What Are the Best Outdoor Shades for Windy Areas?

Why Invest in a Wind-Resistant Sunshade?

The best outdoor shades for windy areas all have something in common: they provide patio cover, making your impractical space covetable again. There are many reasons to install a windproof patio shade in addition to protecting yourself from strong gusts, including the following.

Cooler Temperatures

It may be hard to believe that a windproof patio shade can lower the area's temperature by about 20 degrees, but this is true. This is a big reason homeowners start researching this type of cover.  

When choosing a wind-resistant sun shade, such as a retractable awning, you can determine how much light to let in, from 0% to 20%. Zero blacks out all sunlight, and 20% allows the most light to permeate your space. You can extend or retract the shade based on the sun's movement.

Cooler temperatures shouldn’t just be reserved for your patio or deck; don’t forget your outdoor pool. Installing high-wind sun shades over your pool will allow you to enjoy this amenity during the hottest times of the year. Instead of investing in a costly cooling system that requires regular maintenance and tremendous power, opt for a well-built wind-resistant shade or pool sail. 

U.V. Glare  

The best outdoor shades for windy areas are made of thick mesh, which blocks much of the sun's UV glare and prevents skin damage.

A top-quality retractable wind-resistant sun shade will also prevent indoor and outdoor furniture from fading due to sun exposure. If your outdoor patio shades are extended, you’ll no longer have to draw your living room blinds to protect your artwork on the walls from fading. 

An Insect-Free Zone

You may not be the only one wanting to use your patio. Unwanted guests such as mosquitoes, wasps, moths, and any other insect attracted to light, food, or people can quickly ruin your outdoor get-together.

Fortunately, Rollac offers a range of wind-resistant sun shade styles that can lessen and even prevent these unwanted guests from crashing your party.

From the wholly enclosed ZipShade solar shading to the vertical drop-down retractable shades, you can instantly create an insect-free zone for yourself, your family, and your friends. 

These are some of the best outdoor shades for windy areas. They offer insect protection, allowing you to enjoy your patio space instead of treating bug bites.

Energy Efficiency 

Research shows that windows exposed directly to sunlight can account for 57%- 63% of homes' and businesses' energy loss. This can dramatically increase the cost of owning a home or running a business. One of the most effective ways to fight this energy loss is to install outdoor wind shades for your windows and doors. Home and business owners with outdoor shades can expect to save 33%- 45% of energy. 

Wind and Weather Protection

There's nothing more frustrating than owning a lovely outdoor space, only for it to be unenjoyable due to wind disturbance. 

The best outdoor shades for windy areas offer substantial protection from harsh weather, including strong winds. So, visiting family or customers can still enjoy fresh air even on imperfect days. Plus, your outdoor space will be protected from debris, trash, dust, and even water. 

Our Zipper Track Technology locks fabric in place, remaining taut to prevent flapping and noise. We worked hard to develop a wind-resistant sun shade with this ability, having got tired of the way traditional shades get blown all over the place, get tangled, or let through draughts. 

A combination of the fabric and an interlocking channel creates a sealed barrier that prevents the fabric curtain from pulling out at high wind speeds. For example, our Rollac ZipShade is rated for winds up to 80MPH.

Increase Curb Appeal and Value

If you’re considering a covering for your business, the best outdoor shades for windy areas can increase its curb appeal. Often, owners of restaurants, for example, focus primarily on the interior, making it as inviting as possible. Yet they’re entirely overlooking what their outdoor space looks like. 

Patio season can be profitable for a restaurant or pub owner, but if your guests are battling the wind, the hot sun, and insects, they won’t want to sit outside. As a result, this will halve the space in your restaurant for potential customers. Attention to your exterior space is crucial; thoughtfully planned coverings can set your space apart from your competition.

If your space is limited due to neighboring businesses or by-law regulations, consider investing in compact wind-resistant shades. They will protect your customers and make your outdoor space more inviting while occupying minimal space.

The Best Types of Wind-Resistant Outdoor Shades 

Here’s an easy-to-understand breakdown of the best outshades for windy areas: 

Zipper Track Shades

Zipper Track Shades (such as our ZipShade) use a modern and unique technology, where the fabric zips securely and vertically to each side of the support or window space. It works in any position, from 1-100% rolled down. This keeps the fabric taut, so there’s no flapping or noise.

