5 Tips for Enjoying Outdoor Living In Winter

Do you love being outdoors but dislike cold weather? If so, you are not alone. Winter is a difficult season for many people who relish the outdoors, but not the cold elements. There is a reason so many of us prefer staying indoors during these short cold days, cuddled up on the couch under a blanket, watching our favorite series on Netflix instead of spending time in the wintery backyard. However, winter can be a great time to enjoy nature if you take a few steps to prepare your space for cold-weather comfort.

Motorized Patio Shades-Atlanta

Bring the Indoors Out

The key to enjoying outdoor living during colder months is bringing the indoors outside. A patio, gazebo, pergola, or enclosed porch is one of the best ways to experience the fresh air and calming sights of nature while still having the comforts of indoors. Installing quality patio shades is a good way to protect you from wind and other elements in your outdoor space. At the same time, there are some other measures you can take to enclose the area, like stapling clear plastic over windows and openings. Aside from enclosing it, there are a few easier ways you can make your space winter-friendly.

    1. Light up the Space

Whatever space you are preparing for winter use, whether it’s a gazebo, patio, or porch, stringing up some hanging lights can go a long way. Warm-toned lights are best, as they will give off a cozier and more warming glow. Some of the most effective options are café string lights, festive accent lights to add color and depth, as well as twinkle LED lights strung in bushes or trees nearby.

    1. Use Heat Lamps

Heat lamps are a bit more of an investment, but if your outdoor space is not enclosed (and you can’t use a space heater), they are a great way to keep toasty warm even on the coldest evenings.

    1. Create Your Own Warmth

Another great way to make a desirable outdoor gathering place is by installing a fire ring, firepit, or outdoor fireplace. Fires generate a lot of heat without racking up a huge electric bill. There is also something very peaceful and sometimes a little festive about sitting around a fire on a chilly winter evening.

    1. Decorate

The right furniture, decorations, and other adornments can go a long way in making your outdoor space feel more inviting. Throw a thick rug on the floor, put up a canopy, and choose some plush furniture. The warmer the colors you use to decorate (think red, orange, bronze, or purple), the cozier the space will feel. Bring out a few thick, fuzzy blankets, and you are ready to enjoy!

    1. Enclose It

Of course, nothing will give you a more enjoyable four-season outdoor space than building an enclosed patio.

Contact Peachtree Blinds of Atlanta to learn more about creating the perfect outdoor space. Or visit us online to choose from our huge selection of custom goods, including retractable screens, motorized screens, and a variety of quality porch screens that will allow you to enjoy the outdoors all year long.

5 Reasons to Install a Motorized Patio Screen in Winter

While upgrading the patio might not be the first thing most of us think of when it comes to winter projects, there are several reasons that winter is the perfect time to upgrade your patio by installing a motorized screen. Let’s take a quick look at some reasons you shouldn’t wait until spring to start improving your outdoor living space.

Atlanta Motorized Patio Shades

  1. Enjoy Spring
  2. One of the best reasons to install a motorized screen for your patio now is that the space will be ready to enjoy when spring arrives. Wouldn’t you rather be able to lounge in your patio behind your new porch screens on the first warm day than waste precious sunshine waiting for the screens to be installed?

  3. Avoid Landscaping Damage
  4. Embarking on any home renovation project always involves a lot of traipsing back and forth carrying materials and equipment. Installing your motorized patio screen in winter minimizes the damage to the lawn vegetation because it will be dormant for the winter anyway.

  5. Better Timing
  6. While you might be tempted to wait until spring to start the installation, spring weather has a few drawbacks. As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers! Waiting for spring could mean finding yourself tackling the installation in the rain. Rain often leads to mud, and the last thing you want is to be making a mess of your lawn and tracking muddy footprints in and out of your living space.

  7. Enjoy It Now
  8. Another perk of getting started right away is that you can enjoy your outdoor living space through the winter. How? Along with your motorized, retractable screen, you can also install an infrared heating system to keep the space comfy and useable all year around.

  9. Contractor Availability
  10. During spring, you may struggle to wrangle a contractor. You are much more likely to have a quick and efficient installation in winter as more contractors are available during that time. Spring is just about the busiest season for contractors, many of whom will start on bigger projects and may not prioritize your patio project.

Upgrading your patio is easier with Peachtree Blinds of Atlanta. We offer a range of custom products, including patio screens, patio shades, and even screens that block UV rays. Our Somfy Motors motorized screens come with a five-year warranty and are trusted by over 270 million people worldwide. Contact Peachtree Blinds of Atlanta today to learn more about upgrading your patio.

