Outdoor Window Shades And Blinds
Exterior window shading was considered a luxury at one time but has recently become a standard in most new home construction above the 49th parallel. It is ideal for cabins, homes, restaurants, resort properties and anywhere that it is desirable to extend the outdoor barbeque season by 3 to 4 months without any additional heating required. Often used for patios, garages, gazebos & outdoor dining areas, they are an effective way of controlling heat, wind, insects & glare as well as damaging UV rays before they can penetrate the building envelope.
Typically the most effective and suitable product is a commercial rated roller shade combined with a perforated screen fabric. Smaller openings can be treated using light commercial shading systems that run along guide wires to keep from being damaged in the wind. Larger openings are best treated using “zipper” system and locations with higher wind should always be treated using a “keder” (welting system) within side channels to ensure the stability of the fabric, keeping edges tight and within the guide channels for year round usage.
Note that not all exterior shading is created equal so GiCor offers and displays a range of solutions for every circumstance, application, budget and lead times.
Controls options can be either manual crank OR the more preferred method using electronic shading motors. This option includes obstacle detection features and a variety of technologies that allow for control via remotes, switches, smart phones, home automation & of course voice control. , Other options include sun / heat sensors to automatically lower shades at a specified threshold in order to maintain a consistent temperature inside and out. Wind sensors can also be added to retract the shades in high wind conditions at a moment’s notice. Power options include low voltage, line voltage and now “SOLAR” for even the largest of openings.
It is also worth noting that by installing exterior shading directly in front of windows (on the exterior) can reduce heat by up to 50% depending on the fabric selected. This is a standard in Europe and only starting to catch on here in North America.
Progressive - Magnatrack Screens
Fabricated by Frasershading Systems
A Canadian owned company
Typical lead times are 5 weeks
*MAGNATRACK! is the BMW of all exterior shading systems. It is the best of the best, engineered in the USA and fabricated around the world, there is no heavier and more reliable system available in the market today. Magnatrack incorporates a patented track system that overcomes inherent hangup issues, re-wrapping and dislodging from side tracks that ALL other ZIPPER systems incur! Internal Neodymium magnets allow the inner track to free float with no mechanical fasteners. This feature means that the system self-adjusts during expansion and contraction from fluctuating temperatures as well as in high wind loads. GUARANTEED to outperform any competitive product and built to last a life time!
*Obstacle Detection Motors! Progressive Screens has partnered with Gaposa (Italian) motor option for the only triple-try obstacle detection. These motors combined with the MagnaTrack system, mean issue free, user friendly, and self adjusting installations resulting in the #1 Motorized Screen system available. Unmatched performance and designed to enhance your outdoor living area. Simu and Somfy obstacle detection motors are also available with the MagnaTrack system. All motors are compatible with smart phones & third party automation systems.
Remember, mounting and electrical details vary from application to application so call us as early on in the project as possible to ensure that your installation turns out just the way you envisioned.
Features & Benefits
- Magnatrack screens are available in sizes from 3 feet to 30 feet wide x 20 feet high, depending on the system & fabric selection
- Magnatrack Clear is available in sizes from 3 feet to 26’ wide x 18 feet high
- Two headbox sizes available: 6” & 8” heights
- Recessed / concealed applications also available
- Side channels can be jamb or face mounted
- Side channel width can be as small as 2-3/4″ wide
- Hardware finish choices: White, Ivory, Beige, Silver Pearl, Bronze & Night Sky (black). Custom powder coat finishes also available
- No light gap at side channels for complete edge blackout system if required
- Can serve as an operable insect screen or room divider.
- Only available in motorized control
- Provides excellent protection from high wind loads
- Child safe triple obstacle detection motors used
- Weighted & Hurricane weighted hem bars offered to stabilize shade during operation & high wind conditions
- Available with RTS (radio series) or standard switched motors
- Product designed for exterior and interior use
Talius - Habitat Shades
Fabricated by Talius
A Canadian owned company
Typical lead times are 5 weeks
Talius exterior “Habitat” shades offer a mid range price point with 4 product categories; Habitat for openings up to 19 feet wide x 14’ high, Habitat XL for openings up to 23’ wide x 14’ high, Habitat Clear for width up to 10’ wide x 10’ high & Habitat Plus (guide wires) for systems up to 19 ‘ wide x 14’ high.. Rated for wind loads in the 60 to 80km range, Talius shades are ideal for enclosing in spaces with moderate wind loads OR where exterior shading (against the building) is required. Control options include both crank & motorized which is definitely the more preferred method. Somfy motors are the standard for Talius and include their single obstacle detection feature. Somfy motors incorporate a variety of technologies that allow for control via remotes, switches, smart phone, home automation & voice control. Other options include sun / heat sensors to automatically lower shades at a specified threshold in order to maintain a consistent temperature inside and out. Wind sensors can also be added to retract the shades in high wind conditions at a moment’s notice.
