Canada
Outdoor Curtains for Canadian Decks, Gazebos and Pergolas
Sheers or solid panels, which outdoor fabrics last, how to measure width and drop, heading styles, and how to look after outdoor curtains through storms and winter.
On this page
Quick answer: Choose a solution-dyed outdoor fabric such as Sunbrella or Agora. Use sheers to filter sun and soften the view, or solid panels for shade and privacy. Measure the rod width and multiply by 2 for full folds, measure the drop and stop about 1/2″ to 1″ above the deck. Add tie-backs for wind, and take curtains down before the snow.
Outdoor curtains turn a deck, gazebo or pergola into an outdoor room. They cut the glare of a low evening sun, give you privacy from the neighbours, take the edge off a breeze off the lake and make a covered space feel finished. In Canada, they also have a short, intense season to get through: strong summer sun, sudden storms and then a long winter in storage. Here is how to choose them, measure for them and look after them.
Where outdoor curtains work best
Covered decks and porches
The easiest place to start. A roof keeps most of the rain off, so curtains last longer and stay cleaner. Hang them on the sunny or windward side, or all the way round for a room you can close up on cool evenings.
Gazebos
A hard-top or soft-top gazebo has posts at every corner, which makes it a natural frame for curtains. One or two panels per side, tied back to the posts during the day, let you close off the sun or wind from any direction.
Pergolas
An open pergola gives curtains a lovely, airy look, but it offers less protection from rain and wind. Choose a heavier solid fabric, fix the rod securely between posts and plan to tie panels back in strong wind.
Screened porches and sunrooms
Curtains aren't insect screens, so they won't keep blackflies or mosquitoes out. Hang them inside a screened porch, though, and you get shade and privacy with the bugs on the other side of the mesh. Outdoor fabric is also a good choice for a sunroom, where ordinary curtains fade quickly.
Sheers or solid panels?
- Outdoor sheers filter the light and soften the view without blocking it. They move beautifully in a breeze and keep a space feeling open. See Sunbrella outdoor sheers for the full range.
- Solid outdoor panels give real shade and privacy, and handle wind better. They are the choice for a west-facing deck that bakes in the evening sun, or a gazebo beside the neighbour's yard.
- Layering: on a covered porch, solid panels at the posts with sheers between them give you both.
Blackout and privacy lining can be added to solid panels. It is never added to sheers, since it would block the light they are meant to let through.
Choose a fabric made for outdoors
Indoor curtain fabric fades and grows mildew within a season outside. Look for solution-dyed outdoor fabric, where the colour runs all the way through the fibre instead of sitting on the surface. Sunbrella is the best known. It resists fading and mildew, and most Sunbrella fabrics are water- and stain-repellent, so light rain beads off. Agora is another solution-dyed outdoor curtain fabric with a wide choice of colours. Compare them in our outdoor curtain fabric library, or order swatches and hang them outside for a day before you choose.
How to measure for outdoor curtains
Use a metal tape and measure in inches.
- Rod width: measure the opening you want to cover, post to post or along the rod. On a gazebo, measure each side separately, since sides are not always equal.
- Fullness: multiply the rod width by 2 so the curtains hang in full, soft folds when closed. Split the total across your panels. For a pair, each panel gets half.
- Drop: measure from the rod, or from where the ring or hook sits, down to where the curtain should end. Outdoors, stop the hem about 1/2″ to 1″ above the deck so it stays out of puddles and dirt.
- Panel width: panels wider than 52″ are joined with a centre seam. For a wide opening, more panels look better than one very wide one.
Our curtain size calculator works out panel widths and lengths from your rod width and drop.
Pick a heading style
- Tab top: fabric loops slide over the rod. Relaxed, simple and easy to open and close.
- Back tab: the tabs are hidden behind the curtain, so the front shows clean, even folds.
- Rod pocket: the rod runs through a sewn channel. Best for curtains that stay mostly in one place.
- Pinch pleat: stitched pleats on a stiffened header for a tailored, finished look. See pinch pleat curtains.
For outdoor use, choose a sturdy rust-resistant rod and make sure it is fixed firmly. A wet curtain in a gust puts a lot of load on brackets.
Wind, rain and storms
Canadian summer storms arrive fast. A few habits keep curtains and hardware in good shape:
- Use tie-backs or hold-backs on every post, and tie curtains back when the wind picks up.
- On an open pergola, take sheers down or tie them tight before a big storm.
- Let wet curtains dry hanging open, not bunched up, so they don't mildew.
Cleaning and winter storage
Brush off loose dirt and cobwebs, rinse with a hose, and let panels dry hanging. For spots, use mild soap and lukewarm water and rinse well.
Before the first snow, take outdoor curtains down. Snow, ice and freeze-thaw cycles are hard on fabric and hardware, and a curtain frozen to a deck rail can tear. Clean the panels, make sure they are completely dry, then fold them loosely and store them somewhere dry and ventilated. The same routine works for cushions: see our guide to storing outdoor cushions over a Canadian winter.
Match curtains and cushions
An outdoor room looks planned when the curtains and cushions work together. Pick one as the hero, a stripe or a strong colour, and keep the other quiet. Our guide to patio and deck cushions for Canadian summers covers the cushion side.
Ready to order?
Browse custom outdoor curtains and Agora outdoor curtains, choose your fabric and heading, and enter your sizes. The price shows as you go. Orders ship with free delivery across Canada, with duties and GST/HST paid, so there is nothing to pay on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Are outdoor curtains waterproof?
Most Sunbrella curtain fabrics are water-repellent rather than waterproof. Light rain beads off, but a downpour will soak through. They dry quickly and resist mildew.
Can I add blackout lining to outdoor sheers?
No. Lining is never added to sheers, since it would block the light they are meant to filter. Choose solid panels with blackout or privacy lining if you need full shade.
How wide should outdoor curtains be?
About 2 times the rod width in total, split across your panels, for full, soft folds when closed.
How long should outdoor curtains be?
Stop the hem about 1/2″ to 1″ above the deck or patio so it stays clean and dry.
Should I take outdoor curtains down for winter?
Yes. Clean them, dry them completely and store them somewhere dry before the snow. Snow and ice are hard on fabric and hardware.
