Hot and Bothered: When the Sun Comes On Too Strong | Tulsa Exterior Shades That Keep You Cool
- Mindi Zanovich | Owner
- Nov 20
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 21
The saying goes, “when the wind comes rushing down the plains,” but the reality is Oklahoma doesn’t stop at wind. We have sun… and it comes blasting in like a tornado without the sirens. Now enter exterior shades — the only thing that actually stands a chance against the Oklahoma sun. Exterior shades block heat, protect your outdoor living spaces, and keep your home or patio usable instead of feeling like a convection oven. If you’ve ever stepped outside and immediately questioned your life choices, this one’s for you.
Redefine Your Outdoor Comfort With Exterior Shades for Tulsa Homes and Businesses
Exterior shades are versatile additions to any outdoor space, offering protection from the sun, rain, and wind while enhancing privacy and security. Designed for patios, pergolas, and other outdoor structures, these shades come in various materials, including fabric, bamboo, and vinyl, to suit different aesthetic preferences and functional needs.
Premium Materials:
Our exterior shades are crafted using premium materials such as weather-resistant fabrics, aluminum, and stainless steel components to ensure long-lasting performance and durability.
Customization Options:
Exterior Shades offers a wide range of customization options, including various fabric colors and patterns, as well as different operating systems to suit the specific needs and style preferences of each customer.
Motorized Operation:
Exterior shades are equipped with motorized operations, allowing for easy and convenient control with the touch of a button or through a smartphone app. Motorized shades provide effortless operation and can be integrated with smart home systems for added convenience.
Zipper Track System:
Our Exterior shades feature a unique zipper track system that helps to hold the fabric in place and prevent it from being blown around by strong winds. The zipper track also helps to seal out insects, dust, and debris, creating a more comfortable outdoor environment.
Wind and Sun Sensors:
For added convenience and protection, TWO exterior shades can be equipped with wind and sun sensors that automatically adjust the shades based on changing weather conditions. This helps to protect outdoor furniture and maintain a comfortable temperature in outdoor living spaces.
Security Features:
Exterior shades come with optional locking mechanisms and security features to help keep outdoor spaces safe and secure when the shades are not in use. This includes bottom bar locks and remote-controlled locking systems for an extra peace of mind.
Weather Resistance:
Built to withstand various weather conditions, including rain, wind, and UV exposure, these shades are durable and long-lasting.
Overall: Exterior shades are designed to provide homeowners with a stylish, functional, and durable solution for enhancing their outdoor living spaces. With customizable options, motorized operation, and advanced security features, Whether you're looking to create a comfortable retreat from the sun, enhance privacy, or protect your outdoor furniture from the elements, exterior shades provide a versatile and practical solution.
Preserve Your View and Control the Sun With Exterior Solar Shades in Tulsa
Experience Active Shading:
Enjoy the outdoors without the harsh sun and heat, all with the touch of your hand. Spend more time entertaining or relaxing in your outdoor living space. Spend more time entertaining or relaxing in your outdoor living space.
Insect Repellent Solution:
Exterior zip screens ensures seamless fabric integration with side channels, minimizing gaps and effectively deterring insects. Spend more time outdoors during the summer months without worrying about bugs.
Control Your Energy Costs:
Exterior shades provide a shading solution for your outdoor patio and windows, creating an effective barrier to direct sun and reducing heat. Keep your house cooler and energy costs down with greater control over your environment.
Motorized Exterior Shades for Tulsa Homes: Smart, Quiet, and Effortless Control
Experience the convenience of automating your exterior shades with smooth, quiet operation designed for Oklahoma weather. Whether you are shading a covered patio, pergola, seating area, or an outdoor kitchen, motorization makes everyday use effortless and enjoyable.
State-of-the-Art Motorization:
Our motorized exterior shades use advanced motor technology engineered to handle heat, wind, and year-round outdoor conditions. We offer high-quality motors from trusted industry partners including Lutron, Somfy, Rollease ACMedia, and other premium providers. Each system delivers reliable performance, smooth movement, and long-lasting durability across a variety of exterior shade sizes.
Hardwired and AC Motor Options:
Hardwired motors provide the strongest lift capacity and the quietest operation. These systems integrate directly into your home’s electrical wiring, require zero charging, and are ideal for larger or heavier exterior shades. For projects needing hardwiring, we coordinate installation with your electrician to ensure a clean and seamless setup.