With respect to fabrics, not all are created equal however most screen fabrics are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. A fabric range of 5% to 20% open is generally suggested for most applications however tighter weaves or clear Vinyl is also an option for spaces where a year round usage is desired. Each fabric provides a varying degree of protection from heat, glare and insects. Darker colored fabrics provide a better view outside than lighter fabrics.
Remember, mounting and electrical details vary from application to application so call us as early on in the project as possible to ensure that your installation turns out just the way you envisioned.
Features & Benefits
- Available in sizes from 3 feet to 23 feet wide x 14 feet high, depending on the system & fabric selection
- Two headbox sizes available: 6” – Habitat & 8” Habitat XL & Habitat Plus
- Side channels can be jamb or face mounted
- Side channel width can be as small as 2.25″ wide
- Hardware finish choices: White, Beige, Brown, Silver & Black. Custom powder coat finishes also available
- No light gap at side channels for complete edge blackout system if required
- Can serve as an operable insect screen or room divider.
- Can be crank operated or motorized
- Provides moderate protection from wind
- Child safe obstacle detection motors used
- Weighted hem bar to stabilize shade during operation
- Available with RTS (radio series) or standard switched motors
- Product designed for exterior and interior use
Cabana style curtains surround this open roof top patio to create a cozy & privacy space for entertaining
Lakeview getaway with massive heat gain thru these windows. Talius crank operated Habitat screen with custom made fixed framed panels
Draper overhead motorized patio shades offering shade on demand
everything else
Exterior shading comes in all shapes & sizes becuase no two projects are the same. Sometimes the client has as existing wooden structure that they want us to mount to, other times they want something more decorative to provide some privacy from the neighbors however its never needed when the weather turns bad.
The we have clients that want to create banner style tensioned shades to provide permanent (seasonal) shading while creating a bright / inviting space for the barbeque / patio season.
Other styles
- Sail Shades (tensioned)
- Fixed shading panels (framed) ideal for angled windows
- outdoor drapery panels
Colourful “sail shades” compliment this beachside patio
Infinity Canopies manual system offering retractable shading for open patios
As with all shading products there are typically MANY factors to consider including mounting options, structural support, level surfaces, available power locations & most of all, the clients vision! Let GiCor help you to achieve the best possible solution for your exterior shading needs. Email to sales@gicor.com OR call 1-866-664-4267
Videos
Interior / exterior shading install at Cactus Club Crowfoot in Calgary. Corradi summit shades installed inside existing shade pockets. in front of sliding glass walls make this the perfect summer dining experience!
Interior / exterior shading install at Cactus Club West Edmonton Mall. Magnatrack motorized patio shades installed in front of sliding glass walls creating an oasis dining experience.
GiCor compilation of Magnatrack exterior shading installations (2016 thru 2022)
GiCor installation at Spruce Meadows – 12 exterior motorized shades treating these SW facing windows to reduce excessive heat gain during the summer months
GiCor installation of exterior shades creating privacy for the cigar lounge patio at Chairmen’s Steak House
GiCor installation of motorized exterior shades used to enclose this covered patio, creating a 4 season barbeque experience.
BROCHURE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Installation & Maintenance
Outdoor shades are considered to be any type of shade that provides protection from UV, heat, wind, rain, snow & other exterior elements that need to be tamed on demand
The benefits of installing outdoor shades vary from project to project & of course what the client is ultimetely trying to achieve for the space. Outdoor shades can provide privacy, protection fro all types of weather elements as well as increase the use of an outdoor space from seasonal to year round.
Outdoor shades can provide exceptional insulation value in both warmer & colder months. During summer months, a screen shade installed against the house can reduce heat by up to 25% of the external temperature
Outdoor shades are suitable for patios & decks and can provide exceptional shading, privacy & protection from the elements outside
Outdoor shades can protect patio furniture from harmful UV rays as well as damage from snow, rain & incliment weather
Outdoor shades are durable & can offer decades of enjoyment when the right fabrics are chosen & shades are used according to manufacturer’s recommendations
Outdoor shades can provide a great degree of privacy when suitable fabrics are selected. More open weaves are typically used when greater air flow is desired however provides a lesser degree of privacy versus a tighter fabric weave
Outdoor shades are idal for Canada’s winter months. They can be used to extend the outdoor & barbeque season to 3 or 4 seasons depensing on the space & whether patio heaters are incorporated into the space
Outdoor shades are available in economy / builder grades to commercial rated products. Builder grade systems are typically designed to withstand sustained 60 to 70km wind loads where commercial systems can handle up to 120 km winds, of course at a higher price point.
