Patio and Window Sun Shade Solution Installed in Austin Backyard
- Josh Hobbs
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Posted: May 23, 2026
I recently completed a full patio and window sun shade solution for a homeowner in Austin, Texas. This project combined custom patio roller shades, new sliding door screens, and solar window screens to dramatically improve comfort, reduce heat, and upgrade the entire backyard living area.
Project Summary:
4 Patio Roller Shades in New Brown — $1,463
5 Custom Insect Sliding Door Screens — $725
14 Solar Window Screens (90% on west-facing, 80% on others) in Mocha — $1,092
Total Installed Cost: $3,280
Patio and Window Sun Shade Solution Project Highlights
Patio Roller Shades I installed four heavy-duty patio roller shades in the popular New Brown color. These shades provide excellent coverage while maintaining a clean, modern look. See more examples of New Brown patio roller shades here.
The shades use high-density fabric that blocks 97% of the sun’s heat and glare. Learn more about fabric density and amount of shade.
One of the most common questions I get is: “How well can you see through them?” The view-through is surprisingly good. Check out this detailed explanation about seeing through patio roller shades.
The upper balcony shades were custom-installed around existing handrails. See how this is done here.
New Insect Sliding Door Screens
The homeowner also wanted reliable bug protection on their sliding patio doors. I built and installed 5 heavy-duty insect sliding door screens. These replaced old, non-functional screens and now slide smoothly.
In addition to the roller shades, I built and installed 5 heavy-duty insect sliding door screens for their sliding patio doors. The old screens no longer worked properly, so these new heavy-duty screens provide smooth operation and reliable bug protection.
Learn more about screens for sliding doors here. I can build both solar and insect versions depending on your needs.
14 Solar Window Screens
To complete the patio and window sun shade solution, I installed 14 solar window screens in Mocha color. I used 90% fabric on all west-facing windows (back of the house) for maximum heat protection and 80% fabric on the front and side windows.
The difference between 80% and 90% solar fabric is significant, especially in Texas. The 80% fabric still blocks a large majority of the sun’s heat and glare while allowing slightly more natural light and outward visibility. The 90% fabric, on the other hand, offers maximum solar rejection — blocking even more heat and UV rays. This makes a noticeable difference in indoor temperature, especially on west-facing walls where the sun beats hardest during the hottest part of the day. Homeowners with single-pane or older windows benefit even more from the 90% option because it helps compensate for the lack of modern energy-efficient glass.
Mocha fabric is quickly becoming one of my most popular colors. It has a rich, warm tone that blends beautifully with stone, brick, beige siding, and dark trim — giving the home a clean, high-end appearance without looking too dark or heavy. It strikes an excellent balance between style and performance.
Solar screens are highly effective at reducing heat gain and UV exposure. The 90% fabric is especially beneficial on west-facing windows where the afternoon sun is the strongest. Read the data about how well solar screens work here to see just how much difference they can make in indoor temperature and energy bills.
They also replace the need for separate bug screens. One of the biggest advantages of solar screens is that they provide excellent insect and bug protection while simultaneously blocking the sun. The tightly woven mesh is fine enough to keep flying bugs out, eliminating the need for traditional bug screens. This means you get two major benefits in one clean installation: superior solar heat and glare reduction plus reliable bug protection. Many homeowners are surprised to learn they can remove their old insect screens entirely after installing solar screens. Learn more about solar screens for bug protection here.
To see exactly how solar screens are installed, click the link. Every screen is custom-made and precisely fitted to your windows for a clean, professional finish with minimal light gaps.
Ready for Your Own Patio and Window Sun Shade Solution?
Whether you need patio roller shades, solar window screens, sliding door screens, or a complete outdoor comfort upgrade, I specialize in custom solutions that look great and perform even better.
View my full Patio Roller Shades collection.
Ready to transform your backyard? Contact me today for a free quote!
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