Retractable Awnings and Exterior Shade Solutions in Ames, IA
Contact Us Today
for a
Free Consultation
Custom Exterior Shade Solutions for Central Iowa Homeowners
Brackets Custom Window Coverings has served Ames and central Iowa since 1996 as a locally and family-owned business, with Hunter Douglas-certified installers on our team. If summer heat is making your patio uncomfortable by noon or afternoon glare is keeping you from enjoying your deck, the right awning or exterior shade can make that space much more usable.
Rely on Brackets Custom Window Coverings for:
Retractable Awning Installation
A retractable awning gives you overhead shade when you need it while letting you open the space back up when you don't. Extend it during the hottest part of the afternoon, then retract it when you want more sunlight or an unobstructed view of the sky.
Motorized options make adjustments easy with a remote, while manual operation may also be available depending on the product. Retractable awnings are especially useful over patios, decks, and exterior entries where you want on-demand shade rather than permanent overhead coverage.
Patio Awning Installation
For homeowners who prefer shade to stay in place, a fixed patio awning provides dependable overhead coverage without the moving components of a retractable system. It's a practical choice for patios and outdoor areas that receive consistent direct sun throughout the day.
Because every exterior space is a little different, we don't rely on standard-size awnings. Your patio awning is measured for the width, projection, and mounting conditions of your home, then custom-ordered to fit the space properly.
Motorized Screen Installation
Exterior motorized screens add another layer of protection to porches, patios, and other open-air living areas without making them feel completely enclosed. Lower the screen to cut glare, reduce solar heat, and create more separation from insects, then raise it when you want the space fully open again. Depending on the system, controls may include a remote or app-based operation.
Motorized Sun Shade Installation
Motorized exterior sun shades help manage bright sunlight and heat on patios and beneath covered outdoor structures. Instead of permanently blocking the opening, you can lower the shade when direct sun becomes uncomfortable and raise it again when conditions change.
They're made for exterior applications and designed to withstand outdoor exposure. For spaces that receive intense afternoon sun, exterior sun shades can make the area noticeably more comfortable while still allowing you to maintain a connection to the view beyond it.
Our Approach to Exterior Shade and Awning Projects
Every exterior shade project begins with a free consultation. Brackets Custom Window Coverings can meet with you at your home or at our Ames showroom, depending on which setting works better for you. A showroom visit is especially helpful if you'd like to see materials, compare options, and get a better sense of how different products look and operate before ordering.
From there, we measure the space where your awning, screen, or sun shade will be installed. Exterior measurements involve more than checking width and height. Mounting surfaces, rooflines, angles, clearances, and surrounding architectural details can all affect what will work properly.
Once your selections are finalized, we place the custom order and coordinate installation. Because the product has already been planned around your home, installation is efficient. The goal is a clean, intentional result that looks like it belongs on your home and works the way you expected from the start.
Why Ames Homeowners Choose Custom Awnings and Shade Screens Over Off-the-Shelf
A patio may be several inches wider than the closest stock size. The roof pitch may interfere with mounting. Fascia conditions may require a different configuration than the hardware included in the box. Small differences can quickly turn what looked like a simple purchase into a series of compromises.
Custom ordering avoids much of that guesswork. Brackets Custom Window Coverings measures the space first, then orders the product based on your home's dimensions and conditions. Our custom approach also gives you more control over details that aren't always available with retail products:
Custom Dimensions: Width and projection are based on measurements of your structure rather than the closest available standard size.
Motorization Options: Add powered operation at the time of purchase rather than modifying a manual system later.
Material and Color Selection: Choose fabrics and frame finishes that coordinate with your home's exterior, rather than settling for what's currently in stock.
Unusual Angles and Mounting Configurations: Account for roof pitches, fascia conditions, clearances, and other structural details that standard products may not accommodate.
If you're planning interior window treatments at the same time, you can also explore our custom window shades.
Proudly Serving Central Iowa Homeowners
Brackets Custom Window Coverings partners with homeowners throughout Ames and nearby Central Iowa communities, including Ankeny, Boone, Johnston, Des Moines, West Des Moines, and Urbandale. You can find additional communities we serve on our service area page.
Common Questions About Retractable Awnings in Ames
Yes. Many motorized awnings and screens can connect with compatible smart home systems, giving you the option to operate them through an app, voice controls, or preset schedules.
Motorized screens help create a more comfortable outdoor area by reducing insects and wind while preserving airflow and visibility. Motorized sun shades are primarily designed to filter sunlight, cut glare, and reduce heat on decks, patios, and other exposed spaces.
Our exterior awnings and screens are chosen with Midwest conditions in mind, including exposure to sun, moisture, and wind. Retractable awnings can also be closed during severe weather or colder months, helping protect the system when it isn't in use.
You can choose from a broad selection of fabrics, colors, and frame finishes. We'll bring samples to your consultation so you can see how different options look alongside your home's exterior and outdoor living space.
Once your custom product arrives, most awning and screen installations can be finished within one day. The time between ordering and installation is generally a few weeks, depending on the product selected and current scheduling.
Talk to a Local Awning and Exterior Shade Expert in Ames
Brackets Custom Window Coverings has proudly been locally and family-owned in Ames, IA, since 1996. Whether you're considering a retractable awning, fixed patio awning, motorized exterior screen, or motorized sun shade, we’re the right contractor for the job.
Contact Brackets to schedule your free consultation and explore exterior shade options for your Central Iowa home. We also invite you to see what local homeowners have to say on our reviews page. Don’t forget to ask about our financing options!
Contact Us
-1920x1280.jpg&w=1920&q=75&dpl=dpl_C6hspaw6t1NokVzxobqMZqwHYR8g)