The Finest Qualities of Modern Indoor-Outdoor Patio Spaces

Atlanta Outdoor Patio SpacesYour patio is the transitional space that connects you to the outdoors when summer arrives. Different configurations range from completely enclosed spaces, often called four-season rooms, to screen porches and open stone patios or wooden decks by the pool. The possibilities are endless when you design your outdoor living space. If you are looking to build a new patio or improve an existing area, keep patio screens in mind, as they offer protection from the sun and mosquitoes while allowing you to enjoy the pleasures of summer life. Check out these ideas that may inspire your creativity for your new patio.

Keep It Covered

Atlanta Retractable AwningsOpen patios by the pool are a great place to get a tan, but you want part of your outdoor living space to remain free of rain. For a truly functional space that you can use any warm day of the year, be sure to invest in a roof structure or awning of some kind over your patio. Gazebos are a classic option, and many modern home designs have a covered patio built-in, but if these options don’t fit your home’s particulars, investing in a structure over your outdoor space is well worth the money.

Open Up Your Home

The dooAtlanta Motorized Patio Shadesrs that lead from your interior to the exterior space are a huge factor in combining your outdoor and indoor living areas. Consider large glass sliding doors or garage-type doors that open up your home to the outside on beautiful days. This design element often fits seamlessly with contemporary open floor plans.

Outdoor shades are a critical element to any great patio space. These screens help keep you and your guests out of the sun’s harsh rays while you enjoy the summer breeze and protection from bug bites and other little creatures that may try to invade your space. Motorized outdoor shades are a favorite because of the ease they provide in opening the space up to the outside.

Keep Design Elements Consistent

No matter what set-up you choose for your patio space, be sure to keep your overall design in mind. Just like the interior of your home, you want every part of your outdoor areas to have unique qualities but still flow from one area to another without jarring the senses. Stick with a general color scheme and use texture to create depth as you move from the enclosed patio to the deck and the garden.

When you design your patio, keep these ideas in mind and combine them with your wishes to create a space that will serve as your refuge and summer gathering spot for years to come.

Planning the Perfect Backyard Barbeque

Atlanta backyard motorized retractable screens

The temps may be cooling down, but backyard barbeques are still in full swing. Despite the Covid-19 epidemic, close friends and family are still getting together to celebrate everything from birthdays to bar mitzvahs. And as you may already know, planning a barbeque for large groups of people can be tricky and more costly than anticipated if you plan poorly. From buying the right amount of food to the placement of trash receptacles, these simple ideas will make sure your party is the gold standard among your friends and family.

  • Can I Take Your Order – In this super-convenient informational age, you can find an online barbeque planner that will help you determine meals calculated on such things as the number of adults, children, vegetarians, and even favorite meats. This first step will save you the most amount of money while still providing a satisfying meal for everyone attending.
  • The Early Bird Eats the Worm – This may seem like an obvious step, but many people overlook it in the bustle of everyday life. Inform your guests early on what you are intending to cook and ask for feedback on food allergies. Once you have all the information you need, make a complete shopping list, and buy the food.
  • Play It Again, Sam (alternatively: That’s My Jam) – Today it is easier than ever to have your favorite tunes playing in the background while you engage in outdoor social events. The cheapest way to do this is to buy a weatherproof Bluetooth speaker and play your music directly from a phone or tablet.
  • How Cool Is That – Another seemingly obvious step that can be easy to overlook is having ice and refrigeration on hand, usually in the form of portable coolers. There are plenty of barbeque designs that allow for actual outdoor refrigerators, but if you are looking for an affordable option, then coolers are the way to go.
  • Have a Seat – It’s a good idea to set up seating zones to ensure there is going to be enough room for everyone. If you have the room, add tables or stands near each zone for people to set food and drinks on.
  • How Do You Want That Cooked – It’s a good idea to separate the meat by how cooked it is. Make it easy for guests to identify the Rare, Medium, and Well-Done trays of meat. This avoids confusion, as well as throwing away expensive meat.
  • Take Out the Trash – Provide enough receptacles close by each seating zone. After filling up on food and drink, guests may not feel like a long trek to the garbage receptacle.
  • Stop Bugging Me – The biggest pest that will show up to your party is the inevitable irritating insects that gravitate to picnics and barbeques. You can buy Tiki torches and citronella candles, but they don’t work for mosquitos. One consideration is purchasing a set of motorized patio shades or motorized retractable screens, depending on where your barbeque is set up. They not only provide a bug-free zone for preparing and cooking the food, but they also keep the sun out of your eyes as the day wears on. Since you will be busy preparing food, the use of a remote control to conveniently operate your system is invaluable.
  • Turn on the Lights – Backyard barbeques can sometimes go from being an all-day affair to an evening party. Be prepared for this by distributing lighting to make it easier and safer for guests to navigate by.

