Graber Solar Exterior Shades for a Covered Patio in Pelham, NY

This covered patio in Pelham became the new homeowners’ favorite room almost as soon as they moved in. Long runs of windows look out over the trees and the street, with wicker seating at one end and a table for meals at the other. By mid-afternoon, though, the sun poured straight in and the heat made the room hard to use.

They wanted to cut the sun and heat without losing what they loved about the space. The room needed to keep its natural, relaxed feel, and any shade had to suit the white trim, shingle walls and warm wood floor.

Westchester Window Fashions chose Graber solar exterior shades in a fabric that looks like natural woven wood. The warm, textured weave blends with the wicker and teak furniture, so the shades read as part of the room rather than an add-on.

Cutting Heat Before It Enters

An exterior shade does its work on the outside of the glass, stopping sun and heat before they reach the window. That is what makes Graber solar exterior shades so effective on a space like this: the room cools down noticeably, but from the inside the light simply looks softer, not blocked. The open weave keeps the daylight and the view of the trees, so the patio still feels like the outdoors.

Each window section has its own shade, set between the columns so the trim stays in view. Raised, the shades tuck up under the ceiling line and leave the view open. Lowered, they soften the glare and block much of the afternoon heat.

A Room That Works All Afternoon

Durability matters outside. A covered patio is sheltered, but it is still an outdoor room – damp mornings, pollen, winter cold – and an exterior-rated solar fabric is made for exactly that life. The weave will not fade or stretch out of shape the way an indoor fabric would, and the shades can stay in place through the seasons, ready the first warm weekend of spring.

The patio now stays comfortable through the afternoon, and the light that comes through the fabric is warm and even. Meals at the table no longer depend on the time of day, and the seating end keeps its view of the street and trees. The room still feels open and connected to the outdoors, which was the point of the project from the start.

Operation stays simple, which suits a room used this often. Each shade raises and lowers on its own, so the homeowners can drop only the sections taking sun and leave the rest of the wall open. As the light moves across the afternoon, the room adjusts with it – no one has to choose between the view and the comfort.

During the consultation, Westchester Window Fashions measured each section between the columns and reviewed weave options, looking for a fabric open enough to keep the view and dense enough to tame the late-day sun.

For covered patios and porches in Pelham and across Westchester County, solar shades are a simple way to take the heat off a sunny room without giving up its character. The result is a room that went from the homeowners’ favorite in theory to their favorite in practice, usable from morning coffee through dinner. To learn more about our exterior shades, see more of our work, or plan your own project, call Westchester Window Fashions at 914-685-9336.