Motorized Exterior Solar Shades (Zip Track)
Your deck all summer long, without the full afternoon sun or the mosquitoes.
Texts every day, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. · Free consultation and quote · Text us
What it changes
The benefits
An exterior solar shade reduces heat before it reaches the glass. In a zip system, the fabric stays held in side tracks, which reduces flapping and gaps at the sides. We install three systems made or assembled in Canada, chosen based on size, fabric and budget. You control it by remote, app or voice, depending on the motor.
Heat stopped before the glass
An indoor blind blocks light once it's inside; the heat is already in the room. An exterior shade intercepts it outside. On a covered deck or in a sunroom, you feel the difference right away.
The bugs stay outside
Tracks on each side, a bar at the bottom, precise limits: the shade closes off the space. It's often why we install them — outdoor kitchens, balconies, decks on large homes, and even in front of the garage door, to air it out without letting in the rain or a mouse. Your home, extended outdoors.
You keep the view
From outside, a 5% openness fabric hides the interior during the day; from inside, you see out. In the evening, with the lights on, it's reversed: you raise it or choose a tighter fabric.
It stands up to wind
Because the fabric is held along its full height, it doesn't snap or pull out at the first gust: up to 89 km/h on our large sizes, 120 km/h on small shades, and 160 km/h with our reinforced line. See the details below.
Made for large openings
A shade 19 ft wide by 10 ft high is a routine order for us, not a special project. Up to 20 ft wide, 17 ft high and 268 sq. ft depending on the system: multi-panel patio doors, glass walls, pergolas, gazebos, double garage doors.
Discreet when raised
Slim tracks (from 25 mm visible face), compact cassette, colours matched to the window frames or the siding.
Made in Canada
This product is made in Canada — a local choice, with lead times and follow-up that a product imported from far away doesn't always allow.
How it works
How the zip works
- A “zip” welded to each edgeBoth edges of the fabric carry a zipper-shaped bead, welded to the fabric by electrical impulse — not sewn. An industrial machine welds the zip in a single pass, up to 26 ft long, with no thread and no needle holes. The weld stays thin and even, without the ridge a seam can leave once the fabric is rolled up. The zip engages in an aluminum track: the fabric is held along its full height.
- A 5 in cassetteFabric and motor roll up into an aluminum cassette. We recommend the 5 in (125 mm) cassette: it allows tall heights and rolls up without strain. We also have a 3¾ in cassette for smaller openings or windows.
- A weighted bottom barThe bottom bar keeps the fabric taut and closes the gap to insects. Obstacle detection: if something is in the way, the shade stops and goes back up.
- A Somfy motor built for the jobThe Maestria 50 RTS is designed for zip shades: it re-tensions the fabric automatically and sets its limits to the millimetre.
- The right fabric for the right useLight or dark fabric, open or tight weave, all the way to full blackout for total darkness outdoors: the choice of fabric changes what the shade really does. We make that choice together, in front of your window.
