Coolaroo shade canopies and prefabricated blinds that attach to the outer side of windows, balconies or open patio areas are one of the best choices because of the way the fabric has been crafted – knitted so that air passes pass through to keep the patio or inner rooms about 30% cooler while blocking as much as 90% of the harmful UV rays. The Coolaroo canopies (which can be made from the large rolls of affordable fabric), and the ready to install outdoor blinds, have a unique see-through quality. While many bamboo or regular fabric patio shade kits will protect form excessive sun, they may also reduce visibility, which is not ideal when it comes to a patio, deck or large windows that may face a scenic garden area.

Shade, coolness and visibility are the factors that set the Coolaroo products apart. Although their patio blinds and canopys look similar to other bottom roll-up window treatments, which are mounted on the outside and provide shade (and may even bang in the wind if left unsecured), the fabric is the key to keeping the indoors and outdoor area fresh and cool even in Arizona or Florida summer heat.

1. Ready to Install Outdoor Blinds by Coolaroo

The smoke colored =Coolaroo Classic Series Bottom Roll up Sun Shade measures 8 Feet by 6 Feet and comes ready to install with just a couple screws that are included in the kit. The fabric is knitted, is resistant to mildew and really helps keep your house or patio cool. (Smaller sizes of the same style of patio blinds are also available.)

The 4 by 6 feet Coolaroo Bottom Roll Up outdoor blind comes in the funky red and white stripe called Heritage Red.

The blue and white stripe design that’s called Summer Haze, is sometime possible to buy even cheaper than above mentioned patio shade in red.

2. 8 foot patio blinds in neutral colors

The eight foot patio blinds by Coolaroo come in neutral colors that match almost any home décor, but the most important factor to keep in mind is how much cooler the inner rooms will be and/or how fresh the deck, patio or balcony will be when covered fully or partially with a shade or blind.

If you have a deck with an open veranda or a patio with a roof but so side walls, then the larger patio blinds will be ideal to cut down on UV rays up to 90% and without the expense of a full patio enclosure.

Choose a neutral smoke color for a modern, clean-line look, or the classic sunset colored knit that goes well with various woods.

When it comes to having a patio that’s protected, sidewalls, glass panels or even awnings will cost a lot more than the large Coolaroo patio blinds that cost under $70 and can cover areas up to 8 feet wide and 6 feet long.

3. ultra large patio shade roll up blinds

For covering areas that are 10 feet wide, move up a step into the Coolaroo Select Series Top Roll patio shade designs that are versatile and come in a rich chocolate mocha color. The cool, mildew resistant patio shade models that we recommend, also extend 6 feet in length and cost about $180. Get a variety of matching sizes to fill-in other areas on the deck or patio, or to cover windows with roll-up blinds in the same texture and color of knitted, patented, Coolaroo fabric.

The smaller versions of this patio shade start at just over $60. One of the main distributors for the Coolaroo patio shade blinds is Gale Pacific, however your shipment may come a variety of other warehouses such as an online ace hardware outlet. Order online now.

4. create your own Coolaroo custom canopys

Many patios, decks and garden areas, as well as windows that may be odd dimensions, or patio doors – especially large French doors, may require a blind or some kind of canopy covering that simply can’t be bought ready made. The best solution to getting exactly what you need without resorting to choosing lower quality fabrics that won’t provide as cool an atmosphere, is to buy the rolls of Coolaroo fabric and the hooks, snaps and closures required to customize a blind or canopy. It’s surprisingly affordable to get rolls of the high-tech Coolaroo fabric and you’re not limited by length because there are rolls with 50 and 100 foot lengths.

Order one of the largest rolls to cover a pergola or slat patio roof, or to create an enclosure with limited UV rays yet great visibility. By the Coolaroo Medium Shade Fabric for 185 in a natural sand color (100 feet in length by 6 feet in width) and start cooling down your outdoor areas.

