With summer approaching, the days are getting longer, and longer days means more sun. The sun is a wonderful thing, but too much of anything isn't good. Exterior shading allows you to keep enjoying your outdoor spaces after you've reached your limit on fun in the sun.

You have many options when it comes to exterior shading. Whether you go with motorized retractable awnings, motorized rolling shutters, retractable pergola covers, or solar shades, you can find a solution for your home patio, balcony, windows, or backyard.

This blog post will cover the many different benefits, ranging from security to UV protection, of exterior shading. 

Security

One of the most common ways burglars can enter your home is through a window. Burglars enter through unlocked windows, and even break them to gain access to a home. One of the biggest benefits of exterior rolling shutters is security. Exterior shutters are nearly impossible to penetrate and, if somebody tried, they'd wake up the entire neighborhood in the process. 

Privacy

Sometimes we have a love-hate relationship with our windows. You love the natural light that brightens your house and the wonderful views your windows allow. But there are times when you don't want to announce to the outside world what you're doing in your home. Privacy becomes a priority at night when you can't see outside clearly, but the inside of your home can be easily viewed because of the lighting contrast. Shutters and shades such as retractable solar screens will grant you the privacy that you want in your home. 

UV Safety 

UV rays, as you're probably aware, can cause a lot of damage: damage to your body, your home's floors, furniture, and paint. You can't stop UV rays, but you can reduce and eliminate your exposure to them with quality awnings, shutters, solar screens, and pergola covers.

Around 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancer is linked to UV sun overexposure. The sun's UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. The easiest and most comfortable way to minimize outdoor UV skin damage is ample shading.

Motorized retractable awnings and pergola covers can provide you a safe refuge, so you can enjoy every minute of outdoor living even at the peak of summer.

Additionally, rolling shutters and solar screens can keep the sun from damaging your furniture during certain times of the year when the sun angle has UV rays aimed directly at your sensitive floors and furniture.

Value

One of the biggest benefits that a lot of people forget to consider when thinking about exterior shading solutions is energy savings.

A PAMA Energy Study found that awnings can reduce annual cooling energy by 64-80% for homes in San Francisco. ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Condition Engineers) found that an awning reduces solar gain by 72-77% on western exposures, reducing home cooling energy consumption by up to 60%.

In addition to reducing air conditioning demands, motorized shading products can also be solar powered – reducing energy consumption even further.

An investment that pays for itself and is guaranteed to keep gaining returns each year – that’s a pretty solid investment.

Convenience and Pleasure

You may have unusable spaces around your home due to the unbearable sun exposure. Exterior shading helps reclaim space by creating shade in areas you were avoiding. Whether it's a patio or balcony, or even an area in the backyard, you can conveniently and comfortably utilize that space after adding some shade.

Do you have hot asphalt around your house? A retractable awning can turn that area into a cool and relaxing place. For spaces a little further away from the house, a pergola is a great option.

Adding a retractable pergola cover to your pergola allows you to get as much sun as you want when you want it, and get the cool comfort of shade when you're ready.