Blinds, Shades and Shutters - Solar Shades for outside of house mount

Looked into purchasing outside mount solar shades but they are just cost prohibitive so I was wondering if you could make a roller shade that can be lowered in spring and summer and raised in winter to allow sun into house?

What type of material would you use to make a solar shade roller: pvd, steel rod, etc?

Could you buy ends and brackets so they could be mounted and where would you purchase these items?

Thanks again for all your useful advicd. Jen

Jen, I doubt any roller rods would work for an exterior mount. I was glad you linked that ezsnap website with the solar shades and snap buttons. I emailed them and asked a couple questions but they didn't respond. I didn't like their black buttons, in the winter when we remove the screens, we would have these unsightly black circles all over our window frames. :D Anyhow, they were too expensive with their little mounts and shipping. :)

Here's what I ended up doing. I bought some super solar screens, blocks up to 90% and I ordered some 3M dual locks. HomeDepot sells them online, search for Phifer super solar. The 3M DLs are like velcro but much better, best way to describe would be those tollway EZPass mounts for windshields. I will be putting the solars up to attach with the 3M. The 3Ms are clear so it would look fine from a distance. That is the best method for our home. Depending on how many windows you will be doing, I think that is the most affordable way.

Mapson, Did you purchase your solar screen from Home Depot? The dual locks are definitely something to look into. When I get to HD, not located in our town, I will go check this out. Thanks for the into. Jen

I purchased the Super Solar 90 from a local Lowes, the local HD does not carry any of the solar screens. HD Online would be my second option if Lowes didn't have any. HD Online has a variety of width sizes for the larger windows/openings. HD Online is Phifer brand, Lowes is New York Wire brand.

I purchased the 3M dual locks at itapestore online. There's a variety there too for the 3M DLs, just check for the clear ones, if I recall correctly, I got the .63" wide SJ4570. It's coming tomorrow so I'll see about putting it up on the windows within the next couple days.

Mapson, Are you putting the tape on the outside of your windows rather than the wood or vinyl part of the window? Can you remove the tape that is on the windows without leaving a film? Will this tape work on wood? Can you remove the tape from the screening when you remove the screening during the winter months? Please let me know how all of this works. Thanks for all your advice. Jen

I will attach the screen to the vinyl frame of the window. Can the tape remove without leaving a film? Haven't tested it out, so I can't answer. My guess is it will not come off easily, remember I do want a good secure mount for the screen onto the window.

The 3M adhesive should stay attached to the screen for reuse next time as long as one does not rip off the screen carelessly. I would remove the screen by holding the edge of the 3M DL to remove whenever possible, not just ripping the screen off by grabbing the screen itself.

Do you have wood frames? The adhesive "may" present a problem, first, it may not hold over time due to the nature of wood's contracting and expanding properties, second, when it does not hold, it may even take with it some of the paint on the window that lost it's adhesion properties from sun exposure.

Can you use the solar screen on a frame with EZ brick grips? That is another option if you have brick surrounding the windows.