You are now well on your way to throwing the best barbeque your friends and family have ever attended. Sit back and bask in the admiration as the compliments keep rolling in. One last piece of advice – make sure you’re a good cook!

5 Practical Renovations For Your Atlanta Backyard

As you are contemplating the fall season chores, you have a sudden thought – can I do more with my backyard? Can I build a structure to increase the quality of life in my home? Or perhaps you think it’s time for an upgrade to an existing patio or deck? There are few renovations that can improve both your life and your home’s value. Here are five ideas to give your backyard a facelift, while still providing a practical purpose.

 

Atlanta Backyard Landscaping

Landscape Your Backyard

Atlanta Backyard Fence IdeaThis is a great place to start when giving your backyard a makeover. Planting trees can provide practical considerations like natural shade and windbreaks, as well as adding an aesthetically pleasing touch, not to mention brilliant colors in the fall. The artistic use of large stones, flower beds, plants, and shrubbery can really bring your backyard to life. You can even color match some flowers and plants to coincide with the color of your leaves in the spring, summer, and fall.

Build a Beautiful Fence

Presenting a stylish fence to the neighborhood will certainly make your neighbors happy, as well as provide privacy from the outside world. You can find fencing to match the color and style of your home and even place gates where you want them. You can even add a small attached trellis or two to enhance your landscaping ideas.

Atlanta Outdoor Kitchen

Build an Outdoor Kitchen

Hosting social gatherings and events would be so much more refreshing if you could hold them outdoors. Turning part of your backyard into an outdoor kitchen provides a year-round place to enjoy the company of friends and family while appreciating the feel of an open-air environment, provided you also weatherize your kitchen with a covering of some kind and a set of either motorized patio shades or motorized retractable screens, depending on where your kitchen is located. These accessories will ensure you have some control over the climate inside the protective area, as well as shading you from the sun and keeping the bugs away while you prepare and eat your food.

Build a Patio Deck

This idea can turn an otherwise boring yard into a lively entertainment area. There are many sizes, styles, and colors to choose from, as well as convenience options like built-in seating, barbeques, refrigerators, and even wine coolers to store your favorite vino.

Build an Outdoor Seating Area

If space is limited, you can always design and build a seating area for small get-togethers. It doesn’t cost much to set down outdoor stones or tiles for flooring and place an outdoor furniture set atop it. Use the above-mentioned motorized patio shades or motorized retractable screens idea to give you a sense of seclusion.

There is so much more you can do with your backyard area. It is typically the most overlooked and underused area of a home. All it takes is some imagination and a desire to improve your home so that you can enjoy where you hang your hat to the fullest extent as you kick back and look out on a job well done.

Atlanta Outdoor Patio

Beat the Summer Heat in Your Own Atlanta Backyard Oasis

Enjoying time in the great outdoors has almost become mandated due to the Covid-19 epidemic. Whether you prefer fresh powder on the slopes in the dead of winter or a blazing sunny beach in July, nearly everyone has an outdoor activity that gives them solace from the trappings of their busy daily lives. The Georgia summer is upon us now, and the warm temperatures and longer days have set the scene for relaxing in the backyard to the music of chirping birds and the comfort of a warm breeze. Make the most of your at-home getaway this year by creating your refuge to escape the sun and mosquitoes while spending time outside.

outdoor space with motorized screens

Here are a few great ideas to start you on the way.

Shady Spots Can Be Easy and Economical

If you don’t have an Atlanta screened-in patio or a space with a pergola, you can still have an attractive and comfy shaded area in your yard. There is a vast selection of easy-to-install canopies available online and at stores everywhere. Some are enclosed with screens to keep the bugs out, and others are open, but either way, you will appreciate the shade on the hottest days. For a more creative approach, consider building your covering by using a boat sail and attaching it to three posts in the ground. This one will make your friends and neighbors wish they had thought of it first!

