Two of the most effective ways to improve a Southwest patio are retractable awnings and exterior retractable shades. They solve related problems, but they do it differently. Understanding that difference can help homeowners make a better investment. Choosing the wrong one, or expecting one product to solve a problem it wasn't designed for, is one of the most common reasons a patio upgrade falls...

There's a familiar experience for homeowners throughout Las Vegas and Phoenix. Your patio feels wonderful in the morning. Then 3:00 or 4:00 arrives. Suddenly, sunlight is pouring directly underneath the patio cover. The television becomes difficult to see. Everyone moves their chair. And a beautiful patio becomes uncomfortable. The problem isn't necessarily your patio cover. It's the solar angle....

When homeowners shop for exterior shades, it's natural to begin with fabric colors, motorization, and price. There's another question we believe should come first: who actually manufactures the shade you're buying? That becomes increasingly important as exterior shades get larger. It's a question that rarely comes up in a typical sales conversation. Most proposals lead with the product, not the...

For much of the country, October means packing away patio furniture and preparing for winter. In Las Vegas and Phoenix, it means something entirely different. Outdoor living season is just getting started. The intense summer heat is easing, evenings are becoming more comfortable, and homeowners throughout the Southwest are rediscovering their patios. But there is one problem that doesn't...

By Polar Shades There are plenty of companies that can sell you a window shade or awning. Far fewer can tell you: "We manufactured it." That distinction is at the heart of Polar Shades. Since 1995, we've been building shading products in Las Vegas and developing solutions for some of the most demanding sun conditions in the country. Today, Polar Shades serves customers through our dealer network...

By Polar Shades One of the questions our customers frequently ask is: "Should I purchase a retractable awning or an exterior patio shade?" The answer depends largely on where the sun is coming from and how your patio is designed. In many Southwest homes, the ideal solution may even involve both. It's a question worth taking seriously before buying, because the two products solve genuinely...

By Polar Shades There was a time when a patio shade meant manually pulling down a relatively small screen. Those days are over. Today's exterior shading systems can cover impressive openings and combine architectural design, high-performance fabrics, precision manufacturing, and sophisticated motorization. For homeowners in Las Vegas and Phoenix, that technology can transform a patio from a space...

By Polar Shades When homeowners shop for a retractable awning or large motorized patio shade, they naturally focus on fabric colors, appearance, price, and motorization. But homeowners should ask another question: who is actually installing it? Large exterior shading products aren't the same as hanging curtains or installing a small interior blind. Depending on the product and installation, they...

By Polar Shades Fall has arrived, and in Las Vegas and Phoenix that means something very different than it does in much of the country. While other regions are preparing to move indoors, homeowners throughout Nevada and Arizona are entering one of the best outdoor-living seasons of the year. Cooler mornings, comfortable evenings, football weekends, family gatherings, and outdoor entertaining make...