How Much Do Patio Shades Cost in the Huntsville, AL Area?
As winter creeps towards spring (which flies by entirely too fast) we know that the heat of summer is closing in fast.
With that, Blinds and Borders gets an influx of calls about patio shades.
Folks want to use that outdoor space - but without any coverage or sun protection, that isn’t feasible.
So you begin to dream.
It’d be nice to have some shades out here that will block the sun, cut down on the heat, and let us still look out and see the landscape.
Then chimes in the voice of conservatism.
What will this cost me? Is this even in the budget?
And that is where many of the inbound calls for patio shades begin.
We’d like patio shades, but have no idea what they cost and therefore no idea if it’s in the budget.
This article will help answer that question, provide knowledge about the options available when it comes to patio shades, a realistic look at how those options impact price, and what can be done to make your dream outdoor space more affordable.
Level Set
There’s no way to sugar coat it. Patio shades -- proper patio shades that will withstand years of outdoor existence -- are pricey. There are two main factors:
First, the opening we are needing to cover for patio shades is quite large. Think about both the height and width of your patio opening compared to an interior window. It’s pretty standard for a patio shade to be at least 8 feet wide, and 8 or more feet tall.
Secondly, the hardware for an exterior shade needs to be significantly more durable than interior shades. The mechanisms that enable the shade to function have to withstand temperature swings, moisture, wind, and all the joys of nature.
Put those two realities together, and a patio shade will be in thousands of dollars, not hundreds.
“But I saw patio shades on Amazon for $200.”
Those are probably the same Amazon shades we were recently hired to replace at a New Hope home because after less than a year, they were completely tattered, wouldn’t stay up, and without any tethering, blew around with even the slightest breeze.
There are cheap options - and if that is all your budget can afford, we aren’t here to judge. But like I’ve experienced in my own life many times, the "cheap option" is often the expensive option because it’s not durable and needs to be replaced…multiple times.
Proper, durable, quality patio shades are going to last year after year.
The only way for us to tell you how much patio shades will cost for you is to measure your space.
But we can provide some case studies you can use as benchmarks and communicate what factors into price and what alters price.
Real Clients - Real Examples
Here are a handful of recent (2026) patio shade clients we’ve served.
New Hope, AL
Summary: $5000. Two solar screen shades covering a two-sided porch, with manual crank control.
Headbox of Solar Screen Patio Shade
We received a call.
“So last year we bought some cheap shades off of Amazon to help with the sun, but they are totally falling apart, won’t stay up when we retract them, and the slightest breeze has them flopping around.”
Cost was a concern, so we made some recommendations to keep the price as low as possible.
Instead of extending the shade the full height, we suggested 60”. Stopping at 60” gives ample coverage for the goal of cutting down the sun before the height causes the price to jump by changing the price grid.
This couple wanted motorized - so we priced the shades as an open roll. No headbox can provide significant savings. After considering how that would look, they opted for a manual shade with a headbox - keeping the price at a comfortable level.
The shades are secured by a cable guide. While it is never recommended to leave exterior shades out in heavy winds, there will almost always be some kind of breeze. These cable guides will keep the shade secure, unlike what they had before.
In the end they were happy with their choices and thrilled to have a patio that will be usable all year round.
Huntsville, AL
Summary: $10,400. Two motorized shades covering a two-sided porch, permanently plugged in, with zipper track.
Cable for motorized shade
“Bugs. I don’t want any mosquitos bothering me this summer.”
That was the motive of another client.
Motorization was also a priority.
The solution was two motorized zipper track shades.
Zipper tracks are just as they sound. On the left and right there are tracks that the shade fits into. And just as you zip up a coat in the winter, the fabric has one side of the zipper, with the other side housed in the track. This zipper enclosure ensures no critters can get through when the shade is fully extended.
These shades are permanently plugged in, which prevented the need and expense of an electrician. Since outlets were already available, we used what was there – no need for rewiring.
Now, with the touch of a button on the remote, this client can get his outdoor space ready, even while still inside.
Owen's Cross Roads, AL
Motorized Solar Screen Shades with Cable Track
Summary: $14,500. Four motorized shades covering a single side, permanently plugged in.
“We just moved into a new construction home. We have a rather long porch area and need shades.”
Long, indeed.
The needs and wants of this client were straight forward. The patio is roughly 45’ long, with pillars every 12’. Similar to the first example provided, there was no need to go all the way to the ground, but this client opted for a bit more coverage.
Why? You may wonder.
Due to the positioning of this porch, the lack of trees or other houses to block the sun, and the angle at which the sun hits this side of the house, it made more sense to extend 72”.
Why 72"? Why not 71" or 73"?
72" is another pricing cut off. At or under 72" keeps the fabric price within one particular price grid. 72 1/4" would have caused a significant price jump.
The end result was four motorized solar screen shades, each a little over 11’ wide. Like the Huntsville example above, these shades will be permanently plugged in.
In addition to not needing an electrician for installation, another advantage to permanently plugged in is the flexibility for the future. If ever a shade needs to be serviced, or a change is being made to the outdoor area, the homeowner can simply unplug the shade - no need to call the electrician back out to safely disconnect wires.
These are just a few use-cases for patio shades. Every home is different. We fit the solution to your needs and preferences.
FAQs
Are patio shades cheaper if I buy online and DIY?
You can certainly find product cheaper online, as you read in our first case study above. The quality will not be the same.
What factors into pricing?
Dimensions. The larger the opening, the higher the cost.
Fabric selection. Different fabrics have different price points.
Headbox vs. Open roll. If you are okay with the look of an open roll, that’s an easy way to reduce cost.
Control type. Motorization is more expensive than manual.
Upgrades. Zipper track is an upgrade from the default of a cable guide system.
Can I afford patio shades?
Quality patio shades are expensive. There’s no way around that. The lowest we’ve seen a patio shade be for any of our customers has been right around $2500 for a single shade - that was for a relatively small patio opening.
I want to know more / how can I get a quote for my home?
The Blinds and Borders team is always happy to help. We do our best to provide an estimated price range on the phone so you know what investment range you are looking at even before anyone comes out to your home. Give us a call or shoot us a text. 256-883-1786.
