By Tracy, The Shade & Flag Shoppe
There's nothing like sitting out on the porch on a warm afternoon, until the sun swings around and lands right in your lap. A deck that was comfortable at ten in the morning can be too hot to use by three.
That's where outdoor roll up shades for porches, patios, and decks earn their keep. Pull your shade down when the sun is in your face, roll it back up when you want the view, and you've got an outdoor space you can actually enjoy throughout the day.
I've been sewing custom shadecloth for about 25 years, and in that time I've made rope rollup shades for porches, decks, patios, boat docks, barn door openings, and just about any opening a person wanted to shade.
When I went looking online for DIY outdoor roll up shade kits, I barely found any. Most of what's available is pre-sized, and if your opening doesn't happen to match those sizes, you're out of luck.
So I started offering made-to-order shadecloth rope rollup kits that customers can install themselves.
In this guide, I'll walk you through why these outdoor shades work so well, where you can use them, how to measure for a custom fit, and how to install them yourself. I'll also answer some of the questions I get asked most often across the counter.
Why Choose Custom Outdoor Roll Up Shades?
There are plenty of ways to block the sun, but not every option works well for a porch, patio, or deck.
Outdoor rope rollup shades offer a simple, economical way to control sunlight while keeping your outdoor space comfortable and usable.
Custom Outdoor Shades Made to Fit Your Opening
One of the biggest complaints I hear from customers is that they bought a shade somewhere else and it didn't fit.
It was too short, too narrow, or left a gap that let the afternoon sun shine right through.
With custom-sized outdoor roll up shades, you don't have to settle for whatever sizes happen to be on the shelf.
You give me your measurements, and I sew your shade to those numbers. No trimming, no making do with something that's almost right.
Whether you're shading a small porch opening or a wide covered patio, a made-to-measure shade gives you a much better fit.
Breathable Shadecloth for Porches, Patios, and Decks
One of the biggest advantages of shadecloth is that it breathes.
Our outdoor shades are made from knitted shadecloth that allows air to move through the fabric while reducing sunlight and glare.
That matters more than people think.
A solid canvas or vinyl panel blocks the breeze and catches the wind like a sail. Shadecloth lets air pass through, making it a practical choice for outdoor porch shades, deck sun screens, and patio enclosures.
It also allows rainwater to pass through instead of collecting on the fabric.
You get protection from the harsh afternoon sun without completely closing off your outdoor space.
Roll Up Your Porch Shade When You Want the View
An outdoor rope rollup shade is there when you need it and out of the way when you don't.
With a simple rope and pulley system, you pull the rope ball and the shade rolls up from the bottom.
Lower it again when you want shade or privacy.
You're not stuck looking through a screen on a cloudy day, and you don't have to take the shade down every time you want an open view.
That's one reason rope rollup shades work especially well on porches, decks, and patios where sunlight changes throughout the day.
Affordable Outdoor Shade and Privacy
Motorized outdoor shades and professionally installed systems can get expensive, especially when you're covering several openings.
A DIY rope rollup shade kit gives you a custom-sized outdoor shade without the cost of professional installation.
Because you're doing the installation yourself, you can save money while still getting a shade made specifically for your space.
If you're comfortable using a drill and a level, installing one of these shades is a manageable project.
And when lowered, the shadecloth can also provide some added privacy for your porch or patio while allowing airflow.
Where Can You Use Outdoor Roll Up Shades?
Although porches and patios are the most common places for outdoor roll up shades, they're useful for plenty of other spaces.
Over the years, I've made custom shadecloth screens for:
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Porches: Block afternoon sunlight and make your favorite sitting area more comfortable.
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Covered patios: Add sun protection and privacy without permanently enclosing the space.
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Decks: Reduce glare and harsh sunlight on exposed sides of a covered deck.
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Carports: Use shadecloth panels to help block sun and wind-driven dust.
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Boat docks: Add shade where you need it without completely blocking airflow.
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Barn door openings: Provide a breathable shade screen for large openings.
