So, is this the typical apples and oranges comparison. Yes! But, which shade offers the best value? A custom made solar roller shade or a ready made, off the shelf, roller shade. We would argue that the custom solar roller shade is the far better investment and in this blog post we will share why we believe that. However, if you only want to spend a $100 or less for a basic shade screen, then you are not likely to be swayed. Additionally, we gain nothing by selling you a comparative sized product for $400 or more, if it is not something you are interested in spending money on. So please, feel no pressure from our perspective, just kindly consider our point of view.
With that said, here are the differences. The ready made solar shade comes in one size regardless of your opening size and offers no ability to change the fabric color, add features, nor does it include professional measure and install - though for added expense those services are available on Craigslist. It will generally hold together for a season or two, then will begin to degrade or fail. For the money, it is what is reasonable to expect from a ready made roller shade.
While not for everyone, we believe the custom option, though more expensive, is a better value - and here is why:
Custom Sizing - Unless you are extremely lucky, your patio or deck opening is not a standard size. Our patio shade is built to size for your individual space. This just plain looks a lot nicer and provides better coverage from the sun - which is the whole point of the product.
Fabric choices - We really do have a diverse, functional and beautiful fabric collection. Our fabric selection is diverse and as such allows us to create combinations to accommodate for sun control, privacy, view-through and aesthetics. With many colors, weaves, textures and openness options it is possible to customize a look and feel that makes your outdoor space part of your home's design.
Heavy Duty Hardware - These are the sorts of details for durability, child safety and performance that you do not see but that make a huge difference in the performance and longevity of your outdoor solar roller shade. When you start out with better hardware components, you end up with a better product.
Premium clutch – Our Patio Sun Shade are custom made which allows us to match the best clutch and lift system to the lifting capacity needed necessary to match the shade’s size and weight. What that means for the you is better and easier use of your roller shade. A nice roller shade that raises and lowers without catching and will not slowly lower on its own once the shade is up. Yes, that can and does happen.
Continuous Loop Bead Chain and Metal Select Locking Chain Guide – Many outdoor shades operate with a pull cord that then wraps around a cord cleat, which can be a child safety disaster waiting to happen. Still others have the continuous loop bead chain, but it is left to dangle, which is an even greater child safety risk. Our exclusive Metal Select chain guide secures the end of the loop safely, making it nearly impossible to form a loop around a child’s neck. Our Metal Select Chain guide is fully compliant with the ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2012 Child Safety Standard, and is available in 4 colors to complement the design of your patio or deck.
Reinforced brackets – this is an area where a lot of manufacturers skimp, but ours are beefy brackets, make to support the weight of the shade effortlessly, and engineered to secure both the clutch and the idler so that the shade will not fall. This is really important as we provide very wide blinds to accommodate the larger openings we encounter. These roller shades are engineered to handle the weight and forces associated with the larger size roller shade.
Welded fabric edges – Welding, or heat sealing, finishes the edges of solar screen fabric, preventing fraying and unnecessary wear. Any woven fabric is subject to fraying after it is cut, and welding all our fabric edges results in much longer fabric life, and during that life, you’re going to be so much happier with the looks of your shade. Additionally, welded edges also prevent fabric threads from becoming caught in the clutch or any other shade components, again prolonging life and smooth operation.
Welded and sealed hem pocket – The bottom hem pockets are also sealed, with an aluminum weight bar tucked inside. The bar can’t slide out, and its weight keeps your shade taught and handsome looking.
Bungee Cord System – Our bungee cord hold-down system is a simple yet effective method for keeping your shade in place. Bungee cords stretch and flex, absorbing the energy of wind movement without harming the shade, and attach to D-Rings on the hembar and deck or wall.
Fascia System (optional) - Our optional 3″ or 4″ fascia system conceals the roller, and protects fabric from dirt and other offending substances when the shade is retracted. The Top/Back Cover provides further versatility for perfect detailing and fabric protection in various mounting scenarios. This system is available in 5 finish choices: Black, White, Vanilla, Bronze, and Clear Anodized, which is a silver colored finish. None of the ready made shades will give you so many detailing options, and ours allow you to make your solar roller shade blend beautifully into your patio or deck’s aesthetics.
What does it all really mean to you? The bottom line is that our custom made Patio Sun Shade really is a better built patio shade, from start to finish, and we give you choices for complementing your particular deck or patio that are not available in a ready made patio shade.
Our solar roller shades are built to last and enhance your outdoor living experience, and in our opinion, that’s where the real value is!