Brunch Under Your Patio Umbrella

One of the fastest and most popular ways to get a little shade while enjoying an outdoor meal is the use of patio umbrellas. Umbrellas come in an endless array of colors, styles, and sizes. Some are simply larger versions of a rain umbrella, with a pole that fits through the hole in your patio table or a portable weighted base, while others are enormous contraptions that cover an entire patio. No matter which variety you choose, patio umbrellas are a timeless backyard staple that will last for years if taken care of properly.

patio umbrella

Invest in Screens to Protect You for Years to Come

Installing patio screens is the best investment you can make in an in-home oasis to shield yourself from bug bites and UV rays while providing an extra layer of privacy. Screens allow the fresh summer breeze to keep you cool as you while away the day in your beautiful yard. Motorized outdoor shades will enable you to reap these benefits at the push of a button and offer the option to open your patio up if you wish. The best part about Atlanta outdoor shades is that they are compatible with most smart home automation systems, and can be operated with ease.

retractable screens on beautiful Forest Park porch

With these simple ideas in mind, it is very easy to create a perfect outdoor oasis with all the comforts of home. Be sure to start soon and enjoy the summer while it lasts. Contact Peachtree Blinds of Atlanta today @ (770) 664-0027 to discuss the perfect backyard shade solution.

Make the Most of Your Summer With a Motorized Screen

The summer swelter is beginning to ramp up across the country, especially in Georgia. With sunny days and rising temperatures ahead, now is the time to be making your seasonal preparations. Many people are facing the prospect of more time in their homes this summer, providing the perfect opportunity to make the space as comfortable as possible. A motorized patio or porch screen may just be the home accessory you never knew you needed, providing protection from the elements while allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors.

Patio Screens Atlanta Motorized

What Can A Motorized Screen Do For You?

Motorized screens are retractable patio shades that allow you to seamlessly screen in your outdoor living space with the touch of a button. They provide ventilation and protection from the elements (think: UV radiation and mosquitos).

Motorized screens offer the best in pest protection, solar/UV radiation protection, and privacy. A versatile addition to your exterior spaces, motorized screens and patio shades serve several purposes. Transform your outdoors with the click of a button with a motorized shade.

Patio Screens Summer 2020

Exterior Motorized Shade Applications

One of the best things about motorized screens is their versatility. Install them in any of your exterior spaces, including:

  • Screened porches or patios. Instantly create privacy and shade on your outdoor patio by installing Atlanta porch shades. A stationary screen may offer protection, but it also prevents you from enjoying the outdoors to the fullest. With a retractable shade, you can enjoy the best of both worlds with the click of a button
     
  • Garage doors. We often do home improvement projects in the garage that require ventilation. An Atlanta motorized garage screen door allows you to complete all your outdoor projects with adequate airflow while keeping pests outside where they belong.
     
  • Privacy screens. A retractable screen can help you enjoy the great outdoors while retaining some of your privacy. Enjoy a soak in your hot tub or read a book in the outdoors uninterrupted. When you’re ready, simply click a button to open up to the world again.
     
  • Your four seasons room. A motorized screen allows you to use your four-seasons room as intended—through all months of the year. In the summer, you can enjoy the evening breeze without the buzz of mosquitos or even weather a summer storm. In colder winter months add a vinyl shade in tandem with your solar mesh to close off the harsh elements.

Motorized Vinyl Shades Georgia

Benefits Of An Atlanta Motorized Screen

There has never been a better time to add a motorized screen to your Georgia home. The benefits are numerous and include:

  • Weather protection. Porch shades can provide protection from harmful UV radiation, rain, high wind, and more.
     
  • Pest protection. Enjoy evenings outdoors without the need for irritating insect repellent.
     
  • Privacy. If you want to enjoy your porch in solitude, a patio shade provides privacy with the click of a button.
     

Make Your Summer Screen Your Own

Motorized retractable screens come in a variety of styles and formats to fit your needs and personal flair. We can customize your screen based on:

  • Size. We can customize our screens to fit your porch, patio, or four-seasons room.
     
  • Style. We have options to hang with tracks or cables, whichever best fits your enclosure style.
     
  • Décor. We help you personalize your screen by matching it with your own personal home decorating style. The best screens blend seamlessly with your style such that they are virtually invisible. We offer our screens in numerous color and texture options to fit your personal flair.
     

