Not Traditional Shades: This Clever DIY Solution Keeps Rain Off Your Patio

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Less-than-great weather doesn't mean the end of patio season if you have the right accessories. Traditional outdoor shades shield you from UV rays and are considered a sunny-day must-have for some. However, during wetter weather, there's a creative way to cover your patio and protect it from the rain. Whether it's to shelter from summer showers or to use your patio longer into the colder season, a clear patio cover can provide protection from the elements.

This type of product can be made of flexible vinyl or PVC and is intended for covered patios. Many options install like a patio roller blind, so they need a structure to mount to. They only provide protection along the sides of a patio, so you'll need a roof in place for overhead coverage. 

These shades create a sheltered area without blocking the view or daylight. The waterproof material protects the seating area from rain and wind and can help it retain warmth during cooler seasons. Unlike a fully enclosed patio, they maintain an open feeling, so you still feel like you're seated outdoors. Of course, these also feature the major benefit to be able to roll it up and out of the way in nice weather. 

Many of these patio shades are DIY-friendly and are designed for homeowners to be able to tackle installation themselves. This also makes it possible to take down these blinds if you want to change your shades according to the season. Custom sizes are available, as well as different opening mechanisms. For example, the Akon Roll Up Clear Vinyl Patio Shade is made of PVC and can be cut to your dimensions, with your choice of pockets or grommets for installation. It doesn't have any fancy opening system. Instead, you have to manually roll the shade up, and it has straps at the top to hold it in place.

The Covers&All Clear Roller Shade is also a PVC shade that comes in custom sizing. This one is a roller shade, and you have a choice of a chain or crank roller mechanism, so it's more user-friendly. If you want versatility, the Maanta Outdoor Easy Clear Roller Blind, is a little pricier. However, this one has the option to swap out the shade itself with a solid one that's sold separately. This means you can go from clear to a protective sun shade and vice versa using the same mounting system.

These products show some of the versatility within this shade category, and they all do the job of providing protection from rain and wind along the sides of a patio. With a bit of extra coverage, a clear patio shade can help you put some of your winter patio ideas into action. You can also use it to protect a seating area on a covered porch, so you can maintain a cozy, decorated front porch in the fall.