Comfortable outdoor spaces are more important than ever. Ove the past couple of years useable outdoor spots have popped up in residential, restaurant, healthcare, educational, and other settings.

Outdoor shades enhance these spaces by providing protection from the elements, bringing an extra layer of sound resistance, and hiding or reducing the visual impact of surrounding structures or movements.

The best outdoor shading solution for outdoor living spaces is what’s known as a “zipper” shade. This type of outdoor shade gets its description from a zipper detail on both horizontal edges of the fabric panel.

The zipper detail is heat welded to the fabric and runs through a side channel on each side of the shade to keep the panel in place, so the fabric panel doesn’t blow in the wind and become damaged.

Shades that use side support cables can leave a gap between the fabric and the edge of the opening. However, the ZIP detail takes the fabric right up to (and inside) the side channels, leaving no gaps.

The ZIP approach retains the fabric much more securely, and without the gaps the shade resists rain, wind, extreme temperatures, and insects.

Listen: Draper Dealers Made in the Shade on Residential & Commercial Projects

The Draper FlexShade ZIP and ZIP XL are UL listed and available up to 25 feet wide.

They can be integrated into smart home systems and are available in several hardware colors and shade fabrics. They have also been wind tunnel tested.

Learn more at: draperinc.com/markets/outdoor.