Make the Most of Outdoor Spaces (Almost) Year Round

Utah's mountain climate can be a bit of a drama queen—we’ll get blinding hot summer sunshine, blustery winds, and pristine snowscapes, sometimes in the same month. We might exaggerate, but only a little. For Park City homeowners, outdoor shading has become a way to manage these variable conditions and enjoy outdoor living spaces year-round. Today's advanced systems go beyond basic patio awnings, offering sophisticated solutions combining weather protection, UV blocking, and seamless integration with smart home technology. Let's explore how these innovations can extend your outdoor season while complementing the distinctive mountain modern aesthetic of Park City homes.

SEE ALSO: How Outdoor Roller Shades Make Your Patio a Year-Round Oasis

Why Outdoor Shading?

In a region where sunshine is abundant year-round, outdoor shading provides benefits in every season. Summer brings intense high-altitude UV rays that can damage skin and fade furnishings. Fall evenings turn chilly quickly, but the right shading system can help retain daytime warmth. Winter's low sun angle creates glare across snow-covered landscapes, which is particularly challenging for outdoor entertainment spaces. Even spring's variable weather becomes more manageable with adaptable shade solutions.

Beyond preventing your outdoor cushions from fading, quality shading systems deliver practical benefits: they create privacy without sacrificing those million-dollar mountain views, protect your outdoor entertainment system and kitchen, and, of course, help make your outdoor space more hospitable in both warm and cold seasons. 

Solution 1: Insolroll

For years, Insolroll has set the standard for reliable outdoor shading with weather-resistant fabrics and robust motor systems engineered specifically for tough environments. Their zipper retention technology keeps fabrics secure even during Park City's unpredictable wind gusts, while integrated control systems allow for automated operation based on time, temperature, or sunlight conditions.

What makes Insolroll particularly effective for mountain homes is its range of solar fabrics with varying opacity levels. These systems allow homeowners to balance light filtration, heat reduction, and view preservation. These systems have become standard features in upscale outdoor spaces, from dining areas and covered patios to poolside areas. These customizable shades can be built with Lutron or Somfy motors to integrate with your existing control systems. 

Solution 2 - KAOS by Screen Innovations

We’re excited to introduce Park City homeowners to Screen Innovations' revolutionary KAOS system—engineered specifically for the toughest outdoor environments. What sets KAOS apart is its patented V-screen retention system that ensures smooth, jam-free operation season after season. Of particular note is the Kevlar fabric option, which can stop some flying objects or even people running into them. It makes them particularly safe for children or pets that might get a little rambunctious outside. 

The system's installation efficiency is remarkable—KAOS installs in half the time of traditional outdoor shading due to its unique snap-in tube and hidden bracket attachment design. Available in nine custom powder coat colors from Anthracite to White Quartz, these shades complement any architectural style while scaling up to an impressive 24 feet wide for expansive outdoor spaces.

KAOS integrates seamlessly with Control4 and other automation platforms through its 120V AC power system, RF control capabilities, and support for wireless Zigbee protocol. For homes with existing Screen Innovations products, KAOS joins the ecosystem for unified control. Multiple mounting options (ceiling, wall, pocket) and specialized fabrics engineered for high winds make this system well-suited for Park City's variable mountain conditions.

Making the Right Choice with Show and Tell AV

Choosing your ideal shading solution means considering sun exposure (is your patio merely warm or full-on surface-of-the-sun hot?), wind patterns that treat lesser products like kites, and aesthetics that complement your home's design. Show and Tell's expertise cuts through the confusion, helping you make the right choice. 

Want to learn more? Reach out to  us here, and we'll help you sort through all the options.