Awnings and Outdoor Shades for Northwest Washington
Awnings and outdoor shades can make patios, decks, pergolas, and other exterior spaces more comfortable during bright, warm, or windy conditions. These custom solutions help manage direct sunlight, heat, glare, privacy, and ultraviolet exposure while allowing you to enjoy more of your outdoor space.
Lorraine’s Window Coverings provides custom retractable awnings, exterior roller shades, and outdoor screen systems throughout Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties. Our experienced team will help you compare products, fabrics, control options, and mounting requirements before professionally measuring and installing your outdoor shading.
Explore Our Outdoor Shading Options
Retractable Awnings
Retractable awnings extend outward from the building to create overhead shade for a patio, deck, window, or doorway. When shade is not needed, the awning retracts toward the mounting surface.
Retractable awnings are especially well suited for:
- Open patios
- Decks
- Outdoor dining areas
- Seating and conversation areas
- Windows and doors with strong overhead sunlight
- Spaces where permanent roof construction is not desired
- Creating a defined shaded area outdoors
Awnings are available in different projections, widths, fabrics, frame finishes, valance styles, and operating systems. The appropriate size depends on the mounting surface, desired coverage, sun direction, and physical conditions of the property.
Exterior Roller Shades
Exterior roller shades lower vertically to help manage sun, heat, glare, and privacy across windows, doorways, patios, pergolas, and covered outdoor openings.
Screen fabrics are available in different colors and openness levels. A more open weave may preserve a clearer view, while a tighter weave may provide greater sun reduction and daytime privacy.
Exterior roller shades are especially well suited for:
- Covered patios
- Pergolas
- Porches
- Large exterior openings
- Windows receiving strong direct sunlight
- Outdoor kitchens
- Seating areas
- Openings where preserving the view is important
Exterior shades may use an open guide, cable guide, side track, or zipper-track system, depending on the product and performance requirements.
Zipper-Track Outdoor Screens
Zipper-track screens use fabric edges that remain captured inside vertical tracks. This provides greater stability and helps reduce gaps along the sides.
Zipper-track screens are especially well suited for:
- Covered patios and porches
- Pergolas
- Wide exterior openings
- Areas exposed to moderate breezes
- Spaces requiring improved fabric stability
- Outdoor rooms where reduced side gaps are preferred
- Projects where sun protection and insect deterrence are both priorities
A zipper-track system can help create a more defined, room-like outdoor area. It does not convert an exterior space into a climate-controlled or fully weatherproof room.
Products must be operated according to manufacturer guidelines and retracted during conditions that exceed their rated limits.
Compare Outdoor Shading Options
| Shutter Style | Coverage | Particularly Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Height | Covers the entire window | Privacy, bedrooms, living rooms, and coordinated whole-home designs |
| Café-Style | Covers the lower portion of the window | Street-level privacy while preserving natural light from above |
| Tier-on-Tier | Separate upper and lower panels | Flexible privacy, light control, and independent operation |
| Traditional | Usually narrower louvers with classic proportions | Historic, cottage, and traditionally styled interiors |
| Wide-Louver | Broad louvers with a more open appearance | Transitional and contemporary interiors and wider views |
Why Choose Outdoor Shading?
Outdoor shading addresses sunlight before it reaches the interior glass or seating area. Depending on the product and installation, it can help create a more comfortable environment without permanently enclosing the space.
Potential benefits include:
- Shade for patios, decks, and outdoor seating
- Reduced direct sunlight and radiant heat
- Greater control over glare
- Ultraviolet protection for furnishings and finishes
- Increased daytime privacy with select screen fabrics
- A more comfortable outdoor dining or gathering area
- Reduced direct sun near windows and patio doors
- Manual and motorized operation
- Custom sizes, fabrics, and frame finishes
- Clean, architectural styling
The results will vary based on sun direction, fabric, product type, installation, weather conditions, and the design of the outdoor space.
Featured Outdoor Shading Products
Quality Brands Selected with Care
We partner with respected manufacturers known for design, innovation, reliability, and product support. Working with multiple brands allows us to recommend solutions across a range of styles, performance needs, and budgets. Instead of applying the same product to every project, we help you compare the features and materials that make sense for your particular space. Available brands, collections, fabrics, finishes, and operating systems may vary.
Interior Shutter Features
Custom Measured and Professionally Installed
Personal Service From Consultation Through Installation
Once you select your window treatments, our team takes precise measurements and coordinates the ordering process. When the products are ready, our professional installers mount, align, and test each treatment before explaining its operation and care.
This full-service approach provides:
Personalized design guidance, accurate window measurements, products custom ordered for your space, professional installation, motorization setup when applicable, product operation and care guidance, and continued assistance after
installation.
Step 1:
Explore your options
Visit our showroom or contact us to discuss your project.
Step 2:
Schedule A free consultation
We evaluate your windows, design preferences, and functional needs.
Step 3:
Professional measuring & ordering
We confirm the details and order treatments made for your windows.
step 4: Professional installation
We install, test, and demonstrate your finished window treatments.
Visit Our Bellingham Showroom
Compare Window Treatments in Person
Pictures and samples are helpful, but operating a shade or seeing a fabric in natural light can make choosing much easier. Our Bellingham showroom features more than 40 displays, allowing you to compare blinds, shades, shutters, drapery, motorized products, and other custom solutions in person.
Our designers can walk you through differences in materials, light filtration, privacy, durability, and operating options. You can also experience motorized window treatments firsthand and explore options from Hunter Douglas, Springs Window Fashions, Alta, Lafayette Interior Fashions, Norman, and more.
Showroom Address:
410 W. Bakerview Road, Suite 101
Bellingham, WA 98226
Frequently asked questions
An awning extends outward to create overhead shade. An outdoor shade lowers vertically to block sunlight, glare, or views across a window or exterior opening.
Yes. Solar screen fabrics are available in different openness levels. More open fabrics typically preserve a clearer view, while tighter fabrics generally provide greater light reduction and privacy.
Select screen fabrics can provide daytime privacy, particularly when it is brighter outside than inside the screened area. Privacy can reverse at night when lights are on behind the screen. Outdoor screen fabric should not be treated as complete privacy at all times.
Some retained-track screen systems can help deter insects when lowered and installed with minimal gaps. Results depend on the product, tracks, bottom closure, structure, and surrounding openings.
Outdoor products have specific operating and wind limitations. Zipper-track systems generally provide more fabric stability than open roller shades, but no retractable shade should be considered suitable for every wind condition. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and retract products when conditions exceed their ratings.
Retractable awnings are primarily intended for shade. Some fabrics may resist light rain, but an awning should not be treated as a permanent waterproof roof. Follow the manufacturer’s rain, wind, pitch, drainage, and operating guidelines.
Yes. Many outdoor shades and retractable awnings offer motorized operation. Available controls may include handheld remotes, wall controls, compatible mobile systems, and select sun or wind sensors.
Some systems use plug-in power, while others may require hardwired electrical service. Power requirements depend on the motor and installation. Electrical work must be completed by a qualified professional when required.
Care instructions vary by fabric and manufacturer. Routine maintenance may involve removing loose debris and gently cleaning with approved products. Avoid harsh chemicals, pressure washing, or abrasive tools unless specifically allowed by the manufacturer.
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- NICK SADIGH BMG
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- NICK SADIGH BMG
