of drapery to a pergola, cabana or porch.
Best forPergolas, cabanas and pool houses
Outdoor Shutters
Weather-resistant shutters with timeless style and practical light control for porches and outdoor rooms.
Best forCovered porches and outdoor rooms
SCREEN SYSTEMS
Zip Track or Cable Guide
How a screen is held at the sides decides whether it keeps bugs out and how it handles wind.
Zip Track
The screen's edges lock into aluminum side channels, so there are no gaps at the sides. It holds steadier in wind and keeps insects out.
Best forBug-free patios and windy, open spots
- Side gaps
- None
- Insects
- Kept out
Cable Guide
Stainless cables at each side guide the screen up and down. A lighter, lower-cost system for sun and glare — but the sides stay open, so it won't keep bugs out.
Best forSun and glare control on sheltered porches
- Side gaps
- Small gaps at each side
- Insects
- Not bug-tight
FABRIC & MESH
Choose the Mesh by the Job
We bring samples outside so you can see each one in your own light and view.
Insect Mesh
A tight weave that stops mosquitoes and other bugs while the breeze still comes through.
Best forEvenings outside and pool decks
Solar Mesh
Cuts sun, heat and glare while you still see out. Lower openness blocks more sun; higher openness keeps more of the view.
Best forHot west-facing patios
- Openness
- 3%, 5% or 10%
Privacy Fabric
A dense fabric that blocks the view in from neighbors and the street, along with most of the sun.
Best forClose neighbors and street-facing patios
OPERATION
Crank, Motor or Automatic
Manual and motorized screens use the same fabrics and tracks — the difference is how you run them.
Manual Crank
A hand crank raises and lowers the screen. No power or wiring needed.
Best forSmaller openings and occasional use
Motorized
Run one screen or the whole patio from a remote, the app or your voice assistant.
Best forWide openings and screens you use every day
- Control
- Remote, app or voice
Wind & Sun Sensors
A wind sensor raises screens and retracts awnings when gusts pick up; a sun sensor lowers them when the afternoon sun hits.
Best forHomes that are empty during the day
GET STARTED
Get a Quote on Outdoor Shades
Tell us about your outdoor area — we'll respond within 2 business hours with pricing and a free in-home estimate.
HOW WE MEASURE & FIT
Measured Opening by Opening
You don't measure anything. At your free consultation we measure each opening and plan the mount, track and power.
Width and height in three places. Patio openings are rarely square. We measure top, middle and bottom and plan to the tightest numbers.
A solid surface to mount on. The housing and side tracks need flat, solid beams, posts or header. We check what's behind stucco, stone or siding before choosing the mount.
Floor slope. Patio slabs slope for drainage. We measure it so the bottom bar meets the floor along its length instead of leaving a gap at one end.
Clearance around the opening. Ceiling fans, lights, gutters and door swings are planned around so the screen runs freely.
Power for motorized screens. We find where the power will come from before install day, so there are no surprise cords across the patio.
Wind and bugs decide the track. Open, windy spots and bug-free patios get zip track; sheltered porches that only need shade can use cable guides.
HOW IT WORKS
From First Visit to Installed
Discover
Free on-site visit. We measure every opening and look at sun, wind and how you use the space.
Design
Fabric and mesh samples outside in your actual light, and a clear quote for screens, tracks and controls.
Build
Screens, housings and tracks made to your measurements.
Install
We mount, level and adjust every screen, set the motor limits and walk you through the controls.
AT A GLANCE
Outdoor Options at a Glance
| Feature | Patio Screens | Exterior Solar Shades | Retractable Awnings | Outdoor Curtains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where it goes | Open sides of a covered patio | Outside a window | Wall above a deck or patio | Pergola, cabana or porch |
| Keeps bugs out | With zip track and insect mesh | — | — | — |
| Keeps your view | Yes, with solar mesh | Yes | Yes | When open |
| Operation | Crank or motor | Crank or motor | Crank or motor | By hand |
| Starting price | From $1,550 per opening | From $350 per window | From $2,050 | Quote at consultation |
GLOSSARY
Outdoor Shade Terms We Use
The words you'll hear at your consultation, in plain English.
