Outdoor Shades vs. Awnings: What Makes Them Different?
No matter if you’re hosting a summer barbecue or enjoying early morning coffee outdoors, the right setup makes your deck or patio feel like a genuine extension of your home. When looking for ways to manage sunlight and heat, you’ll likely find that outdoor shades and awnings are among the most effective options. Both outdoor living products provide excellent relief from the sun, but they function in different ways to enhance your daily life.
At The Blind Guy Lewiston, we've been helping homeowners decide between these two options for years. Our team compiled this guide to help you learn more about the differences between outdoor shades and awnings and which is best for your lifestyle.
What Are the Differences Between Outdoor Shades vs. Awnings?
While both products aim to keep you cool, they solve different challenges:
What Are Outdoor Shades?
Outdoor shades, often called exterior shades, move vertically. They’re typically installed on an existing overhead structure, such as a porch ceiling or a pergola’s beams.
They act like a protective wall of fabric that you can roll up or down depending on the sun’s position.
What Are Awnings?
In contrast, awnings extend horizontally from your house. These backyard awnings provide overhead cover where there was none before, essentially adding a temporary roof to your patio.
While shades block the sun coming in from the horizon, like that blinding late-afternoon glare, awnings block the direct heat coming from directly above during the middle of the day.
Exploring the Benefits of Outdoor Shades
Choosing exterior shades offers incredible precision in light control. Because these shades roll down vertically, you can stop them at any height to block the sun while keeping your view open at the bottom.
Other advantages of outdoor shades include:
- Customized Glare Control: You can lower the shades as the sun dips lower, maintaining a comfortable temperature without losing the breeze. This is particularly helpful if you have a patio that faces the setting sun.
- Improved Privacy: If your neighbors have a direct line of sight into your seating area, lowering your shades creates a secluded sanctuary.
- Enhanced Weather Resistance: Durable, weather-resistant fabrics from top brands like Sunesta®, Insolroll®, and Sun Control are built to withstand the wind and sun, keeping your outdoor space looking great for years.
Understanding the Benefits of Backyard Awnings
Awnings are the ultimate solution for homes that have "open-air" patios or decks without an existing roof. By installing backyard awnings, you create a shaded zone that protects you and your outdoor furniture investments from UV rays.
Additional advantages of investing in backyard awnings are:
- Reduced Indoor Temperatures: An awning helps lower your indoor cooling costs. Shading your sliding glass doors and windows prevents the sun from heating your interior living spaces.
- Enhanced Protection: High-quality retractable systems from Sunesta® give you the flexibility to choose when you want shade. On a bright July afternoon, you can extend the canopy for full protection.
- Upgraded, Versatile Design: On a cloudy day, you can retract the system completely to let every bit of natural light into your home. These systems are designed for ease of use, with options for manual or motorized operation.
Shop Premium Outdoor Solutions Near Lewiston, ID
For many homeowners, the ideal outdoor lighting control setup involves a combination of shades and awnings. Our outdoor solution specialists will help you mull the pros and cons of each to help narrow down the best option for your space.
If you’re ready to upgrade your patio or deck, our team at The Blind Guy Lewiston is here to help when you schedule a free consultation or call (208) 792-1021.
The Blind Guy Lewiston is locally owned and operated, proudly serving homeowners throughout Lewiston and Moscow, ID; Clarkston, Pullman, Colfax, and Palouse, WA, as well as the surrounding communities.
