For Maryland residents, Northern Virginia residents, and the greater DMV, the DMV is not exactly the most predictable place when it comes to weather. One week you’re in 95°F humidity with a deck that feels like a steam room.One week you’re in 95°F humidity and stepping onto your deck like a steam room. Some months later your patio furniture is under the six-inch snow dump. But somewhere in the middle, you’re trying to outrace an afternoon thunderstorm that pours enough rain onto a street in 20 minutes.
Which is why it’s not as easy as just picking something pretty from a catalog when it comes to choosing outdoor patio blinds and sun shades for DMV decks. The improper materials bend, mildew or fade in one season. The right ones turn into an all-year round improvement which makes your Maryland or Virginia deck a true livable outdoor room.
In BuyHomeBlinds.com, we assist homeowners throughout the DMV area to discover window and outdoor coverings that will do more than look good on the day of installation. Here are all the facts you should consider before purchasing.
Why DMV Weather Is Uniquely Tough on Outdoor Shades
You live in the Washington DC metro area, which is in a humid subtropical climate zone, so your outdoor patio blinds are going to have to deal with:
High heat and UV intensity – Maryland and Virginia summers often reach heat indices of over 100°F, and cheap fabrics tend to fade, become brittle and lose integrity within a year or two with UV exposure.
Humid and oppressive humidity – Chesapeake Bay influence and geography bind moisture in the region. Mainly humid as high as 80% during May–September. Any moisture-holding shade material will mold and mildew rapidly particularly on a screened porch or partially covered deck.
Powerful afternoon thunderstorms – Pop-up storms can produce wind gusts of 40-60 mph and driving rain. This is an issue that should be addressed by outdoor roller shades and pergola blinds that do not tear at the grommets or seams.
Cold, wet winters – Unlike the Deep South, the DMV gets real winters. The patio shades should be tough enough to withstand the cold for heavy snowfall or sleet, or they must be stored.
If you understand what weather profile you’re facing you will be better informed about the shades you can purchase that will still be in good condition three years on.
Best Materials for Outdoor Patio Blinds in Maryland & Virginia
1. PVC-Coated Polyester – The DMV Workhorse
PVC coated polyester is the standard for outdoor roller blinds and patio shades for most homeowners in the DC area. Waterproof, UV stabilized and easy to wipe down after the spring mudstorms. Does not absorb moisture, so mold and mildew have no place to cling.
In addition, PVC-coated fabrics retain their form when windy, a benefit if the wind comes across the Piedmont in the afternoon in a west or southwest direction – where the storms are most likely to blow in across your deck.
2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Shade Cloth
HDPE shade fabric – it’s the same shade fabric used for commercial shade sails – is a great choice for pergola covers and open air deck shades in Virginia and Maryland. Good shade cloth usually has a 90-95% UV blockage, and will last 10+ years without fading, and in fact will cool the area down more than solid shade would.
In the summer, the breathability factor becomes important in the DMV. A firm shade holds back the hot air, a good HDPE weave shades you and lets the heat out. For high wind, consider fabrics of 185–200 GSM (grams per square meter).
3. Solution-Dyed Acrylic (Sunbrella-Type Fabrics)
Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics are a good investment if looks are as important as function – and for many Virginia homeowners, they are. It is not applied as a surface dye, and will not fade away in the sun, unlike the cheaper alternatives.
These fabrics are mold and mildew resistant, durable, and available in a variety of colors and patterns, and when well maintained, will last through the Maryland winters. They are the go-to for custom outdoor roller shades and drop blinds for luxury screened porches in the Maryland suburbs and Northern Virginia.
4. Bamboo & Natural Weaves – With Caveats
Bamboo and natural woven shades may look nice on a screened porch or covered patio, and do offer a decent amount of UV filtering. But in the humidity of the DMV, untreated natural materials will absorb the rain and condensation water and eventually warp or grow mold, typically within two to three seasons.
If you like the appearance, select bamboo shades that are treated for outdoor use and only hang them on a fully covered porch where they cannot be exposed to the rain. Combine with adequate ventilation and keep them inside in the height of winter.
Types of Outdoor Patio Blinds for DMV Decks
Outdoor Roller Shades are the most common type of shades used by Maryland and Virginia homeowners. They attach to the edge of a patio or pergola, and roll up neatly away when not being used. Today’s motorized versions allow you to tweak coverage from the inside, which is helpful on those summer afternoon rain days.