No charging required
Strongest lift for wide exterior openings
Quietest operation
Long-term durability
Seamless integration with smart home systems
Battery-Powered Motor Options:
Battery motors offer quiet, efficient performance without any wiring or wall work. They recharge with a simple plug-in cable and typically only need charging every few months based on usage. While not as powerful as hardwired motors, today’s battery options are smoother, quieter, and far more reliable than older generations.
Charges with a simple plug-in cable
Great for smaller exterior openings
No electrical work required
Lower upfront cost
Quiet and efficient
Smart-Home Integration:
Your motorized exterior shades can integrate with your smart home for complete convenience. Use a remote, wall switch, mobile app, voice control, or scheduled automation. Compatible hubs allow your shades to open or close during peak sunlight, at sunset, or whenever your routine needs it.
Works with Google Home and Alexa
App-based control from anywhere
Schedule shades automatically
Voice-activated convenience
Syncs with lighting, HVAC, and security systems
Built for Oklahoma Weather and Outdoor Living
Oklahoma heat, wind, and intense sun require motor systems that can keep up. Our motorized exterior shades reduce glare, block heat, protect furniture, and extend the use of your outdoor spaces year-round. With durable components and precision-engineered motors, your shades are designed to perform when it matters most.
Crank-Operated Exterior Shades
Crank-operated exterior shades are a reliable and budget-friendly option for homeowners who want exterior shading without motorization. These systems use a removable crank handle that attaches easily to the shade, allowing smooth manual operation with minimal effort. Crank options are ideal for patios, pergolas, and outdoor living spaces where power access may be limited or when a simple, no-wiring solution is preferred.
Easy operation:
The crank inserts into the shade’s lift mechanism and turns smoothly to raise or lower the fabric.
Multiple handle lengths:
Crank handles are available in 39, 59, and 79 inches to accommodate different mounting heights.
Space-saving design:
Each handle folds for compact storage and can be shared across multiple shades at the same location.
Durable construction:
Designed to withstand Oklahoma weather, crank systems provide dependable performance for outdoor areas exposed to sun, heat, and wind.
Crank-operated shades are a practical way to enjoy the benefits of exterior shading—heat reduction, glare control, privacy, and UV protection—without needing motors, wiring, or charging.
Exterior Shade Installation Options for Tulsa Homes and Outdoor Spaces
Exterior shades can be installed in several ways depending on your patio, pergola, porch, or outdoor room. Each installation option offers different levels of wind protection, privacy, airflow, and fabric stability. Metro Shutters Shades & Blinds provides installation solutions tailored to Oklahoma weather and the unique structures we see across the Tulsa metro area.
Zip Screen / Zip screen Extreme Installation
ZIP systems create a fully enclosed edge that locks the fabric into side channels, giving the strongest protection against wind, insects, heat, and glare. This option is ideal for Tulsa patios, outdoor kitchens, and pergolas where homeowners want year-round comfort. Zip screen Extreme is engineered for wider openings commonly found in new construction and lake homes.
Cable Guide / Cable Guide Extreme Installation
Cable guide exterior shades use stainless-steel cables to stabilize the fabric while maintaining an open, minimal look. This installation is perfect when side channels cannot be mounted or when homeowners prefer a sleek, modern appearance. Cable Guide Extreme adds extra support for wider spans and windy Oklahoma conditions.
Pivot Arm Installation
Pivot arm exterior shades mount at an angle away from the window or structure, allowing airflow while still reducing heat and sunlight. This option is popular for Oklahoma homes that want shade without sacrificing fresh air circulation or visibility.
Solutions for Wide Openings
For large patios, covered porches, or outdoor living areas around Tulsa, we offer Zip screen Extreme and Cable Guide Extreme systems designed to maintain stability and smooth operation across wide spans. These installation types are specifically engineered to perform well in the Oklahoma wind.
Exterior Shade Warranties
All installation options include manufacturer warranties on components and fabrics, giving Tulsa homeowners confidence in long-term durability and performance.