Avoiding the use of cheap materials and design, ZipShade has a wind rating of 80mph. In winds of this speed, the fabric won’t billow or pull loose, and the frame, zipper tech, and mounting points won’t bend or fail. 

80mph is the equivalent of a severe thunderstorm, tropical storm-level gust, coastal wind, or the outer rain bands of a hurricane.

Retractable Awnings

Our retractable awnings use a high-quality mounting and ultra-resistant GORE® TENARA® thread, which offers fantastic UV protection to avoid deterioration over time.

With a wind rating for 25-40 mph, they’re a wonderful solution for remote-controlled sun and wind cover from above, and look elegant over a patio, pool, or outdoor sitting area.

Our Retractable Awnings also have add-on accessories, such as a Wind Sensor for automatic retraction and a Sun and Rain sensor for automatic extension. 

25-40mph wind resistance allows the awnings to remain safely extended in light-to-moderate winds, where you may otherwise get irritated by billowing awnings and swaying umbrellas. 

Rollac Pergolas 

For a more secure and constant wind-resistant sun shade for your outdoor space, you may prefer the Rollac Pergolas. 

Pergolas are a permanent outdoor structure with columns or posts supporting an open roof of rafters and beams. Instead of having roofs, they have slits that let in a certain amount of light, allowing for a reduced sun intensity, but still a sensation of being outdoors and free. 

Our Rollac Pergolas have a wind rating of up to 90mph, resisting bending, de-anchoring, and collapse in strong winds. If you live in a coastal or plain area with frequent, strong wind events, then you may find comfort in how strong the Pergolas can be. 

90mph winds are comparable to strong tropical storms and Category 1 hurricane-level winds. 

Best Outdoor Shades for Windy Areas Comparison Table:

How to Choose The Best Outdoor Shade for Windy Areas

Local Weather and Climate

The first question to ask yourself when selecting the best outdoor shade is how windy it is. Before investing in a wind-resistant shade, consider your local weather and climate. Is your area prone to high winds, tornadoes, dust storms, or hurricanes? 

If you live in a consistently windy area, such as a coastal or hurricane-prone region, then you’ll find our Zipper Track shades an absolute game-changer. These areas are susceptible to water damage and general debris that can be massively reduced, while still retaining that fresh air feel. 

We’ve had Rollac customers install aerometers to measure the strength of the wind. This might seem extreme, but purchasing a wind-resistant shade for your home or business is a significant investment; underestimating anything that could damage it would be a gross oversight. 

Price

Your second consideration should be the price. Generally, the best outdoor shades for windy areas are expensive because they’re made of the highest-quality materials and do the job well! You may soon be disappointed if you’re tempted to spend less, hoping you’ll get a ‘deal’ on your covering.

Rules and Regulations

Thirdly, what are your neighborhood HOA (homeowners association) rules and regulations or local by-laws? For example, if you are looking for a wind-resistant sun shade for your home, you need to be aware of what your HOA will allow regarding coverings. 

Sometimes, an HOA might prohibit outdoor wind shades, but it will enable you to install an equally effective outdoor structure. 

The same can be said for businesses. If your company is located in a larger commercial space, the owner or even the city can dictate the exterior appearance of each business, from window coverings to signage. That’s why it’s essential to familiarize yourself with their regulations.

Company Reputation

Fourthly, consider the reputation of the company selling the shades. Do they have a good reputation, what is their return policy, and how is their customer service?  

Rollac is a proven leader in the shading industry. We have a wide selection of the best outdoor shades for windy areas. We can partner with you to find the most suitable shade for your home or business.

The Rollac Difference

With over 40 years in the outdoor wind shades market, Rollac offers more than the best outdoor shades for windy areas. We are committed to excellent product quality and customer service that our competitors cannot match. 

Yes, a good-quality wind-resistant sun shade is a financial investment, but once installed, it will return your outdoor patio to the oasis and gathering space you’ve always envisioned. Let Rollac help you achieve that.