Window shades are the lightweight workhorses of Florida window treatment — soft on the eye, quiet to operate, and infinitely tunable for the light, view, and privacy mix you actually want.
Sarasota gets brutal summer afternoon sun off the Gulf, paired with year-round humidity that hovers around 75%. Salt air rolls in from Lido Key and Siesta Key year-round. UV exposure in the dry winter months is intense — without proper shading, hardwood floors and upholstery fade in 2-3 seasons.
Sunset shades on the bay side of Sarasota Island and Lido Key get more direct UV per day than nearly anywhere else in Florida. We spec 5%-7% openness solar shades on Sarasota's west and south-facing windows by default — preserving the Gulf-water view while cutting harsh glare and UV that would otherwise destroy hardwood floors and upholstery.
We carry five distinct shade families, and each is the right answer for different windows. Roller shades for clean modern lines and motorization. Solar shades for big view-windows where you want UV blocked but the view preserved. Roman shades for soft, fabric-driven elegance in dining and bedrooms. Cellular shades for energy efficiency. Woven-wood shades for organic texture and warmth.
Solar shades are mesh-fabric roller shades rated by openness factor — 3% (max view, max UV cut) up to 14% (most light through). For Florida, we typically spec 5% or 7% openness, paired with a low-reflectance fabric color so the view stays clear from inside. Properly specified, you can sit at a sunset-facing window without squinting and without losing the sunset.
The right shades cut interior solar gain by 35-50%, drop A/C load measurably, and protect hardwood floors and upholstery from UV degradation. Our team measures the orientation of each window and recommends openness factor and fabric accordingly — you don't get a one-size-fits-all spec.
Sarasota School of Architecture defined mid-century modern here — think low rooflines, deep overhangs, floor-to-ceiling glass. Downtown's high-rise condos demand contemporary clean lines. Historic neighborhoods like Indian Beach lean Mediterranean revival.
Hurricane considerations: Sarasota took direct hits from Helene in 2024 and Milton soon after. Hurricane shutters and impact-rated exterior screens have moved from luxury to insurance requirement in many neighborhoods.
Our salaried install team covers every Sarasota neighborhood — from Siesta Key to Downtown Sarasota. We measure on your schedule and install on ours.
We design, build, and install the full range of window treatments for Sarasota homes — not just custom shades.
Free design, free precision measurement, lifetime warranty. We come to you, on your schedule, anywhere in Sarasota.