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Outdoor work areas and shops: Cut down on direct sunlight while keeping the space open to fresh air.
If you have an opening with something solid across the top and on both sides, there's a good chance a custom rope rollup shade will work there.
Because each shade is made to your measurements, you're not limited to standard store-bought sizes.
What Comes in a DIY Outdoor Roll Up Shade Kit?
I offer two styles of custom shadecloth rope rollup kits.
Both use the same basic rope-and-pulley lifting system. The main difference is how the sides of the shade attach to your posts.
Turn Button Rope Rollup Shade
The turn button style is a little wider than your opening and overlaps onto the side posts.
Turn buttons screw into the posts and twist over the edges of the shade to hold it in place.
This style gives you the tightest coverage because the shade overlaps the opening, leaving very little opportunity for sunlight to sneak through the sides.
If you're looking for outdoor porch shades with maximum sun coverage, the turn button style is often my first recommendation.
Grommet and Ball Bungee Rollup Shade
The grommet style sits between your posts rather than overlapping them.
Five grommets run down each side of the shade. The top grommet is positioned about three inches from the top, and the bottom one sits just above the bottom pocket.
Ball bungees attach through the grommets and secure the shade to the posts.
This style works well when you want your outdoor shade mounted inside the opening or when the face of your posts isn't suitable for turn-button hardware.
Both styles roll up from the bottom and can be lowered whenever you need protection from the sun.
What's Included in Your DIY Shade Kit?
Each kit includes the shadecloth rope rollup, sewn to your finished measurements.
The top edge has a spline sewn into it, allowing the shade to slide into the included awning rail.
The bottom has a sewn pocket for a weight pipe.
Your kit includes:
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Custom-sewn shadecloth rope rollup
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Awning rail cut into approximately 24-inch sections for easier shipping
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Three or four pulleys, depending on shade width
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Two or three D-rings for securing the lifting ropes
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Rope pull ball
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Rope cleat
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Enough rope for the lifting system
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Ten turn buttons for the turn-button style kit or 10 bungees for the grommet style kit.
The mounting and lifting components are designed to work together so you don't have to spend time trying to figure out which hardware to purchase separately.
What You'll Need to Supply
You'll need a few basic tools and materials to complete the installation:
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Drill
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Level
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Marker
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Mounting screws suitable for your surface
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Bottom weight pipe
The type of mounting screws you use depends on whether you're attaching your shade to wood, vinyl, or metal.
For the bottom pipe, electrical conduit or chain-link fence top rail both work well. 3/4" Pvc can also work on 10 ft wide or less but you want to cap the ends and fill with sand for the additional weight.
You can usually find these at your local hardware or home improvement store.
How to Measure for Custom Outdoor Roll Up Shades
One of the biggest advantages of ordering made-to-measure outdoor shades is getting the right fit for your particular opening.
But measuring correctly is important, and the two styles require slightly different measurements.
Take your time, and measure twice before ordering.
Measuring Width for the Turn Button Style
Measure the opening from the inside of one post to the inside of the other.
Then add 1½ inches on each side, for a total of 3 additional inches.
That extra width allows the shadecloth to overlap your posts so the turn buttons have something to hold.
For example, if your opening measures 96 inches wide, your finished shade width would be 99 inches.
This gives you better coverage and helps prevent sunlight from entering through gaps along the sides.
Measuring Width for the Grommet Style
For the grommet and ball bungee style, measure from the inside of one post to the inside of the other.
That's your finished width.
Don't add extra inches.
This shade fits between the posts rather than overlapping them.
Measuring Height for Your Outdoor Shade
For either style, measure from where the bottom of your mounting rail will sit down to where you want the bottom of the shade to hang.
That's your finished height.
If you're mounting the rail on the face of a header, measure from the bottom edge of the rail.
If you're mounting underneath the header, measure from the underside of the header.
Our DIY shade kits finish at a maximum of 86 inches in finished height. This is what the width of our fabric finishes at.
