Outdoor Window Shades, Exterior Window Shades and Bamboo Shades

Blinds and shades on the outside of the window

On the interior, blinds provide the basic function of preventing people looking into your windows, as well as blocking out the sun on very hot days. However, interior blinds do not do a good job of blocking the heat. This is because by the time the sunlight has hit the blinds, it has already crossed through the window. Once inside, even though the light is blocked, it still heats up the blinds and thus the interior of the house. The answer is to add outdoor window shades (which are also known as exterior window shades) to the windows of the house. Outdoor bamboo shades also can act as shading. There are several types of window shades.

Fabric vs. non-fabric

Outdoor window shades can be divided into fabric and non-fabric window shades. The fabric ones are made of either canvas or other modern synthetic weave which is rolled up when opened. These can be light blocking, or partly light permitting as in the case of "solar shades". Non-fabric ones are made of materials like wood or bamboo, usually arranged in the form of horizontal slats that are lined up vertically. However, if not slats the horizontal pieces can be very thin bamboo rods in which case these would be called bamboo roll up blinds. The rotation of each slat opens the blinds, permitting light to come through.

Roller-blinds

An example of fabric-based outdoor window shades are "Roller Blinds", which are fairly standard items that roll up to different heights, which allows control of how much light to enter the window. These blinds are a staple of outdoor blind systems. They are great in the summer as they keep out the heat to reduce air conditioning costs. During the winter, it may be more useful to have interior blinds to prevent heat loss, although exterior roller blinds will have some insulating ability.

Non-fabric bamboo shades

An example of a non-fabric blind are the "Outdoor bamboo Shades". Outdoor bamboo shades are made of slats of bamboos tied together by rope or twine to form panels, much like vertical ones. Outdoor bamboo shades are great for adding an exotic touch to your house on the outside, or inside if you'd prefer. If it appeals to the eco-conscious personality in you, bamboo blinds also draw upon a more renewable resource, bamboo, rather than wood. However, unlike fabric, the selection for colors are more sharply limited, as bamboo is often prized for its muted, natural hues rather than bright colors. Moreover, bamboo shades may not work with a home that has a lot of wood construction or furniture, as these do not pair well aesthetically.

Non-fabric Venetian blinds

Another example of non-fabric exterior window shades are "Venetian Blinds". Despite the fancy sounding name, they are the horizonal slats of metal (usually aluminum) which are opened by twisting a thin stick that controls the rotational orientation of each slat. Contrary to its name, Venetian Blinds were actually invented by an Englishman. These can be used as window shades, although many put aluminum venetian blinds outside a window to deter theft or other activities that involve breaking a window. It is much harder to break windows when its protected by a reasonably closed covering. Venetian blinds also come in bamboo flavors, although these are much rarer.

Exterior and outdoor window shades perform a valuable function in eliminating energy costs from cooling and heating to some extent, as well as block shade and protect windows from physical harm. The main varieties are the fabric shades and the outdoor bamboo shades.