Our work on video
In motion
Gallery
Recent installations
Specifications
The numbers
- Typical size
- 19 ft wide × 10 ft highwhat we install most often on decks
- Maximum width
- Up to 20 ft (6.1 m)depending on the system, fabric and height
- Maximum height
- Up to 17 ft (5.2 m)
- Maximum area
- Up to 268 sq. ft (24.9 m²)depending on the system
All specifications
- Cassette
- 5 in (125 mm) — our standard3¾ in (95 mm) cassette for smaller openings or windows
- Side tracks
- Aluminum, zip system, 25 to 37 mm face44 mm bottom bar
- Solar fabrics
- 1% to 45% opennessmore open = better wind resistance, less UV protection; tighter = the reverse; over 200 fabrics available, in several colours
- Blackout fabric
- Available for total darkness outdoorsoutdoor cinema, outdoor bedroom, complete privacy
- Specialty fabrics
- PVC-free, fire-, water- and oil-resistant, tear-resistantoptions available on request, to confirm with us for your project
- Insect screen fabrics
- 40% (small insects) or 50%
- Blackout fabric
- Opaque, 0% opennessfor an outdoor cinema or a garden-level bedroom
- Clear vinyl fabric
- Winter optioncuts wind, rain and snow, holds in heat; does not block summer heat
- Hardware colours
- White, beige, anodized silver, black, black-brown, brownover 1,800 custom colours depending on the system
- Mounting
- Face mount, recessed or between posts
- Manufacturing
- Assembled in Canada
- Wind resistance
- Up to 89 km/h on large sizes, up to 120 km/h on small shadesmanufacturer's test report, shade lowered in front of a window; reinforced line up to 160 km/h for exposed locations (more expensive)
- Options
- Obstacle detection, insect brush, wind sensor
- Motor
- Somfy Maestria 50 RTS, 120 V35 or 50 Nm for large sizes; 10 or 25 Nm for small ones; 1 to 2.1 amps depending on torque; built to operate from −20°C to +70°C; protected against rain and dust (IP 44)
- Power
- Outdoor 120 V outlet near the cassette, or hardwired3-wire cable; version with NEMA plug available; several motors on one 15-amp circuit
What about wind, really?
Wind resistance depends on the system, the size and whether there's a wall behind the shade. According to the manufacturer's test report, some configurations reach 89 km/h on a 19 × 10 ft size, 120 km/h on small sizes and up to 160 km/h with a reinforced line. On an open deck, there's no official rating: you raise the shade when the wind picks up. Never operate it in strong gusts; a Somfy sensor can raise it automatically.
Where it goes
Applications
Covered decks and patios
Close one or more sides of a covered deck, a pergola or a gazebo: shade, privacy, zero mosquitoes.
Sunrooms and verandas
A glassed-in room becomes unlivable at 3 p.m. in July. The shade in front of the glass solves the problem without air conditioning. And in winter, a clear vinyl fabric in the same system keeps the veranda heated and free of snow.
Patio doors and glass walls
Large openings onto the garden, especially facing south and west.
Exposed windows
One or two full-sun windows on a bedroom or an office.
Garage doors
A zip shade in front of the open garage door: air and light in the garage, without rain coming in, without insects, and without a mouse slipping through. Very popular with people who keep a collector or luxury car in the garage.
Commercial
Restaurant terraces, glass-walled offices, daycares, condo buildings: same systems, larger sizes, centralized control.
Certified Somfy Expert
Somfy Maestria motorization
The Maestria 50 RTS is the motor Somfy designed for exterior shades with side tracks. It isn't just more powerful: it knows what a zip is. It is the only motor we use on our Zip Track shades, no exceptions: the Maestria+ 50 on 120 V, in four strengths (10, 25, 35 or 50 Nm).
Compare the 4 Maestria+ 50 motors
Warranty. The system is covered by a 5-year warranty from Le Gars des Stores: cassette, tracks, fabric and installation. The Somfy motor is also covered for 5 years; some parts may also carry an additional manufacturer's warranty. Accidental damage, ice damage and use contrary to the instructions aren't covered.
Our warranties are in addition to the warranties provided by law.
- Obstacle detection going down and going up: the shade stops, goes back up, and doesn't tear on a forgotten piece of furniture
- Automatic adjustment: the fabric is re-tensioned on every cycle, with no wrinkles
- Precise limits: the bar comes down exactly where it should to close the gap to insects
- Somfy RTS remote (1 or 5 channels), or TaHoma hub for the app, schedules, Alexa, Google and Apple
- Manual version available: with an 8 ft crank, for those who prefer no electronics at all
- Optional Eolis wind sensor: automatic raising
- Built to operate from −20°C to +70°C, and protected against rain and dust (IP 44 rating): a motor made to live outdoors
- Draws 1 to 2.1 amps depending on torque: a standard 15-amp circuit powers several shades
- 120 V installation by our installers; certified Somfy Expert
Frequently asked questions
We answer
Open or tight weave: how do I choose?
