Outdoor & Patio Shades in Eastern Iowa — Make the Most of Iowa Summers.
Iowa summers are made for the deck and patio. Exterior patio shades and awnings turn an unusable, sun-baked space into a comfortable outdoor room.Locally Owned
by Matt & Elise Anderson
5.0
Star-Rated (~100 Reviews)
Free
In-Home Consultation
Free In-Home Consultation
The Iowa Summer Patio Problem — and How Outdoor Shades Solve It
The Problem: Iowa's warm season is short, and you want every bit of it on the deck or patio — but strong afternoon sun, glare, and heat drive you back inside, and the sun fades your outdoor furniture and cushions. Without shade, your outdoor room only works a few hours a day.
The Solution: Exterior patio shades and retractable awnings fix it. They block UV and radiant heat before it reaches you, drop the temperature, cut glare, and add privacy — turning a sun-baked deck or patio into a comfortable outdoor room you'll actually use all summer. Motorized options adjust at the touch of a button, and retract to protect them through the Iowa winter. We help you choose the right system and install it for a clean, secure fit.
Exterior Shades
Block the Sun, Keep the View
Precision-woven exterior mesh blocks UV and radiant heat before it reaches your deck or patio — dropping temps and cutting glare while preserving your view. Manual or motorized, in a range of openness factors.
Retractable Awnings
Shade On Demand, Open Sky When You Want
Retractable awnings extend for instant shade over your patio or deck, then retract for open sky or to protect them from Iowa weather. Motorized models with sun and wind sensors.
Locally Owned & Operated
Why Eastern Iowa Chooses Made in the Shade
We're local, and we do it right. Matt and Elise Anderson personally guide you from samples to measurement to installation — no big-box aisles, no call center. We know Iowa homes and what our four seasons demand: real insulation against single-digit winters, glare and heat control for warm summers, and smart-home automation done properly. Every recommendation is filtered through one question: will this look great and perform through Iowa winters and summers for years? Our 5-star reviews and warranty back it up.
Experience You Can Trust
Locally and independently owned by Matt and Elise Anderson, with a 5.0-star reputation across nearly 100 reviews. Elise brings years of design experience and a great eye; customers consistently say there's 'no guesswork' with her recommendations.
Four-Season Climate Expertise
We specialize in insulating solutions — cellular shades, shutters, and layered drapery — that lower your Alliant and MidAmerican Energy bills in both the freezing winter and the humid summer, plus solar shades that tame summer glare and UV.
Smart-Home & Installation Expertise
Matt handles precise, professional installation and specializes in smart motorized shades with Z-Wave and SmartThings integration — so your automation just works. Our warranty exceeds the big-box competition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor & Patio Shades in Eastern Iowa
How much cooler do exterior patio shades make an outdoor space?
Exterior solar shades can drop your deck or patio's ambient temperature significantly by blocking UV and radiant heat before it reaches you. In Iowa's strong summer sun, that's often the difference between a space you avoid in the afternoon and one you use all season.
They also cut glare and add privacy while preserving your view.
Can I use outdoor shades on a three-season porch?
Yes — exterior shades and screens are ideal for decks, patios, and three-season porches, blocking sun and glare and adding privacy to make the space comfortable through Iowa's warm months.
Retractable awnings add on-demand shade over open decks and patios.
Do awnings hold up over an Iowa winter?
Yes — motorized retractable awnings can include wind sensors that auto-retract in high winds, and they retract fully against the house to protect them from snow and ice when not in use.
How does the free in-home consultation work?
Call (563) 726-8040, or (319) 471-5354 for Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, and we assess your outdoor space, measure on-site, and show fabrics in your actual light. No fee, no obligation.