Exterior Shade Fabrics and Openness Levels for Tulsa Homes
Exterior shades come in a variety of fabric openness levels ranging from 1 percent to 14 percent, allowing homeowners to choose exactly how much heat, glare, visibility, and privacy they want. At Metro Shutters Shades & Blinds of Tulsa, most of our exterior shades use lower openness fabrics because they perform better in Oklahoma sun and provide stronger heat reduction on patios, porches, pergolas, and outdoor living spaces.
1% Openness — Maximum Heat + Glare Control
With the tightest weave, 1 percent fabrics offer the strongest daytime privacy and the greatest reduction of sunlight. This option is ideal for patios and west-facing areas that get intense afternoon heat.
3% Openness — Our Most Popular Exterior Fabric
This is the sweet spot for most Tulsa homeowners. A 3 percent fabric blocks a significant amount of heat and glare while still maintaining a usable outdoor view. It’s perfect for patios, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, lake homes, and backyard living spaces.
5% Openness — Balanced Visibility and Light
A 5 percent fabric provides a more open view while still offering meaningful heat reduction and UV protection. It’s a great choice for shaded patios, north-facing areas, or outdoor spaces where keeping the view is more important than maximum heat control.
10%–14% Openness — High Visibility
Higher openness levels let in more light and give the clearest outdoor view. These are used far less often in Oklahoma because they allow more heat through, but they’re available for homeowners who prefer maximum visibility over sun-blocking performance.
Choosing the Right Openness for Your Tulsa Home
Your fabric choice depends on how much heat, visibility, and privacy you want. Lower openness levels (1–3%) are the most effective for Oklahoma’s extreme sun, while higher openness levels work for shaded locations or homeowners who prioritize the view. We help each client select the fabric that performs best for their specific space and direction of sunlight.
Mounting Options, Decorative Covers, and Hem Styles for Tulsa Exterior Shades
Exterior shades can be mounted in several ways depending on your patio structure, trim, beam layout, and the overall design of your outdoor space. At Metro Shutters Shades & Blinds of Tulsa, we help homeowners choose the mounting method that provides the cleanest look and the best performance for Oklahoma weather.
Face Fit
The shade mounts directly to the face of the structure, such as the exterior beam or wall. This option provides excellent coverage and works for both motorized and manual exterior shades. Face fitting is ideal for patios and pergolas where maximum sun protection is needed.
Reveal Fit
The shade mounts inside the opening, between posts or structural elements. This creates a clean, built-in look and is perfect for outdoor kitchens, enclosed patios, and spaces where homeowners want the shade tucked neatly inside the frame.
Decorative Covers and Header Options
Exterior shades can be customized with different header styles to protect the fabric and enhance the overall appearance of your outdoor space.
Header Options Include:
• Open Roll — A clean, minimal look where the fabric roll is visible.
• Cassette — A sleek metal housing that fully covers the fabric roll for added protection.
• Fascia — A front cover that hides the roll while keeping the back open for ventilation.
Cassette and fascia options are especially popular for Tulsa homes because they help protect shades from wind, dust, and Oklahoma weather.
Hem Bars and Skirts for Exterior Shades
Hem bars and bottom finishes provide stability, weight, and a polished appearance.
Available Hem Styles:
• Standard Hem Bar — Clean and streamlined for most outdoor installations.
• Fabric-Wrapped Hem Bar — Offers a more decorative and modern look.
• 7” Skirt — Adds coverage and helps block additional light and glare.
• U-Channel Skirt — Ideal for maximum privacy or locking out more sunlight and insects.
These finishes help improve shade performance and appearance while complementing your home’s exterior design.
Ready to upgrade your outdoor living space?
From motorized systems and smart home integration to custom fabrics, installation options, and decorative finishes, Metro Shutters Shades & Blinds of Tulsa provides exterior shade solutions designed for Oklahoma sun and outdoor lifestyles. We help you choose the perfect combination of shade, color, fabric, and mounting style to keep your patio comfortable all year long.
Choosing the right shades for your home or office in Tulsa comes down to balancing style, privacy, and performance. Whether you prefer motorized exterior shades, manual exterior shades, or cable guide shades, Metro Shutters Shades & Blinds of Tulsa helps you find the perfect fit for your exterior spaces, patio spaces and windows, to match your lighting needs, and your lifestyle.
Have more questions about shades? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions here.
Ready to schedule your free consultation? Tap here to book with Metro Shutters Shades & Blinds of Tulsa.
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