If your opening is taller, no problem I can sew a piece on to get the needed height. Just give me a call before ordering. I'd like to talk through your particular situation first.
And if your opening has something unusual, such as a railing, light fixture, or center post, send me a note or a photograph.
That's the kind of thing I'm used to figuring out with customers at the shop, and I'm happy to help online too.
Step-by-Step: How to Install Your DIY Rope Rollup Shade
Installing an outdoor roll up shade is a project many homeowners can handle themselves with basic tools.
Every kit includes a printed installation guide, but here's an overview of the process so you know what to expect.
Read through all the steps before starting.
Step 1: Mount the Top Awning Rail
The awning rail runs across the top of your opening and supports the shade.
You can mount it on the face of your header or underneath it, depending on your setup.
If you're mounting it on the face, use a level to mark a straight line before installing the rail.
Attach the sections so the track lines up evenly from one piece to the next.
A level rail is important because it helps your outdoor rollup shade hang straight and roll evenly.
Step 2: Slide in the Shade and Install the Bottom Pipe
Feed the spline sewn into the top of the shade into the awning rail from one end.
Slide the shade across until it's properly positioned.
For the turn button style, check that the shade overlaps each post by approximately 1½ inches.
For the grommet style, center the shade between your posts.
Next, slide your weight pipe into the pocket at the bottom of the shade.
Secure the pipe with a set screw through the pocket at each end to keep it from shifting.
Step 3: Attach the Sides
Pull the shade down so it hangs snugly without being overly stretched.
For the turn button style, mark the locations of the turn buttons along your posts and install them.
The buttons twist over the edges of the shade to hold it securely in place.
For the grommet style, attach ball bungees through the grommets and secure them to suitable screws or hooks on the posts.
Work evenly down both sides to keep the shade positioned correctly.
Step 4: Secure the Top Rail
Once the shade is properly positioned and the sides are attached, install a set screw into the top of the awning rail at each end.
This prevents the shade from sliding out of the track.
Step 5: Install the Pulleys and D-Rings
Decide which side of the shade you want to operate the lifting rope from.
A pull-side pulley directs the ropes down to the pull ball.
The lifting pulleys are spaced across the top according to the width of your shade.
Typically, the outer lifting ropes are positioned approximately one foot in from each end, with a center lifting rope added on wider shades.
D-rings are mounted at the top on the back side of the shade.
These provide the points where the lifting ropes are tied off.
Step 6: Run the Lifting Ropes
Each lifting rope travels through the pulley system, down the front of the shade, around the bottom pipe, and back up the rear of the shade.
The rope is then knotted securely to its matching D-ring.
Depending on the width of the shade, your kit will use two or three lifting ropes.
All lifting ropes feed toward the pull side so they can operate together.
Follow the rope-routing diagram included with your kit to make sure each rope travels through the correct pulley.
Properly spaced and evenly adjusted ropes help the shade roll up smoothly.
Step 7: Install the Pull Ball and Rope Cleat
Feed the rope ends through the pull ball, adjust them so they lift evenly, and secure them with knots below the ball.
When you pull down on the ball, the shade rolls upward from the bottom.
Mount the rope cleat on the post where the pull ropes naturally hang.
The cleat allows you to secure the ropes when the shade is raised and keeps excess rope neatly out of the way.
And that's it! Your custom outdoor roll up shade is ready to use.
Tips From 25 Years of Making and Installing Outdoor Shades
After years of installing shadecloth screens, I've learned that a few small details make a big difference.
Take Your Time Installing the Top Rail
If I had to pick one step that matters most, it's getting the top rail level.
Everything hangs from it.
Even a slightly crooked rail can cause a shade to roll unevenly or pull harder on one side.
Choose the Right Mounting Screws
A screw that holds perfectly well in wood may not work properly in vinyl or aluminum.
Choose screws specifically designed for the surface you're mounting into.
That applies to the rail, pulleys, and side attachments.
Keep Your Lifting Ropes Even
When attaching the lifting ropes to the pull ball, make sure they're adjusted evenly.