We would love to help you find the right roller shade solution for your patio. Also, be sure to check out our online roller shade calculator for a rough idea of what your project might cost. Or, please use this contact form to describe your project with rough sizes, and we will gladly email you a rough estimate.
With that said, here are the differences. The ready made solar shade comes in one size regardless of your opening size and offers no ability to change the fabric color, add features, nor does it include professional measure and install - though for added expense those services are available on Craigslist. It will generally hold together for a season or two, then will begin to degrade or fail. For the money, it is what is reasonable to expect from a ready made roller shade.
While not for everyone, we believe the custom option, though more expensive, is a better value - and here is why:
Custom Sizing - Unless you are extremely lucky, your patio or deck opening is not a standard size. Our patio shade is built to size for your individual space. This just plain looks a lot nicer and provides better coverage from the sun - which is the whole point of the product.
Fabric choices - We really do have a diverse, functional and beautiful fabric collection. Our fabric selection is diverse and as such allows us to create combinations to accommodate for sun control, privacy, view-through and aesthetics. With many colors, weaves, textures and openness options it is possible to customize a look and feel that makes your outdoor space part of your home's design.
Heavy Duty Hardware - These are the sorts of details for durability, child safety and performance that you do not see but that make a huge difference in the performance and longevity of your outdoor solar roller shade. When you start out with better hardware components, you end up with a better product.
Premium clutch – Our Patio Sun Shade are custom made which allows us to match the best clutch and lift system to the lifting capacity needed necessary to match the shade’s size and weight. What that means for the you is better and easier use of your roller shade. A nice roller shade that raises and lowers without catching and will not slowly lower on its own once the shade is up. Yes, that can and does happen.
Continuous Loop Bead Chain and Metal Select Locking Chain Guide – Many outdoor shades operate with a pull cord that then wraps around a cord cleat, which can be a child safety disaster waiting to happen. Still others have the continuous loop bead chain, but it is left to dangle, which is an even greater child safety risk. Our exclusive Metal Select chain guide secures the end of the loop safely, making it nearly impossible to form a loop around a child’s neck. Our Metal Select Chain guide is fully compliant with the ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2012 Child Safety Standard, and is available in 4 colors to complement the design of your patio or deck.
Reinforced brackets – this is an area where a lot of manufacturers skimp, but ours are beefy brackets, make to support the weight of the shade effortlessly, and engineered to secure both the clutch and the idler so that the shade will not fall. This is really important as we provide very wide blinds to accommodate the larger openings we encounter. These roller shades are engineered to handle the weight and forces associated with the larger size roller shade.
Welded fabric edges – Welding, or heat sealing, finishes the edges of solar screen fabric, preventing fraying and unnecessary wear. Any woven fabric is subject to fraying after it is cut, and welding all our fabric edges results in much longer fabric life, and during that life, you’re going to be so much happier with the looks of your shade. Additionally, welded edges also prevent fabric threads from becoming caught in the clutch or any other shade components, again prolonging life and smooth operation.
Welded and sealed hem pocket – The bottom hem pockets are also sealed, with an aluminum weight bar tucked inside. The bar can’t slide out, and its weight keeps your shade taught and handsome looking.
Bungee Cord System – Our bungee cord hold-down system is a simple yet effective method for keeping your shade in place. Bungee cords stretch and flex, absorbing the energy of wind movement without harming the shade, and attach to D-Rings on the hembar and deck or wall.
Fascia System (optional) - Our optional 3″ or 4″ fascia system conceals the roller, and protects fabric from dirt and other offending substances when the shade is retracted. The Top/Back Cover provides further versatility for perfect detailing and fabric protection in various mounting scenarios. This system is available in 5 finish choices: Black, White, Vanilla, Bronze, and Clear Anodized, which is a silver colored finish. None of the ready made shades will give you so many detailing options, and ours allow you to make your solar roller shade blend beautifully into your patio or deck’s aesthetics.
What does it all really mean to you? The bottom line is that our custom made Patio Sun Shade really is a better built patio shade, from start to finish, and we give you choices for complementing your particular deck or patio that are not available in a ready made patio shade.
Our solar roller shades are built to last and enhance your outdoor living experience, and in our opinion, that’s where the real value is!
We would love to help you find the right roller shade solution for your patio. Also, be sure to check out our online roller shade calculator for a rough idea of what your project might cost. Or, please use this contact form to describe your project with rough sizes, and we will gladly email you a rough estimate.
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