Motorized or Manual · Made to Size
Drop Shades & Awnings
Shade the afternoon sun. Keep the view.
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Measure & quoteFree
Fabric types3
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Blocks Up to 90% of Solar Heat
Manufacturer rating for sun-facing windows, depending on fabric. Exterior shades stop the sun before it reaches the glass. Blinds inside can’t.
Where it works
Where Do You Need Shade?
Patio & Pergola
A shaded, wind-protected outdoor room, even on the hottest afternoons.
Windows
Stops west and south sun before it reaches the glass.
Outdoor Dining
Restaurant patios: comfortable guests, longer seasons, furniture kept out of the UV.
Balcony & Deck
Privacy and shade from the fascia, rolled up out of sight for the view.
How it works
Two Visits, Made to Size
Custom shades take two visits. We measure first, then come back to install.
Measure
30 min
We measure each opening and help you pick the fabric, the color, and a motor or a crank.
Made to size
Built to order
Your shades are built to your measurements with your fabric and motor setup.
Install
1-3 hours
We mount the housing and side tracks, wire any motors, and test everything before we leave.
Pricing
Motorized or Manual
Both are made to size and quoted after a free measurement.
Motorized
Quoted on-site
Raise and lower your shades with a remote or a switch.
- Remote control operation
- Wall switch option
- Smart home integration
- Smooth tubular motor
- Optional wind sensors
Manual
Quoted on-site
A simple crank. Same shade, no wiring.
- Crank-operated
- Budget-friendly
- Same sun protection
- Simple maintenance
- No electrical needed
Included with both
- Wind-rated side tracks hold fabric taut
- Powder-coated aluminum housing
- Weather-resistant construction
- Custom sizes to fit any opening
Our workmanship
No time limit on our workmanshipFast callback
We call back within 1 business day
Fabrics
Choose Your Fabric
Each spot calls for a different material. We help you pick the right one.
- 1-10% openness
Solar Mesh
See-through fabric that cuts glare and heat and keeps your view of the yard or pool. Comes in several openness levels.
- Maintains outward visibility
- Cuts glare (rating varies by fabric)
- Airflow-friendly
- Best for patios & living areas
- 0% openness
Blackout / Privacy
Opaque fabric for bedrooms, media rooms and street-facing windows. Blocks nearly all light through the fabric.
- Opaque, room-darkening fabric
- Maximum privacy
- Ideal for bedrooms
- Street-facing windows
- Weather-rated
Acrylic
Solution-dyed outdoor fabric in vibrant colors that resist fading. The go-to for pergolas and patio covers.
- UV & weather resistant
- Vibrant color options
- 8-12 year fabric life
- Best for pergolas & patios
- Google
“San Diego Mobile Screens did an excellent job from start to finish. The whole process was easy, professional, and efficient, and the quality of the work was exactly what I was hoping for.”
Milos A.September 2026 · on Google
Common Questions
They help. Depending on the fabric, exterior shades are rated by the manufacturer to block up to 90% of solar heat on sun-facing windows, stopping it before it reaches the glass. West-facing and south-facing windows show the biggest difference. How much that saves on cooling depends on your home, so we don't promise a number.
Yes, and that's one of the most popular applications. We mount them to the fascia or beam of your patio cover so they roll down vertically around the perimeter. This creates a shaded, wind-protected outdoor room usable even on the hottest summer afternoons.
Our shades with side-track systems handle moderate wind without issues. For stronger gusts like Santa Ana conditions, we recommend retracting the shades. Some motorized systems include optional wind sensors that automatically retract when wind speeds exceed a set threshold.
Quality solution-dyed fabrics typically last 8-12 years in direct San Diego sun before showing noticeable fading or wear. The motor and mechanical components generally outlast the fabric. When it's time, we can re-fabric an existing system without replacing the housing or motor.
Related guides
Ready to Shade Your Afternoons?
Free measurement visit. No obligation. We’ll help you pick the fabric and the motor.