Outdoor curtains and patio shades

How to choose outdoor curtains for your patio

Start with the job you want the curtain to do. If you want privacy with a soft look, a sheer or lace panel works well. The Peony Lace Outdoor Curtain Panel and the Veil Peony Lace Curtain Panel are translucent and give a 1% to 40% shading rate. They are not water resistant, so use them under a covered porch or pergola. If you want rain and sun protection, choose a waterproof panel such as the Haven Waterproof Outdoor Curtain Panel or the Haven Tab Top Outdoor Curtain. Both are 100% polyester and UV-resistant. For full shade, the Nocturne Blackout Outdoor Curtain Panel blocks light and comes in a 280 gsm weight with grommets at the top and bottom, or a 110 gsm weight with a grommet top for ceiling installation.

Sizes and measuring for patio shades

Measure your rod or track first, then decide on fullness. For a gathered look, order panels that together are about two times the width of the opening. For a flat, modern look, match the panel width to the opening. Check the drop from the rod to the point where you want the curtain to end, such as the floor, a railing or a beam. The Haven Sheer Tab Top Outdoor Curtain has tab top loops with a 4.3 in (10.9 cm) drop, so add that drop to your rod height when you plan the length. The Clear PEVA Outdoor Curtain has eyelets spaced about 39 in (1 m) apart, which suits a simple rod setup on a porch or greenhouse frame. The Halo Sheer Outdoor Curtain Panel and one Nocturne Blackout Outdoor Curtain Panel use a grommet top for ceiling installation, which is a good fit for a pergola or an overhang where there is no wall for a rod bracket.

Materials and what they do

Polyester is the most common fabric here because it holds up to sun and moisture. Weight tells you how the panel hangs and how much light it blocks. The Halo Sheer Outdoor Curtain Panel is 70 gsm, the Haven Sheer Tab Top Outdoor Curtain is 80 gsm, and the Peony Lace Outdoor Curtain Panel is 95 gsm. These light weights move in a breeze and let daylight through. The Haven Waterproof Outdoor Curtain Panel is 180 gsm with a blackout coating, so it hangs with more body and cuts more light. The Nocturne Blackout Outdoor Curtain Panel in 280 gsm is the heaviest option and gives full light shading. The Clear PEVA Outdoor Curtain is a different material: PEVA, about 95% clear, 0.012 mm thick and waterproof. It works as a wind and rain shield while keeping your view open.

Top styles and installation

Grommet tops slide onto a rod and are the easiest to open and close. Tab top loops slide over the rod and give a casual look. The Haven Tab Top Outdoor Curtain and the Haven Sheer Tab Top Outdoor Curtain both use tab top loops. The Haven Waterproof Outdoor Curtain Panel uses a grommet top. The Nocturne Blackout Outdoor Curtain Panel in 280 gsm has grommets at the top and bottom, which keeps the panel from flapping and helps it hang straight. The Halo Sheer Outdoor Curtain Panel and the 110 gsm Nocturne Blackout Outdoor Curtain Panel are made for ceiling installation with a grommet top, a clean choice for a pergola roof or a covered patio beam.

Care and storage

All the fabric panels here have simple care: rinse with water and dry before storing. That keeps mildew from forming when you fold them away for the season. The Clear PEVA Outdoor Curtain wipes clean with water too. Take panels down before a heavy storm if they are not water resistant, and store them dry in a bin or bag. Check the rod and grommets each season and tighten any brackets. With a quick rinse and a full dry, these panels are ready for the next warm season.

Shade levels at a glance

Shading rate tells you how much light a panel blocks. The lace and sheer panels sit in the 1% to 40% range, so they dim light without darkening the space. The Halo Sheer Outdoor Curtain Panel is translucent with a 41% to 85% shading rate, a middle ground for a bright porch. The Nocturne Blackout Outdoor Curtain Panel gives full light shading for a nap spot or a movie setup on the deck. The Clear PEVA Outdoor Curtain is about 95% clear, so it blocks wind and rain but not light. Pick the level that matches how you use the space during the day.