GiCor carries a full line of outdoor shades, designed to treat a variety of applcations, uses & budgets
Zipper Shades
Zipper shades incorporate a heat sealed zipper along the vertical edges of patio shades which travel along a PVC guide / side channel. These are designed for low to medium wind loads
Zipper shades can provide a good degree of privacy however the tighter the fabric weave, the less sustained wind load the shade can handle
Zipper shades can be made with a manual crank operator or incorporate a motor for larger shades. Control systems include remotes, wall switches, sun & wind sensors as well as smart home interfaces with voice control
Outdoor shades are suitable for patios & decks and can provide exceptional shading, privacy & protection from the elements outside
Patio Shades
Patio shades can be used for a variety of applications from sun & wind protection, increased privacy as well as to keep spaces free from bugs, leaves & inciment weather
Patio shades can be customized to fit most spaces.Extremely large openings are often divided to accommodate maximum system widths & create more flexibility when using shades to black sun, heat & wind loads
Patio shades are ideal for creating privacy between neighbors & adjscent buildings
Patio shades can be used to create 3 & 4 season spaces within residential & commercial spaces
Patio shades can be installed in Canada throughout the year as long as surfaces are free from ice & snow and temperatures are above the 10 to 15c degree threshold
Outdoor Patio Shades
Outdoor patio shades are typically made with high grade aluminums, outdoor fabrics and electronics designed for large temperature swings
Outdoor shades can provide protection from harmful UV rays for both indoor and outdoor furniture
Outdoor patio shades are designed to withstand most extreme weather conditions
Outdoor shades can be made to incorporate motors as well as a variety of control systems including remotes, switched, home automation & voice control
Outdoor Patio shades can provide decades of enjoyment when used according to the manufacturer’s recommendations
Outdoor Enclosures
Outdoor enclosures are available in a variety of styles & designs, each created for specific appliocations & usages
When combined with suplimentary heaters, most outdoor shading systems can be designed to extend the patio season to a year round space
With the right fabric selection, outdoor enclosures can be designed to protect against insects, leaves & incliment weather
Most outdoor shading systems that are made in Canada are designed for Canadian weather
Outdoor patio shades are standard in most new home construction
Outdoor enclosures increase the value of any home when properly selected & installed by professionals
Outdoor Louvered Roof Systems
Outdoor Louverered roof systems are often referred to as “Aluminum Pergolas”
Louvered roof systems can be operated using manual cranks or motorized tilt motors
Louvered roof systems can be operated using manual cranks or motorized tilt motors
Not all louvered roof systems are created equal. Products made in Canada are typically suited for Canadian winters & can handle snow loads over the winter months. Systems that are made outside of Canada may or may not be reated for heavy snow loads and the typical Canadian climate
Louvered roof systems are designed to tilt open and closed & anywhere in between so can provide a full range of shading & ventilation on demand
Louvered roof systems (motorized) can be integrated with most home automation platforms including Control5, Crestron, Elan as well as Google Home & Amazon Alexa
Louvered roof systems are designed to fully close, protecting those underneath from rain, snow and inciment weather. They are also designed to drain out of the vertical posts on most higher end systems.
Louvered roof systems can be installed in most Canadian cities. Some areas with heavy snow falls may need to have louvers in the open position during the winter months
Louvered Roofs
The main advantages of louvered roof systems are shelter from rain, snow and excessive / direct sunlight. In addition, louvers can be tilted to the closed postion to provide 4 season storage of outdoor furnishings
There are a wide variety of louvered roof systems available however not all systems are suitable for Canadas temperature swings, snow load & high wind loads
Louvered roof systemsare fully customizable and can be fabricated to fit most spaces. Upgrades include LED lighting, integrated heaters, audio / speakers as well as integrated vertical patio shades
Outdoor Awnings
Outdoor awnings are typically used to provide shelter from direct sunlight & light rainfall
Awnings can provide shading when installed over exterior windows, therby shltering the glazing from excessive heat build up
Outdoor awnings are designed to be retractable using crank operators or motorized for added convinience. Wind sensors can also be added to retract awnings automatically during high wind events
Outdoor awnings can be motorized, allowing for easy deployment & automatic retraction during high wind events
Outdoor awnings can be motorized, allowing for easy deployment & automatic retraction during high wind events
Awnings are designed to provide exceptional shade over patios and backyards, keeping families and friends comfortable during the warmer months
Awnings can be installed directly to the exterior of most structures as long as there is suitable backing / structure in place to handle the stress caused by high wind load events
Awnings
There are a wide range of awnings available including traditional skirted awnings, modern cassette awnings as well as newer models offering an integrated drop down shade at the front end
Retractable awnings offer the most flexibility and can be easily retracted and stored over the winter months versus a full removal of the fabric for storage
Awnings can last several decades as long as they are properly maintained, not left out in high wind events and cleaned with the recommended solutions to prevent mold and mildew growth over the seasons
Awnings can contribute a significant amount of shading, resulting in energy savings versus the cost of air conditioning
Outdoor Canopies
Outdoor Patio Enclosures
The term outdoor patio enclosures typically means a structure that has a roof & 4 sides, allowing the client to completely enclose their outdoor space
Patio enclosures can typically be used year round as long as they are designed to handle heavier snow fall & higher wind loads which can occur randomly throughout the entire year
Patio enclosures can be designed to protect against all weather conditions as well as to eliminate insects altogether within the space
Patio enclosures can definitely increase the value of a property as long as it is properly designed for the area.