5. pop up patio, garden or deck canopy with Coolaroo fabric

Aside from using rolls of fabric to create a deck canpy that’s customized, there’s another option in the Coolaroo series. For a very reasonable price you can have a ready made pop up deck canopy in a practical gazebo-like design that’s all ready to assemble for everyday use or for special events. Order the Coolaroo Quick Up One Piece Gazebo (which comes in a neutral pebble color) and covers a 10 by 10 foot area. Fast, easy, no fumbling with hooks or closures – pop up the aluminum-steel frame that’s ultra lightweight, and add the unique knitted Coolaroo fabric canopy, and you’re set! Put it up and take down in minutes, or leave it up during the summer. It’s okay to not take it down it’s designed to be weather resistant, both the steel frame, which is powder-coated for durability and rust resistance, and the deck canopy roofing system that’s made from the patented Coolaroo fabric, are made to stand up to the elements – especially sun.

By the way, the pop up design is so lightweight an easy to put up and take down, that although you may buy it initially as a deck canopy, you may find yourself taking it to the beach, on camping trips or using for outdoor functions away from the backyard. Get your Coolaroo garden, patio or deck canopy online and qualify for free shipping within the United States.

6. Coolaroo shade canopies and DIY Kits

The versatility of the Coolaroo products for patios, decks, windows, doors, pergolas and sun shades is unmatched in terms of quality, UV protection, color choices, ease of installation and price.

When it comes to shade canopies for over a pool area, or over a window, or patio, the simple elegant Premium Triangle Shade Sail offers coolness, UV protection and affordability. The shade canopies come in three sizes:

1. 9 foot 10 inch patio or deck triangles
2. 11 foot 10 inch triangular sun shades
3. 16 foot 5 inch extended triangles for covering gardens or pools

Order the Triangle Shade Sails with DIY Accessory Kit online. Prices for these models are about $130, but there are various shade canopies in small sizes that are much cheaper in smaller sizes.

Expand Your Outdoor Patio Covers Browsing Experience

Get more information on other items for patio, garden and decks such as garden hammocks, outdoor cushions, patio furniture covers (to protect during winter) and even ideas on how to buy affordable summerhouse designs and small portable buildings made of wood.

Discover decking kits you may not have thought about, like the ones that use interlocking eucalyptus wood tiles, sold in DIY kits. Learn where to get high-tech umbrella stand models that glide across a patio deck with ease.

Furnish your poolside or patio deck with wooden furniture or the latest in lightweight cast aluminum patio furniture that looks like classic wrought iron. Choose affordable metal garden furniture that’s not going to rust, and find out where to get outdoor bar stools and tables that are sturdy, lightweight and come with cushions.

Affordable Giant Umbrella-Style Awnings

Stand alone shade structures aren’t cheap – most garden awning designs are priced between $2,000 – $3,000 for anything that tilts and has weather resistant fabric canopies and rust-free frames. However, one of the more affordable alternatives on the market costs $1,290. It’s the FIM C-series oval canopy (with UV / stain resistant acrylic Sunbrella outdoor fabric) in valance or market models, measuring 8 by 12 feet. Included are the powder coated aluminum frames (or an optional deck-mount base) and the weather resistant canopy in 16 standard Sunbrella fabric colors.

The C07 and C08 FIM structures tilt for different angles and open and close with a crank mechanism, yet are completely free standing awning-style umbrellas that can be placed in a garden, over a pool or attached to a deck floor.

The FIM collection of giant umbrellas and freestanding awning designs are some of the most versatile and affordable stand-alone shade structures on the market. Order the C07 Market Style Freestanding (Model C07+MFSB000) and your shipment will be sent from CSN Stores within a week to ten days.

Rectangular Free Standing Garden Awnings

While the umbrella style awnings are the most affordable, FIM also creates classic rectangular designs in the T series collection.

The T15 freestanding garden awnings (T15/GIB stand alone design or the same model with a deck mount base) has an antique beige Sunbrella fabric canopy (which is an 8 by 12 foot rectangular shade), a completely weather resistant powder-coated aluminum frame (with tilting features) plus a valance, and retails for $2,460. Order online and receive your shipment via CSN Stores. The 2 year warranty is covered by FIM manufacturing (a manufacturing company that’s based in Canada).