Patio Drop Shades / Side Curtains can be used on screened porches or covered decks in Northern Virginia. They achieve 360 degree protection from wind, sun and insects. Side-guide systems can be used to hold the shade taut during windy weather.
Pergola Shade Panels are installed between or over the pergola beams, and are perfect for outdoor decks in the DMV suburbs. The open weave of the HDPE shade cloth does not trap standing water on the surface of the cloth making it ideal for this application.
Retractable Awning Blinds offer both overhead and side protection in one awning; they are a good option for west and south facing decks in Maryland and Virginia where afternoon sun is the main concern.
Installation Tips for Maryland & Virginia Homeowners
Use marine grade or stainless steel hardware. Standard steel brackets and screws will corrode in the DMV in a season. This is because the stainless or galvanized hardware will last much longer, particularly within a few miles of the Chesapeake Bay or any tidal waterway.
Plan for wind. Partial extension of the shade panel provides a lot of wind leverage, which many homeowners don’t realize. Side guide channels on roll blinds as noted, and carefully adhere to manufacturer’s wind speed recommendations. The motorized shades include wind sensors that allow the shades to automatically roll up when the wind is blowing.
Allow for ventilation. Avoid completely covering a patio area without ventilation. In the summer months, the DMV gets so humid that there’s no way to escape from the fully sealed areas. Don’t hang drop shades from the bottom; use an open-weave fabric for at least one shade.
Size correctly. If panels are too small, the effect of the shade is reduced. Heed these tips for sun shades for Maryland and VA decks: If you’re looking for a sun shade, go for the wider ones that overlap the structure rather than smaller ones that leave gaps for the afternoon sun.
Ready to Shade Your DMV Deck the Right Way?
Not only do the right outdoor patio blinds block out the sun, they also increase the use of your deck or patio by weeks at either end of the season, cut glare and heat from entering your home, and make your Maryland or Virginia home more valuable.
Here at BuyHomeBlinds.com, we offer a range of outdoor roller blinds, sun blinds and patio blinds that are designed to work in actual conditions in the DMV. From screened porches in Bethesda to pergolas in Fairfax and rooftop decks in Arlington, we can help you determine the right fit, fabric, and system.
Shop our outdoor patio blind collection at BuyHomeBlinds.com and find the shade your deck deserves that will stand up to all seasons the DMV has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions: Outdoor Patio Blinds
Q: What type of outdoor patio blinds last longest in Maryland and Virginia weather?
PVC-coated polyester and solution-dyed acrylic (including Sunbrella-type fabrics) do better than other materials, given the heat, humidity, and sun that are present in the DMV, and the cold winters. Another benefit of HDPE shade cloth is that it is also suitable for open pergola applications where breathability is a key factor.
Q: Can I leave my outdoor roller shades up during winter in the DC metro area?
When used with the proper installation, weatherproof polyester or PVC-coated shades are able to survive the DMV winters, but a long winter of freezing rain or heavy snow will cause shades to last much longer if they are rolled up to survive the event. Always store or remove untreated bamboo (and other natural materials) before entering winter.
Q: Are motorized outdoor patio shades worth the cost for Virginia and Maryland decks?
Yes, for most home owners. Motorized shades with wind and sun sensors make sure to keep your investment safe and secure, particularly considering the quick arrival of storms in the DMV. They also help reduce the frequency of use as you can’t manually toggle shades when the day changes.
Q: How do I prevent mold and mildew on my outdoor deck shades in Maryland?
Use moisture resistant material (PVC coated polyester or solution dyed acrylic), leave a gap under and around shades, clean with mild soap and water solution every few months. Do not roll up the shades when they are wet from rain; if possible, allow the shades to dry out first.
Q: Can outdoor patio blinds help lower my energy bills in Virginia?
Yes. South and west facing decks and patios also benefit from being shaded directly from the sun, which helps minimize direct transfer of heat into your house through sliding doors and windows. Numerous Virginia homeowners have experienced significant savings in their cooling bills after putting in high-quality sun shades on their outdoor living areas.
Q: What's the best sun shade for a screened porch in Northern Virginia?
When you’re looking for privacy, sun control and a finished appearance for your screened porch, solution dyed acrylic drop shades or PVC roller shades will do the job. Treated bamboo woven shades can also be considered for the natural look if the porch is fully covered and protected from direct rains.