Don’t Leave Your Patio or Porch Empty for Most of the Year
How to Enjoy Outdoor Luxury Living in All 4 Seasons
In the Midwest, patios and porches tend to sit empty for half the year. The reality is, those “three months of summer” fly by.
But with the right combination of motorized outdoor shades, in-ceiling outdoor heaters, and a well-designed smart home system, you can transform your patio into a comfortable, four-season space.
No matter if there’s a breeze in April or a chill in October, here’s how we can make your outdoor spaces cozy year-round.
Let’s Set the Scene
Picture this: you step onto your patio in early spring. There’s still a little snow on the ground, but the space is warm, shielded from wind, and feels like an extension of your living room. Motorized outdoor screens lower at the tap of a button or on a schedule, blocking the wind and keeping heat in. Ceiling or wall-mounted heaters add the right level of warmth, automatically adjusting to your preferences.
The same smart home panel that controls your lighting, music, and security can also set up your patio for a cozy coffee in the sun, movie night, or a gathering of friends, all year long.
Easy Control for Quick Comfort
Today’s heaters and motorized screens work right alongside your existing smart home setup. Want to adjust the temperature or close the screens? Use your wall panel, a smartphone app, or simply give a voice command. Some homeowners like tactile buttons for quick control, while others prefer automated schedules. Both are possible.
No matter the weather, your patio responds to you: lower the screens as the sun sets, raise them for a clear morning view, and keep the wind or pollen at bay with a simple tap.
Why Your Motorized Screens Matter
Not all motorized screens are built alike. Many traditional screens use zipper tracks on the sides. Break one zipper tooth, and you’re looking at a costly, time-consuming replacement.
MagnaTrack by Progressive Screens is different. The screens run on a dual-pull magnetic track system, with strong magnets lining the sides. If someone walks into the screen (it happens!), the magnets flex and then snap the screen right back in place—no jams, no tears, no drama. Even if the screen gets knocked off the track, simply raise it above the trouble spot and lower it again; the edges will align themselves.
We recommend MagnaTrack to our customers for its:
- Flexible, self-correcting tracks. No jams or snags
- Withstand everyday use, wind, and the occasional collision
- Sleek appearance: always taut, never wrinkled
- Easy integration with smart home controls
All-Weather Outdoor Entertainment
Comfort is just one aspect of your patio. If you want to make the most of outdoor living, consider adding a weatherproof TV, built-in speakers, or landscape audio systems designed to work through all weather conditions. The best systems are made to stay out all season and provide crisp sound and clear visuals, whether it’s 90 degrees in July or freezing in February.
Build Your All-Season Patio Today
Resort-style outdoor living is entirely possible at your home. With the right mix of motorized shades, heaters, and a connected smart home system, your patio can become the space everyone wants to use, even in months you once wrote off as “off-season.”
If you’re ready to make the most of your home in Illinois or Wisconsin, IDS Automation can help bring that vision to life. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more today.