T18 Cantilevered Retractable Free Standing Awning

The T18 and T16 Cantilevered Freestanding Awning, side retractable model, by FIM is designed specifically to cover large deck or patios that are subject to prolonged UV exposure. That’s why this free standing awning offers double crossbar support to cover 10 by 15 foot areas with a high-end Sunbrella fabric canopy and an aluminum framework that’s powder coated, rust resistant (comes with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty) and can be tilted and retracted as required. It’s priced at about $2,950 and can be ordered online (shipping from CSN). Similar to the offset umbrella styles, the rectangular free standing awnings by FIM can be used in several ways. So, when ordering, you can choose a ground insert design or the deckmount plate (may cost extra).

FIM Manufacturing offers installation manuals for both the T16 and T18 models that explain which base or mounting structure will work best in different areas. Those used as garden awnings, and not mounted to a deck, will use the ground inserts. These are stainless steel sleeves which can be secured into a cement base with top plates. The tubes that are inserted can be removed or added as needed and when the tubes are not present, only the top plates remain and therefore provide a smooth surface.

Is it Possible to Buy FIM Awnings Direct from Manufacturer?

Buying awnings direct from FIM Manufacturing (in BC Canada) doesn’t seem possible unless it’s for custom designs, wholesale purchases, or FIM distributors. For retail customers, ordering the products is easy through online retailers. To choose the options you desire, including canopy colors and bases, click images / links and you’ll be taken to a secure shopping area.

Note: prices may vary depending on the color / design of the outdoor fabric you choose and the mounting kits you require for installation.

Manuals: you can download installation manuals for awnings direct from the FIM website at fim-umbrella.com.

Customizing Your FIM Freestanding Awning

The freestanding awning designs by FIM, for garden, deck, patio or pool areas may be customized. Metal frames come in three colors:

1. Textured Graphite
2. Textured Taupe
3. Gloss White

Choose a Textured Graphite aluminum frame finish for R02, C02TK, C05, C08, P-Series, T15, T18 and the XS5/G, XL7, XL8. Textured Taupe is available for the C06, T13, T16 and XS5/T models. Pure Gloss White aluminum frames can be had for R01, C03, C04, C07, T12 and T17.

All the FIM freestanding awning designs, including the large umbrella models, are made with the Sunbrella outdoor fabric as canopies. The basic 16 Sunbrella colors that FIM keeps in stock, and can be used to customize your shade structure, are:

1. Natural / Natural Mesh
2. Antique Beige / Beige Mesh
3. Heather Beige / Heather Mesh
4. Black / Black Mesh
5. Taupe
6. Dupione Papaya
7. Fern
8. Tuscan
9. Terra
10. Dupione Cornsilk
11. Sesame Linen
12. Dupione Palm
13. Parrot
14. Glacier
15. Linen Curacao
16. Capri

Discover other collections of outdoor shade products, such as the P – Series awning umbrellas which ship through CSN.

Versatile Hexagonal Free Standing Awnings For Poolside or Garden

One of the more unique and versatile free standing awnings that FIM makes is the Hexagonal C – Series umbrella / awning design.

The most affordable is the C05 in the market style with Heather Beige Sunbrella fabric (and a deckmount plate) for between $1,250 – $1,145, although the offset-free standing base is the most versatile and is the one pictured, it must be chosen separately.

View more options by going to the shopping page where you can place orders online and receive shipments within a week or two.

(Select the C05+MDMT5476 model with the 10.5 foot hexagonal canopy. The Offset Base Option includes powder-coated two-piece base design where the pole doesn’t obstruct the front or sides of the shaded area because weight is “offset” towards the back of the structure. To order the offset option will add $87 to the total price.)

What About Electric Awnings in the Garden?

Electric awnings, usually termed motorized retractable awnings (especially the top models made by SunSetter Awnings) are designed to be attached to a “structure”, such as a patio wall, the front of a porch or the beams near a backyard deck.

Totally freestanding electric awnings that retract at the push of a button are available though not very common (see Oasis model below), nevertheless, it’s possible to add any of the SunSetter motorized devices to a garden summerhouse, a pergola structure or even to gazebos.