An open weave keeps more of the view and lets air through better, but it can let very small insects in. A tight weave gives more protection from UV and from view, but catches more wind. A blackout fabric strongly darkens the space. We compare the samples together at your home.
Do you have special technical fabrics?
On request, yes: fabrics with more resistance to fire, water, oil or tearing exist for specific needs — a commercial terrace, a marina, an industrial setting. They aren't standard options; we discuss them based on your project.
Is it the same thing as an exterior screen or an exterior sunshade?
Yes: exterior screen, exterior sunshade, exterior solar shade — these are different names for the same type of product. Our Zip Track system is a version with side tracks, which holds the fabric on both sides.
How is it different from a cable-guided exterior shade?
A cable shade is held at two points by cables; the fabric can flap and lets insects in at the sides. The zip holds the fabric along its full height: much better wind resistance, and a complete seal.
What fabric colour should I choose?
A light fabric lets in more light, but can create more glare. A dark fabric generally improves the view outside and reduces glare. The level of privacy applies mainly during the day; in the evening, indoor lighting changes the result.
Why a welded zip rather than a sewn one?
A welded zip avoids the thread and needle holes of a seam exposed to water, UV and wind. Impulse welding joins the bead and the fabric along the full height, for a flatter, more durable edge.
Does it replace an insect screen?
With a solar fabric, yes: the zip and the bottom bar close the gap. If you mostly want air and the view without the sun, we choose an insect screen fabric (40 or 50% openness) rather than a solar fabric — same system, same motor.
What about rain?
A solar fabric is a very tight mesh, not a membrane: it cuts a good part of the spray, but it lets water through. For a waterproof shelter, we're talking about a different product. For a covered deck, it does the job very well.
Does it stand up to a Quebec winter?
The Somfy Maestria motor is rated to operate down to −20°C, but ice remains the main risk. If the tracks are frosted over or the shade is stuck, don't operate it, and never force it. In winter, check the tracks and use the system in dry weather.
And for a veranda that's heated in winter?
A clear vinyl fabric, installed in a compatible zip system, helps cut wind, rain and snow while keeping the view. It can help hold heat in a veranda, without replacing an insulated wall or window. In summer, a solar fabric does a better job of controlling heat gain.
How do I close the strip of light at the sides?
We add side tracks: rails on each side of the shade, like on a roller shutter, that trap the edges. It's an extra option, mostly requested for a home theatre or a night-shift worker's bedroom.
Do you offer special fabrics (fire-resistant, tear-resistant, etc.)?
Yes, on request: PVC-free fabrics, fabrics resistant to fire, water, oil and dirt, or with high tear resistance. These aren't common options, so tell us your specific need at the quote stage and we'll check availability for your project.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the width and height (and therefore the motor), the fabric chosen and the installation. Text us a photo of the opening with approximate measurements (width × height, in inches) at (514) 967-3629 and we'll quickly give you a first idea of the price; the firm price comes after the measurements are verified.
Do I need an electrical outlet?
The system needs an outdoor 120 V power supply near the cassette, or a direct connection, depending on the motor. The location is confirmed at the measuring visit. An electrician determines the circuit and how many motors it can power, based on the actual load and the applicable code. Somfy also offers 24-foot extension cables, so the power can be much farther from the shade.
What's the lead time?
Custom-made in Canada, then installed by our team. We give you the real lead time when we quote — it varies with the season.
Where do you install?
The West Island (Beaconsfield is home for us) and Montreal, Vaudreuil-Dorion, the South Shore, the North Shore, western Laval, and the Eastern Townships with our local team. Elsewhere, depending on the project.
Free consultation and quote
A deck to enclose, a sunroom to cool down?
Free in-home consultation and quote, installation included.
Text us a photo of your windows · Texts every day, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. · Free consultation and quote
Somfy®, TaHoma® and RTS® are registered trademarks of Somfy SAS. Reg. TM of Somfy SAS. Le Gars des Stores is an authorized dealer and a certified Somfy Expert.
