Shining the Light on Outdoor Blinds

<p>Outdoor&nbsp;blinds&nbsp;are&nbsp;an&nbsp;attractive&nbsp;accessory&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;exterior&nbsp;of&nbsp;your&nbsp;home.&nbsp;They&nbsp;also&nbsp;serve&nbsp;a&nbsp;practical&nbsp;function&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;warm&nbsp;months&nbsp;by&nbsp;blocking&nbsp;the&nbsp;hot&nbsp;afternoon&nbsp;sunshine&nbsp;from&nbsp;a&nbsp;porch,&nbsp;balcony,&nbsp;patio&nbsp;or&nbsp;lanai.&nbsp;In&nbsp;the&nbsp;winter,&nbsp;they&nbsp;can&nbsp;help&nbsp;keep&nbsp;a&nbsp;cold&nbsp;draft&nbsp;away&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;same&nbsp;areas.&nbsp;By&nbsp;doing&nbsp;so,&nbsp;blinds&nbsp;can&nbsp;actually&nbsp;add&nbsp;living&nbsp;area&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;space&nbsp;where&nbsp;you&nbsp;live&nbsp;and&nbsp;provide&nbsp;you&nbsp;with&nbsp;a&nbsp;bit&nbsp;of&nbsp;privacy&nbsp;along&nbsp;the&nbsp;way.</p><p>There&nbsp;are&nbsp;several&nbsp;things&nbsp;to&nbsp;consider&nbsp;when&nbsp;searching&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;perfect&nbsp;outdoor&nbsp;window&nbsp;blinds.&nbsp;The&nbsp;first&nbsp;step&nbsp;should&nbsp;be&nbsp;a&nbsp;thorough&nbsp;research&nbsp;of&nbsp;what&nbsp;is&nbsp;available.&nbsp;Local&nbsp;window&nbsp;treatment&nbsp;stores&nbsp;and&nbsp;online&nbsp;sites&nbsp;can&nbsp;provide&nbsp;general&nbsp;information&nbsp;about&nbsp;the&nbsp;various&nbsp;types&nbsp;of&nbsp;blinds.&nbsp;Outdoor&nbsp;patio&nbsp;blinds,&nbsp;as&nbsp;some&nbsp;stores&nbsp;call&nbsp;them,&nbsp;can&nbsp;be&nbsp;purchased&nbsp;ready&nbsp;to&nbsp;hang&nbsp;or&nbsp;customized.</p><p>A&nbsp;consumer&nbsp;will&nbsp;have&nbsp;lots&nbsp;of&nbsp;choices&nbsp;when&nbsp;it&nbsp;comes&nbsp;to&nbsp;size,&nbsp;fabric,&nbsp;and&nbsp;color.&nbsp;Unless&nbsp;customized,&nbsp;blinds&nbsp;usually&nbsp;come&nbsp;ready&nbsp;to&nbsp;hang&nbsp;at&nbsp;4&nbsp;to&nbsp;10&nbsp;feet&nbsp;wide&nbsp;and&nbsp;72&nbsp;to&nbsp;84&nbsp;inches&nbsp;long.&nbsp;They&nbsp;can&nbsp;be&nbsp;vertical&nbsp;or&nbsp;horizontal.&nbsp;Some&nbsp;are&nbsp;outdoor&nbsp;roll&nbsp;up&nbsp;blinds,&nbsp;some&nbsp;are&nbsp;pleated,&nbsp;and&nbsp;others&nbsp;are&nbsp;straight&nbsp;panels&nbsp;like&nbsp;found&nbsp;inside&nbsp;the&nbsp;home.&nbsp;Motorized&nbsp;blinds&nbsp;are&nbsp;becoming&nbsp;popular.</p><p>Fabrics&nbsp;have&nbsp;to&nbsp;stand&nbsp;up&nbsp;to&nbsp;water,&nbsp;frequent&nbsp;use,&nbsp;and&nbsp;temperature&nbsp;changes.&nbsp;Choices&nbsp;include&nbsp;plastic,&nbsp;acrylic,&nbsp;polyester,&nbsp;fiberglass&nbsp;and&nbsp;wood.&nbsp;Some&nbsp;are&nbsp;even&nbsp;made&nbsp;of&nbsp;a&nbsp;special&nbsp;solar&nbsp;screen&nbsp;material.&nbsp;Blackout&nbsp;shades,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;favored&nbsp;by&nbsp;restaurants,&nbsp;are&nbsp;also&nbsp;popular&nbsp;since&nbsp;they&nbsp;keep&nbsp;out&nbsp;about&nbsp;97%&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;heat&nbsp;from&nbsp;sunlight.&nbsp;Outdoor&nbsp;bamboo&nbsp;blinds&nbsp;are&nbsp;unique&nbsp;and&nbsp;can&nbsp;give&nbsp;a&nbsp;patio&nbsp;a&nbsp;tropical&nbsp;flair&nbsp;in&nbsp;no&nbsp;time.&nbsp;They&nbsp;have&nbsp;an&nbsp;exceptional&nbsp;ability&nbsp;to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;protection&nbsp;from&nbsp;light&nbsp;or&nbsp;sunshine&nbsp;and&nbsp;would&nbsp;be&nbsp;an&nbsp;excellent&nbsp;choice&nbsp;for&nbsp;areas&nbsp;that&nbsp;get&nbsp;full&nbsp;sun.</p><p>Outdoor&nbsp;patio&nbsp;blinds&nbsp;are&nbsp;available&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;variety&nbsp;of&nbsp;colors,&nbsp;including&nbsp;many&nbsp;different&nbsp;shades&nbsp;of&nbsp;solids&nbsp;and&nbsp;stripes.&nbsp;For&nbsp;the&nbsp;true&nbsp;lover&nbsp;of&nbsp;neutrals,&nbsp;there&nbsp;are&nbsp;transparent&nbsp;blinds.&nbsp;After&nbsp;narrowing&nbsp;down&nbsp;the&nbsp;choices&nbsp;to&nbsp;2&nbsp;or&nbsp;3,&nbsp;the&nbsp;consumer&nbsp;can&nbsp;arrange&nbsp;furniture,&nbsp;rugs,&nbsp;pillows,&nbsp;and&nbsp;plants&nbsp;to&nbsp;meet&nbsp;the&nbsp;overall&nbsp;color&nbsp;scheme.</p><p>While&nbsp;outdoor&nbsp;blinds&nbsp;might&nbsp;be&nbsp;the&nbsp;perfect&nbsp;answer&nbsp;to&nbsp;saving&nbsp;money&nbsp;on&nbsp;utility&nbsp;bills,&nbsp;creating&nbsp;a&nbsp;satisfying&nbsp;natural&nbsp;space,&nbsp;and&nbsp;protecting&nbsp;possessions&nbsp;against&nbsp;sun&nbsp;damage&nbsp;and&nbsp;intruding&nbsp;eyes,&nbsp;they&nbsp;are&nbsp;not&nbsp;wind-proof.&nbsp;Whether&nbsp;self-installed&nbsp;or&nbsp;contracted&nbsp;out,&nbsp;effort&nbsp;should&nbsp;be&nbsp;made&nbsp;to&nbsp;make&nbsp;sure&nbsp;blinds&nbsp;are&nbsp;securely&nbsp;anchored&nbsp;with&nbsp;tie&nbsp;down&nbsp;loops&nbsp;or&nbsp;some&nbsp;sort&nbsp;of&nbsp;a&nbsp;cable&nbsp;system.</p>