Motorized units can be installed in a garden area by mounting the devices / canopies to almost any freestanding wooden, aluminum or metal shade structure. Most of the electric awnings by Sunsetter, such as the Retractable Motorized Pro 15 by 10 foot design retail for about $2,000 – $2,300 and can be purchased online (via Amazon) and will ship from distributors such as Stacks and Stacks.

Having an electric awning in a garden setting will require some planning to ensure you have an adequate stand-alone structure in place onto which the motorized retractable shade canopy can be mounted.

Discover various other alternatives in related posts that deal with alternatives for Home Porch Awning designs and Motorized Retractable Porch Awnings such as the OASIS Retractable Awning by SunSetter that’s a freestanding unit and retails for about $1,700.

Shop for the OASIS electric awning that’s a freestanding structure ideal for gardens, with a natural linen canopy (which will ship from CSN) and costs $1,695.76.

Adding Awning Lights

To make any outdoor area (with a shade structure) more functional for evening and nighttime use, it’s recommended to add the final touch – lighting. For freestanding garden awnings or motorized retractable electric coverings on a porch or patio, a set of awning lights can be easily added.

The Sunsetter patio lights are especially designed for withstanding the outdoor elements because they’re made from Lexan, an unbreakable proprietary material that’s also waterproof. Soft bulbs (somewhat bronzed but officially termed “smoked”) offer a mellow non-glaring glow and come in sets of six on a stretchy cord with twenty feet extra that runs from where the bulbs end to where an outlet can be reached.

The set of six awning lights costs about $100 and the hooks to attach them (Camco Fabric Awning Hooks) come in packs of seven. The awning lights and hooks work for caravan awnings# or permanent canopies over decks at home. Order a set of the SunSetter Patio Awning Lights and they’ll be shipped to you through Comfort Channel.

For something decorative, try the art deco Mission-Tiffany Style Lantern Lights made by Universal Lighting and Décor (and shipped from Lamps Plus) for just under $20 a set. The strings of mini tiffany lanterns come with 10 lights that have a bronze finish and tiny colored panes for soft evening radiance. This set of patio awning lights come with spare bulbs, connectors, fuses, and are strung onto a green cord that’s about 11.5 feet long. Order your sets of Mission-Tiffany Style Lantern Lights.

For more ideas on how to create practical and decorative outdoor spaces, browse related posts with ideas for things like hot tub gazebo designs, where to buy pergola kits, how to choose the best garage kits and how to order high quality metal shed and outdoor storage units.

We also offer suggestions for buying eucalyptus wood items as a way to save money instead of choosing expensive teak patio furniture, and how to get deck furniture (that looks like wicker) that’s completely weather resistant because it’s actually resin.

Outdoor Patio Covers is all about helping you create an outdoor space that’s functional, comfortable and long-lasting. That’s why we’ve chosen to include posts that deal with outdoor cushions that are stain and UV resistant, as well as patio furniture cover designs that have been engineered to protect furniture even in harsh winter conditions.

Discover the world of summerhouse design as playhouses for kids, work areas, studios and spare rooms. Choose a Summer House in the European styles or from American SolidBuild Kits.

Learn how to plan an outdoor / beach wedding using garden arch trellises for walkways and decorative accents and how to select the right canopy tent that will accommodate your guests for sit-down dinners or casual buffets. Decorate your bridal areas and garden arch trellises with lights – find out where to shop for the items you need and learn which products have received the highest customer satisfaction ratings.

1. Phoenix Shade Sail

Phoenix makes a shade sail that’s called a Sun Sail and is a little over 11 feet per triangle. The most popular one is the desert sand color sail that’s sold in a kit with all the hardware required, including rope and screws for anchoring to a shade structure, tree, post or pillar. The Phoenix sun sails are made of polyethylene fabric that’s woven but doesn’t absorb water and therefore isn’t prone to mildew / mold and is water and UV resistant (as well as easy to clean). Prices start under $50 and go up to just over $80 for the larger shade sail designs that measure over 18 feet (and are called oversized square sun shades).