Parts
- Housing
- The box at the top that the screen rolls up into — also called a cassette or headbox.
- Hem Bar
- The weighted bar along the bottom of the screen that keeps it straight.
- Side Track
- The aluminum channel on each side that guides the screen — also called a side channel.
- Zip Track
- A side track that locks the fabric's edge in place, leaving no gap at the sides.
- Cable Guide
- Thin stainless cables at each side that guide the screen, with small gaps at the edges.
Fabric
- Openness Factor
- How open the weave is, as a percentage. Lower openness blocks more sun; higher keeps more view.
- Solar Mesh
- A fabric made to cut sun, heat and glare while you still see out.
- Insect Mesh
- A tight weave that stops bugs but lets air through.
- Privacy Fabric
- A dense fabric that blocks the view in.
Mounting
- Face Mount
- The housing and tracks attach to the face of the beams or posts around the opening.
- Ceiling Mount
- The housing attaches under the patio ceiling or header.
- Recessed Mount
- The housing is built into the ceiling or header so it disappears when the screen is up.
- Header
- The beam across the top of the opening that the screen usually hangs from.
Controls
- Manual Crank
- A removable handle that turns the screen up or down.
- Wind Sensor
- A small sensor that raises screens or retracts awnings when wind picks up.
- Sun Sensor
- A sensor that lowers shades when direct sun reaches it.
- Limits
- The top and bottom stop points we set in the motor so the screen stops in the right place.
SMART HOME COMPATIBLE
Works With Your Smart Home
Amazon Alexa
Ask Alexa to adjust your treatments. Your smart home just got smarter with voice-activated blinds and shades.
Google Home
Integrate seamlessly with your Google Home setup. Control treatments naturally through your preferred platform.
Apple HomeKit
Privacy-first integration with Apple HomeKit keeps your home automation secure and in your control.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Shades
How much do outdoor shades cost in Austin?
Exterior solar shades range from $300–$800 per window. Motorized patio screens run $1,500–$4,000. Retractable awnings start at $2,000–$5,000. All pricing includes professional measurement and installation.
How long do outdoor shading products last in Texas weather?
Quality outdoor products last 10–15+ years in Austin's climate. Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics are warranted against fading for 10 years.
Can outdoor shades reduce my indoor cooling costs?
Yes. Exterior solar shades reduce solar heat gain by up to 65%, typically saving 10–20% on cooling costs during Austin summers.
Do outdoor screens work with smart home systems?
Yes. Motorized outdoor screens integrate with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. They can be controlled by voice, app, or remote.
Can outdoor shades handle Austin storms and wind?
Our patio screens withstand winds up to 60 MPH. Retractable awnings feature automatic wind sensors. Motorized products can be retracted quickly for severe weather.
What's the difference between zip track and cable guide screens?
Zip track screens lock the fabric edges into aluminum side channels — no side gaps, steadier in wind, and bug-tight with insect mesh. Cable guide screens run on stainless cables at each side; they cost less and work well for sun and glare on sheltered porches, but the open sides won't keep bugs out.
What does the outdoor warranty cover?
Frames carry a lifetime warranty. Fabrics and motors are covered separately by their manufacturers' warranties — we'll show you the terms for the exact fabric and motor in your quote.
Do I need a motor, or can I crank it by hand?
Either works. Manual crank screens are a good fit for smaller openings you don't lower often. Motors make sense for wide openings or screens you use every day, and let you run them by remote, app or voice.
Can outdoor screens be added to an existing patio?
Yes. Most screens mount to the existing beams, posts or header. We check the mounting surface and floor slope at the free consultation before we recommend a system.
COVERAGE
Service Areas
Serving Austin and surrounding communities
Let's Bring Your Vision to Light
Your consultation is completely free — and completely worth your time. Let's create something beautiful together.