A Few Tips for Choosing External Blinds for Your Home

External blinds can help block out sunlight during summertime and also help insulate your home throughout the year, lowering your utility costs. However, these blinds will suffer more wear and tear than internal blinds, so it's important that you choose a quality product that will last and that will be easy to operate as well. Note a few tips for choosing external blinds for your home so you know you'll be happy with your choice for years to come.

Get the right material

Usually outdoor blinds are made of PVC or another type of plastic, a fabric mesh, or metal. PVC and metal are usually the easiest to clean and won't show dirt and stains as easily as fabric mesh, but they may be louder if the blinds rattle in high winds. Fabric blinds may also absorb more sound from the neighbours or a nearby freeway, so they can make the interior of the home quieter.

Note, however, that PVC and metal may also offer more protection for your windows in cases of strong storms; fabric blinds may allow in more wind and rain and even flying debris that could damage the windows or allow them to get dirty from a storm. Consider how much rainfall as well as dust is in your area versus how much noise insulation you need, so you can choose the right material.

Invest in a track

Some exterior blinds will simply lower and raise from a housing unit above the window, much like interior blinds. While these are often less expensive than those on a track, this can also mean more rattling in high winds and less protection for your windows from a potential break-in. Blinds on a track are going to be more secure when closed, so they won't make as much noise during a storm and are also harder to pry away from the window by someone looking to break into your home.

Know how much sunlight you can tolerate

If you need maximum protection from sunlight, don't choose by the colour of the blinds alone, as a fabric mesh or weave may allow in quite a bit of sunlight even if the fabric is a very dark colour. That dark colour can also trap heat inside the home, making the interior space very uncomfortable. For maximum protection against sunlight and heat, especially for those with migraines or other health issues when it comes to sun exposure, look for a solid metal panel or slats and avoid a weave or mesh pattern.

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