2. Titan Shade Structures

Titan also makes a shade sail that can fit on different kinds of shade structures. Instead of a square or triangle they have a canopy design that’s a 13 by 16 foot rectangle. Titan calls them a Shading Canopy, and although they’re similar to other sails, offering UV protection and sand color fabric, the prices are more affordable than the leading Coolaroo shades. For between $60 / $70 you can create larger shade structures and get more coverage, especially for garages, large gardens and even over public / private parking areas. The shade sail canopies by Titan are made from polyester that’s treated to resist water. Similar to other shade devices they reduce the temperature by about 30% and block 90% UV rays. Although the shade sail squares come with steel rings, the accessories you may need for custom mounting are sold separately.

Although Titan is a more affordable choice for creating custom shade structures, many customers are happy to pay a little more for a Pheonix or Coolaroo kit that comes complete. Compare all the options and see which suits your needs best by clicking on the images and getting more information as well as shopping choices.

3. Coolaroo Breathable Shade Cloth and Sails

We suggest the Coolaroo shade sail designs because they’re affordable, durable and highly resistant to sun and inclement weather. The Coolaroo Triangle Shade Sail that’s almost 12 feet comes in funky colors like blue and green as well as a sandy color. The kits are all inclusive, so they’re easy to set up and take down. The only thing is that although 11 or 12 feet sounds like a lot of shade, it’s not as much as you might think, especially if you have a large deck, patio or garden area you want to cover. So although the smaller shade sails are priced at just over $80, it may worth looking into buying two or three and overlapping them in crisscross or custom designs. Otherwise you can buy a larger one that’s about 17 feet.

Take a look at the options available in shade sails that are ready to install and are sold as kits, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for in a prefabricated model, consider buying a roll of Coolaroo shade cloth and making a custom shape to match your structure. A small roll of fabric is cheap, between $30 and $40 and can cover up to a 15 feet, and larger rolls, (a little more expensive) can cover up to 50 and 100 foot lengths. The rolls of shade canopy fabric are available in green, black and sandstone.

When you start to design your own shade structures using a shade canopy or roll of cloth, you’ll need to remember to buy accessories like butterfly clips, snaps, grommets and perhaps even thread or tape to do a good finishing job. Shop for all the accessories you’ll need for just a few dollars including shade fabric Lacing Cord and timber fasteners.

For more suggestions on where to shop and what brands to buy, check out the post on shade cloth and sunshades as well as garden canopy recommendations. There are alternatives you may not have thought about such as party gazebos and soft top EZ pop up gazebo designs that are affordable and have side walls with netting for insect protection – something shade sails can’t provide. Finish off your outdoor patio or garden design with some of the top wooden garden furniture styles made from eco-friendly eucalyptus wood. Find out where to shop and view the recommended styles in benches and lounge chairs and as well as accessories like garden umbrellas and stands.

With flexible (pre-shrunk) shade cloth fabric that breathes, your deck or patio will be naturally cooler because the material has been designed so that air passes through the cloth, allowing hot air to escape while coolness remains.

Customize any area with a unique shade canopy that’s affordable and versatile from the collection of Coolaroo fabrics, such as the Extra Heavy Shadecloth in natural wheat color, available in a kit to cover 6 x 15 feet for about $35.

Cover larger areas and create complete shade canopy designs that are customized to your outdoor patio structure shape and size by choosing rolls of Coolaroo shade cloth fabric in 12 feet widths and up to 50 foot lengths. Choose deep heritage green or wheat color for under $230. By using a series of butterfly clips and sun screen snap grommets, the area you need to protect can be set in place easily and with little expense.

Imagine a shaded deck, porch, patio or garden area – up to 50 feet long and 12 feet wide – 32% cooler than it is now and with 90% UV protection. The Coolaroo shade canopy fabric is uniquely designed to be weather resistant and will remain unharmed by moisture or extreme temperatures, including winter cold or seething summer heat (even in Arizona).

Prefab Sunshades

Sunshades that are pre-fabricated using the heavy duty coolaroo fabric are also available. The sunshade that’s over 11 feet and includes all the hardware needed to install is called the Coolaroo Square Shade Sail and Hardware Kit, and comes in a natural desert sand color. Everything you need costs about $125. Add a triangular sunshade, or several of them, for between $85 and just over $100.