If one lifting rope is shorter than the others, that part of the shade will begin lifting first, causing it to roll unevenly.
Think Beyond Traditional Porch Shades
Don't limit yourself to using rope rollup shades only on porches.
I've made shades for carports, boat docks, barns, patios, and the open sides of workshops.
Sometimes an outdoor sun shade solves a problem in a place you wouldn't initially think to use one.
How to Clean and Care for Your Shadecloth Rollup Shades
One of the nice things about knitted shadecloth is that it doesn't require much maintenance.
Hose your shades off occasionally to remove dirt, dust, and pollen.
For stubborn spots, use a soft brush and mild soap.
Dirt left on outdoor fabric can encourage mildew growth, so keeping your shades clean helps them stay looking nice.
Allow the fabric to dry before leaving it rolled up for extended periods.
Check your lifting ropes and ball bungees periodically and replace any that show signs of wear.
If a strong storm is approaching, roll up your shades and secure them.
Although breathable shadecloth allows more air to pass through than solid material, it's still best to protect your shades during severe weather.
Also, keep weed trimmers away from the fabric. Trimmer line can quickly damage knitted shadecloth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Roll Up Shades
What is a rope rollup shade?
A rope rollup shade is an outdoor shadecloth panel that hangs from a rail and rolls upward from the bottom using a rope-and-pulley lifting system.
The bottom pipe provides weight and allows the shade to roll as the ropes are pulled.
It's a simple way to add adjustable sun protection to porches, patios, decks, and other outdoor openings.
Can I install outdoor roll up shades myself?
Yes. Our DIY shadecloth kits are designed for customers who are comfortable using basic tools such as a drill and level.
A helper can make installation easier, especially for wider shades.
Each kit comes with a printed installation guide.
Can outdoor roll up shades provide privacy?
Yes. Shadecloth can provide additional privacy while still allowing airflow.
However, the amount of privacy depends on lighting conditions and the openness of the fabric.
Like many outdoor privacy screens, visibility can change between daytime and nighttime.
What's the difference between custom and standard-size outdoor shades?
Standard-size outdoor shades are manufactured in predetermined dimensions.
Custom outdoor shades are made to the measurements you provide, allowing them to fit openings that don't match standard sizes.
This is especially helpful for older porches, unusual patio openings, and other spaces where off-the-shelf shades don't fit properly.
Which shade style should I choose: turn button or grommet?
If you want the most coverage with minimal side gaps, I generally recommend the turn button style because it overlaps onto your posts.
If you'd prefer the shade to sit inside the opening, or don't have a good surface for mounting turn buttons, such as a round post, the grommet and ball bungee style may work better.
If you're unsure, send me a photo of your space and I'll help you decide.
How long does it take to receive my custom shade kit?
Each custom rope rollup shade kit is made to order in my shop.
Production generally takes five to seven business days, plus shipping time.
Can outdoor shadecloth shades be used in wind and rain?
Shadecloth allows air and water to pass through, making it a practical material for outdoor use.
The side attachments help keep the fabric secure during normal breezes.
During strong winds or storms, the shades should be rolled up and secured.
What if my opening is taller than 86 inches?
Contact me before ordering.
Taller openings may be possible, but I prefer to discuss the measurements and installation details first to make sure the shade will work properly.
Ready to Add Custom Roll Up Shades to Your Porch or Patio?
Whether you're trying to block the hot afternoon sun from your porch, add privacy to a covered patio, or shade an unusual outdoor opening, a custom shadecloth rope rollup may be just what you need.
Our DIY outdoor roll up shade kits are made to your measurements and designed for straightforward installation.
Choose between our turn button and grommet styles, measure your opening, and we'll sew your shade to fit.
You can explore our custom shadecloth rope rollup kits at The Shade & Flag Shoppe.
Each product page includes measuring information for that particular style.
And if you're unsure which shade or mounting method will work best, reach out. I've been helping customers figure out their shade needs for a long time, and I'm always happy to help.
Thanks,
Tracy
The Shade & Flag Shoppe
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