Many Atlanta residents are preparing to spend more time at home this summer. As such, now is the perfect opportunity to consider an investment in a patio or porch screen. By adding protection, privacy, and style, a motorized screen is the perfect investment of form and function. It may just be the summer accessory you never knew you needed. Contact us today to learn more about motorized screens and installation or setup an appointment to get started.

Motorized Outdoor Shades – Lake Oconee, Georgia

This weeks motorized outdoor shade installation took place at Reynolds Plantation at Lake Oconee, Georgia. The screens were produced by Universal Motion Screens of Dallas, TX. The customer’s primary goal was to block the bugs and gain more enjoyment from their deck with an awesome view of the water. Powered by Somfy motors, the client will have the ease of a multi-channel remote which will allow them to operate the screens individually or as a group. The screen mesh is produced by Phifer who manufactures Pet Mesh; a 10 year warranty screen material that won’t rip, tear, or mildew.

Retractable porch screens Lake Oconee, Georgia

A single window was covered with a 95% solar mesh to help reduce the incredible amount of heat that was reflecting off the water. When the screen is down it reduces the temperature coming into the house by a whopping 16 degrees!

On the outside patio you will also notice Retractable Screen Doors installed on a set of custom French Doors produced by Mirage Screens. Mirage Screens offer the same resistant pet mesh which will keep the look and consistency in tact with the rest of the patio / deck area. Mirage doors are made to retract slowly to prevent injury and a safer retraction that won’t slam or pinch fingers.


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Install of Week March 1 – Motorized Screen Enclosure

This screen enclosure project took place in Lake Oconee, Georgia and incorporated many facets of screen products.

US Motion Screens covered the larger spands which measured over 18 feet wide. The decorative caps at the top and bottom of the columns where removed to allow placement of the tracks. Once installed, Peachtree Blinds installers returned that same molding to it’s original form. The power cord was strategically placed to be hidden from everyday view. Powered by Somfy motors this homeowner can utilize a multi channel remote to operate the screens.

Smaller areas were covered with ScreenEze, a patented system that provides fixed screens for large areas. Built on site by our installers ScreenEze can cover areas up to 150 square feet. Notice how tight the installation turned out! No waves or wrinkles.

For fast and easy access into the house Mirage retractable screen doors were installed. These invisible screens roll up and disappear when not in use allowing a clear view through the glass door. Mirage doors are made to retract slowly to prevent injury. The result is a safer product that wont pinch fingers of children or scare pets.

This combination of products is ideal for any homeowner on the lake!


Installation Of The Week – Cummings, GA

Two Great Features For The Price Of One

Cummings, Georgia backyard with motorized screensPeachtree Blinds completed the installation of 3 outdoor motorized screens produced by Universal Screen. Using a 95% solar mesh and installing them with a zipper system, this customer will be able to enjoy a bug free environment while greatly reducing the amount of heat and sun. They currently have a Southern exposure and even in the late months of winter when this was installed (February 2020), the temperature inside was reduced by 10 degrees.

Looking at the pictures you can see that visibility was not sacrificed. The sleek housing were measured precisely so that the original caps on the columns remained intact. Our standard color of tan blended in perfectly to provide a nearly invisible look from the outside looking in.

 

SunPro motorized patio screens

Service Areas Window Covering & Porch Shades

  • Georgia

    Atlanta, Midtown, Calhoun, Sugar Valley, Eton, Chatsworth, Dalton, Tunnel Hill, Redbud, Resaca, Plainville, Adairsville, Sonoraville, Fairmount, Ranger, Ludville, Rydal, Cartersville, Waleska, Rome, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Canton Plantation Shutters, Sandy Springs, Decatur, North Druid Hills, Brookhaven, Roswell, Marietta Plantation Shutters, Smyrna, Vinings, Fair Oaks, Kennesaw, Sandy Plains, Alpharetta, Acworth, Woodstock shutters, Johns Creek, Northcross, Duluth, Berkeley Lake, Peachtree Corners, Fair Oaks, Holly Springs, Milton, Oak Grove, Allatoona, Mountain Park, Crabapple, Suwanee, Dahlonega, Ball Ground and other surrounding Metro Atlanta areas.

  • Tennessee

    Chattanooga motorized patio shades, East Ridge, East Brainerd, Ridgeside, Collegedale, Apison, Ooltewah, Tyner, Lookout Mountain, Cleveland, South Cleveland, Wildwood Lake, McDonald, Old Fort, Conasauga, Ocoee and other Southeast Tennessee cities

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