Outdoor Shades
Custom outdoor shades for patios, pergolas, and exterior spaces.
Outdoor shades help make patios and other exterior living areas more comfortable by reducing direct sun, glare, and exposure while preserving the open feel of the space. We help you choose the right outdoor-rated fabric, shade system, mounting approach, and operation, then measure and install each shade for your space.
- Based in Van Nuys · serving the San Fernando Valley & West LA
At a glance
- Custom outdoor and exterior shades
- Solar-screen fabrics for sun & glare control
- Manual or motorized tracks
- Professionally measured & installed
- Based in Van Nuys · serving the San Fernando Valley & West LA
The basics
Shade where you actually need it outdoors.
Outdoor shades, also called exterior shades, patio shades, or outdoor roller shades, are designed for spaces exposed to stronger sun and changing outdoor conditions.
Mounted along a patio opening, pergola, exterior window, or other suitable structure, the shade lowers when you want more protection and retracts when you want the space completely open.
The fabric, openness, mounting system, and orientation of the space determine how much sun, glare, privacy, and outward visibility you get.
For Los Angeles homes, where afternoon sun can make an otherwise beautiful patio difficult to use, the right exterior shade can make a noticeable difference in everyday comfort.
What goes into it
The details that shape a custom outdoor shade.
A few key choices determine how your outdoor shade performs, looks, and handles the conditions around your space. We help you get each one right.
Outdoor fabric & openness
Exterior solar fabrics help reduce direct sun and glare while preserving different levels of outward visibility. We help you choose the right openness, color, and material based on sun exposure, privacy, and the view you want to keep.
Ask about outdoor fabrics
Guidance & mounting
The way an outdoor shade is mounted and guided matters, especially across larger or more exposed openings. Depending on the space, the system may use side channels, tracks, cables, or another guided setup to help keep the shade controlled and aligned.
Ask about shade systems
Manual or motorized
Choose straightforward manual operation or motorization for larger, taller, and frequently used shades. Motorized outdoor shades can be controlled by remote, wall control, app, schedules, or compatible smart-home systems depending on the setup.
Explore Motorized Shades
WHY OUTDOOR SHADES
What outdoor shades do for your space.
Control direct sun
Outdoor shades help block intense sunlight before it reaches your patio, seating area, or glass, making the space easier to use during bright hours.
Reduce heat & glare
Exterior solar fabrics cut harsh glare and reduce direct solar exposure, helping patios and covered outdoor areas feel more comfortable.
Add privacy without closing in
Choose the right openness level to create more privacy while still preserving outward visibility and the open feeling of your outdoor space.
Protect furnishings & finishes
By limiting prolonged direct sunlight, outdoor shades can help reduce UV exposure on patio furniture, flooring, finishes, and nearby interiors.
How they operate
Manual or motorized, depending on the space.
Both can work well. The right choice depends on the size of the opening, how often you use the shade, how accessible it is, and whether you want simple manual control or automated operation.
Manual
- Straightforward operation for accessible outdoor openings
- A practical choice for smaller or moderately sized shades
- No electrical or smart-home setup required
Popular
Motorized
- Quiet motorized control by remote, wall switch, or app
- Ideal for wide, tall, or frequently used outdoor shades
- Scheduling and smart-home integration on supported systems
Explore Motorized Window Treatments
Learn about our Somfy systems
Measure & install
Measured for the space. Installed for the conditions.
Outdoor installations vary from one patio, pergola, and exterior opening to another. We measure the space, review mounting and guidance conditions, and install each shade so it sits square, moves properly, and works with the surrounding structure.
In-home measurement, complimentary for qualified projects
Professional installation and adjustment by our team
Setup and support for motorized shades and programming
Local service
Outdoor shades, fitted to LA living.
Los Angeles homes are built around indoor-outdoor living, but direct sun can make patios, pergolas, and covered outdoor spaces uncomfortable for hours at a time.
RomRollShade measures and installs custom outdoor shades throughout the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles, helping you choose the right fabric, system, and operation for the space.
Sherman Oaks
Woodland Hills
Studio City
Encino
Calabasas
Beverly Hills
Brentwood
Santa Monica
+ surrounding areas
See all service areas
Related
Often considered alongside roller shades.
Good to know
Common questions.
What are outdoor shades?
Outdoor shades are retractable shade systems designed for exterior spaces such as patios, pergolas, covered outdoor areas, and suitable exterior openings. They typically use outdoor-rated solar fabrics to reduce direct sun and glare while preserving varying levels of visibility and airflow.
Are outdoor shades the same as patio shades or exterior shades?
The terms overlap quite a bit. Patio shades usually refer to outdoor shades installed around a patio, while exterior shades is a broader term for shading systems used outside the home. You may also hear them called outdoor roller shades, exterior roller shades, or exterior solar shades.
Can outdoor shades help reduce heat and glare?
Yes. Exterior shades can reduce direct solar exposure before it reaches the seating area or glass, which can make patios and covered outdoor spaces feel more comfortable. Solar-screen fabrics are especially useful for controlling glare while still allowing some outward visibility.
Can outdoor shades be motorized?
Yes. Motorized outdoor shades are a popular option for wide, tall, or frequently used openings. Depending on the selected system, they can be controlled by remote, wall switch, app, schedule, or compatible smart-home integration.
Do outdoor roller shades still allow a view outside?
They can. The amount of outward visibility depends largely on the openness of the solar fabric. More open fabrics preserve more of the view, while tighter fabrics generally provide stronger sun control and daytime privacy.
Can exterior shades provide privacy?
Yes, but the level of privacy depends on the fabric and lighting conditions. Tighter solar fabrics typically provide more daytime privacy, while more open fabrics maintain better visibility. Privacy can change at night when indoor or patio lighting becomes brighter than the surrounding area.
Are outdoor shades waterproof and windproof?
Outdoor-rated fabrics and hardware are designed for exterior use, but that does not mean every system is fully waterproof or suitable for all wind conditions. Wind exposure, mounting location, shade size, and the guidance system all need to be considered when selecting the right product.