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Coastal porch with white columns and retractable screens, featuring wicker furniture and ocean views across a manicured lawn

Beat The Heat: Why Exterior Mounted Shades Are Your Summer Savers

Published on April 30, 2025

The summer sun brings warmth and joy but can also turn your home into a sweltering sauna. Traditional blinds can help block some light, but they often trap heat inside, making your air conditioning work overtime. This is where exterior-mounted shades become a game-changer for summer comfort and lowering energy bills.

Here’s why exterior-mounted shades reign supreme:

  • Superior Heat Blocking: Mounted outside your windows, exterior shades act as a first line of defense, preventing sunlight from even entering your home. This significantly reduces the heat gain inside, keeping your space cooler for longer.
  • Improved Energy Efficiency: Less reliance on air conditioning reduces energy bills. Exterior shades can save you hundreds of dollars yearly on your cooling costs.
  • Reduced Glare: Sunlight streaming through windows can create annoying glare on screens and furniture. Exterior shades effectively block glare, making your home more comfortable for watching TV, reading, or relaxing.
  • Enhanced Privacy: Depending on the shade material, exterior options offer greater privacy than blinds, especially on lower floors. Enjoy the view without feeling like you’re on display.
  • Durable and Weatherproof: Exterior shades are designed to withstand the elements, unlike traditional blinds that can fade or warp in direct sunlight.

Beyond the benefits, exterior shades offer a clean and modern aesthetic, adding a touch of sophistication to your home’s exterior.

Check out the screens in action and how they significantly lower indoor temperatures. With various styles and materials, such as awnings, roll-down shades, and fabric screens, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your needs and style.

While traditional blinds still have their place, consider switching to exterior-mounted shades for ultimate summer comfort and energy savings. Your wallet and your air conditioner will thank you!

Jessica Croft | June 2024

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Retractable Screens for Kelowna and Okanagan Valley

Ask any of our clients and you’ll learn why we offer the Okanagan’s best retractable screens solutions. Whether you want to expand your living space, protect your home from insects or enjoy enhanced natural ventilation or solar shading, Phantom Screens Okanagan has the expertise and screening solutions to fit your needs.

Based in Kelowna, in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, we are the region’s leading supplier of professionally-installed retractable insect screens and retractable solar screens. Custom made to blend seamlessly with your home’s décor we have retractable bug screens for doors, windows or large openings. With a wide range of colours, mesh options and even motorized screens, we have screens for every style of home and budget. So why not give us a call at 1-888-PHANTOM for a FREE estimate?

We are open from 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday.

Please drop in and see all of our products on display in our newly renovated showroom.

We have screens for every style of home and budget.

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Areas We Serve

  • Kelowna
  • Vernon
  • Penticton
  • Kamloops
  • Sicamous
  • Salmon Arm
  • Nelson
  • Invermere
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  • Christina Lake
  • Osoyoos
  • West Kelowna
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  • Nakusp
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  • Yellowknife
  • Creston
  • Merritt
  • Kimberley
  • Naramata
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  • Chase
  • Armstrong
  • Keremeos
  • Penticton
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  • Castlegar
  • Peachland