The Coolaroo sunshade kits come with stainless steel hardware such as snaps, hooks and turnbuckles. The best part of all is that the fabric comes with a 10 year warranty that it won’t be damaged by UV rays, mildew or mold. All the sunshades offer 90% UV protection and are of the same high quality knitted fabric that breathes and provides a unique cooling effect. They’re easy to put up and take down during winter, and you can choose your anchor points including trees, posts, walls or roof rafters.

Order your shade cloth rolls of fabric and create your own custom shade canopy over a garage or garden, or buy a prefabricated sunshade kit from the masters in cool UV protection – Coolaroo!

Interior / Exterior Sunshade

Sunshade and shade canopy designs can also be added to interior or exterior windows using the same Coolaroo technology. For example you can order the Coolaroo Select Series Top Roll up Sun Shade canopies in a variety of sizes that start at about 6 feet by 6 feet and come in a rich mocha color.

Choose larger sunshades that are 10 feet and cost about $180. There are also Coolaroo roman shades in light colors to match classic decors, and are ideal on balconies and open patio decks. For ideas on where to install these unique sunshades, check out Coolaroo that has offices from Australia to South America and points between and provide unusual shade cloth, canopies and sunshade solutions, including cloth by the roll, complete sail kits, gazebos, garden umbrellas and even funky cool shaded roofs for pets.

If you wish to order rolls of cloth, prefab shades, kits or hardware, click on an image and start shopping for the top sunshades on the market.

For information on other shade sail designs and suggestions on how to create unique shade structures, consult related posts.

Awnings

Patio covers that are known as a porch awning are usually attached the roof where the patio area begins. They will usually be made from an aluminum or metal frame and have some form of fabric that is either stable and fixed in place or is retractable so the porch can be totally open or covered as you desire.

The benefits of these types of patio covers is that they do not alter your house structure and can be relatively cheap when considering the alternative which may a total enclosure made of wood, metal or glass. The downside is that they are open to the elements from the front and sides and really only protect your patio from sun, light rain or very light snow flurries, but are no use for protection from wind or storms or heavy snow. In fact many a patio awning must be taken down or retraced against the wall or into a tube during bad weather, or if your area receives snowfall in winter.

Canopies

These patio covers are low cost overall, but again are an aluminum frame with fabric so are not permanent nor totally weather proof. The canopies that have partial walls or screens on the sides may serve to protect from the cold, if you have a patio heater inside, but will not work in heavy rain or snow. The benefits are price if compared to the cost of fixed enclosures, and the fact that they are portable and may be used in summer throughout the yard or garden as well as serving as a patio cover on a deck or raised area in the front or back of your house.

They are also ideal play areas for children and can be great to protect against insects if they have fabric or mesh screens along the sides. Canopies can be bought in styles that resemble tents and therefore can be very decorative and suitable for parties and large gatherings. Canopy patio covers can also be purchased in fashion colors to match all your patio furniture, even matching fabric on patio chair cushions.

I recommend having patio table and chair covers if you are going to use a canopy because wind and rain may get inside and under the canopy and ruin your furniture. Also it is best to either take down the canopy or heat it during winter. If you have heavy snowfall in your area, place your canopy under roof or some other patio cover because a canopy is bound to collapse under the weight of snow.

Patio Shades

The least expensive options are patio shades which are very different is shape and size these days. Not just a round umbrella, but a patio shade can be a v-shaped patio sail, also called shade sails. Shade sails may be stretched over the patio or garden or a mix of deck and garden to have outdoor shade wherever you most need it. These sun shades are light and really easy to put up and take down and can even be fasted to trees or lampposts or anything from which the three points can be attached with a long cord.

Sails look very contemporary in fun colors or can be classic in white. There are also a variety of patio screens, some built in as part of the house and others portable with screens and fabric attached around a large metal frame, or added to the outer walls of the patio enclosure. Portable patio covers are really versatile, because you can use them one day over the porch or patio or deck, another day in the garden like a mini marquise tent, and another day you can take it to the seaside and use as a shady area for lunch, changing, or just relaxing between swims. They are lightweight and usually come in portable cases making them good if you only use them on special occasions. Match your sail up with some comfortable patio furniture and quality garden lights and you can quickly and easily set up an outdoor living area for impromptu parties on long summer evenings.