Patio enclosure are designed to be fully customizable to suit most spaces & conditions
Patio enclusres are well suited for the Canadian market. There are many products available, each designed to provide protection from direct sunlight, excessive heat, glare as well as all types of incliment weather
Patio enclosures can be designed to extend the patio season or as a year round space providing that a supplimentary heat source is used during the colder months
Outdoor Roller Shades
Outdoor roller shades are typically heavier than interior shades. The hardware should be non-corrosive & designed for higher humidity levels. Fabrics should be designed to repel moisture and dry quickly
Outdoor roller shades can provide exceptional sun protection when the right / most suitable fabrics are selected
Outdoor roller shades available at GiCor are designed exclusively for the outdoor market, fully backed by the manufacturer’s warranty
Outdoor roller shades can be operated manually or motors can be incorporated for added convinicnce
Patio enclosure are designed to be fully customizable to suit most spaces & conditions
ALL GiCor outdoor roller shades are designed for the Canadian market
Several styles of outdoor roller shades can be fitted with side channels and special fabric panels allowing these shades to be deplyed in higher wind loads. GiCor carries a wide range of shades from builder grade to hurricane proof outdoor shading systems
Outdoor Drapery
Outdoor drapery are decorative drapery panels using outdoor rated fabrics – made to withstand direct sunlight, high UV & are quick to dry should they be expossed to rain
Outdoor drapery can be used in most outdoor shading structures
Outdoor drapery fabrics should be designed for extended use in direct sunlight, high UV & most incliment weather. It is recommended that outdoor drapery fabrics be brought in during winter months
Outdoor drapery can be used to provide additional privacy, shading from direct sunlight & if the right fabric is selected, these drapery panels can enhance any outdoor space
Outdoor drapery should be machine washable and hang to dry. Outdoor drapery should be removed and stored during the winter months
Outdoor drapery is suitable for most outdoor spaces however caution should be used to ensure that you are chosing fabrics that are designed for direct sunlight, higher UV and dry quickly to prevent mold & mildew growth
Outdoor Horizontal Shades
Outdoor horizontal shades are a specialty – tiltable louvered product designed to divert direct sunlight into the back of a commercial space
Horizontal shades are different from standard roller shades because they are designed to tllt and thereby divert the sun versus filtering it through a fabric medium
Outdoor horizontal shades are not suitable for pergolas as they are not designed to withstand higher wind loads and other types of incliment weather
Horizontal shades are designed to tilt thereby reducing glare and diverting direct sunlight
Horizontal shades can be motorized and integrated with most home automation plaatforms
Outdoor horizontal shades are not designed for high wind or snow loads so are best used during warmer months and only when shading is required otherwise this product should be left in the raised position while you are away
Walkout Patio Shades
Walkout patio shades are typically a roller style shade (primarily designed for outdoor use) which provide privacy on demand, protection from wind & other incliment weather patterns and entend the patio season for most clients
Wlakout patio shades can be used to increase privacy providing that the appropriate fabric is chosen
Walkout patio shades can greatly reduce heat & glare inside a home providing that the apprpriate fabric is selected
ALL GiCor walkout patio shades are designed for outdoor use and can provide decades of enjoyment as long as the apprpriate system and fabrics are used
ALL GiCor walkout patio shades can be fully customized to fit most requirements & conditions
Walkout patio shades are very popular in Calgary given the number of sunny days & the chance of incliment weather systems that pass through over the calendar year
Patio Blinds
The term patio blinds is a very broad term that encompasses a variety of outdoor shading systems, all designed to fullfill a specific need
Patio blinds & patio shades are
Patio blinds can provide a varying degree of privacy and shading depending on the fabric selected
Most patio blinds can be motorized and integrated with home automation platforms
ALL GiCor walkout patio shades can be fully customized to fit most requirements & conditions
ALL GiCor patio shades are designed for Canadian patios. Ask one of our talented sales people for assistance on your next project
Outdoor Blinds
Outdoor Blinds are used for a variety of functions including heat & glare reduction, privacy, protection from wind, rain & other incliment weather events. Outdoor blinds are also ideal to eliminate insects within a deck or enclosed space
Brands We Carry
