Why Dedham
Close Neighbors And Low Sun
The towns west of us have deep lots where the only thing a shade has to solve is heat. Dedham is tighter. On the tighter streets of Precinct One and Riverdale, a porch or patio sits a few yards from the neighbor's, and the low sun and the sightline arrive from the same direction. That changes the fabric we recommend. A slightly tighter weave on the neighbor side blocks the view in while still letting you see out, and an open weave on the yard side keeps the light and the air moving.
Either fabric stops the heat where it counts, which is outside the glass. A shade on the exterior of a slider or a porch opening keeps up to 90 percent of the solar heat from ever reaching the window, and the room behind it stays cool without the air conditioner working against the sun all afternoon. We go into the fabrics, housings, and wind ratings on our exterior roller shades page.
The Victorians near Dedham Square and around the Endicott Estate have the deep porches their era is known for. A wraparound porch does not need to be shaded all the way around. One or two bays on the western side, dropped from the header between the posts, is the whole job. The rest of the porch stays open and the house looks the same from the street.
Along the Charles on the north and west edges of town, the water sends glare up under a porch roof from below. The fix is the tighter weave on the river side. It is the same shade with a different fabric.
