Outdoor shading solutions with Lutron
by TechSavvyHomeowner• 8 replies• 19756 views
Hey everyone, I'm planning to add motorized shades to our outdoor living area and I'm wondering what options work well with Lutron systems. We have a covered patio with three large openings (each about 12ft wide x 10ft tall) that face west, so the afternoon sun is brutal during summer months.
Currently running a RadioRA 3 system inside the house with Sivoia QS shades throughout, so I'd love to keep everything integrated on the same platform if possible. My main concerns are:
1. Weather resistance - we're in the Southeast, so humidity, occasional rain (even under the cover, wind-driven rain happens), and temperature swings are all factors
2. UV protection - need something that actually blocks significant sun while still allowing some visibility
3. Integration - ideally controlled through my existing Lutron keypads and app
I've seen some exterior shade options from Lutron but I'm not clear on what's actually rated for outdoor use versus just "covered porch" use. Has anyone done a similar installation? What products did you use and how have they held up? Also curious about fabric choices - is there a specific outdoor-rated material I should be looking at?
Budget isn't unlimited but I'm willing to invest in quality if it means longevity. Thanks in advance for any guidance!
Replies
HighEndIntegrator39506 hours ago
The Triathlon motors are definitely the way to go for your situation. I've installed dozens of these in the Southeast and they hold up remarkably well. For fabric, you'll want to look at Sunbrella or similar solution-dyed acrylic fabrics - they're specifically designed for outdoor UV exposure and won't fade or degrade like indoor fabrics would.
A few installation tips from experience: make sure the mounting hardware is stainless steel or marine-grade aluminum, have your installer include drip edges above the shade pockets, and consider adding wind sensors to auto-retract the shades if gusts exceed a safe threshold. At 12ft wide, those shades will act like sails in strong wind.
Since you're already on RadioRA 3, integration is seamless - the Triathlon motors communicate via the same QS protocol. You can add them to existing scenes, set up astronomical timeclock events, and control everything from the Lutron app just like your interior shades.
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SmartShadeMaster39578 hours ago
Lutron makes the Sivoia QS Triathlon specifically for exterior applications. It's their weather-resistant motor designed for exactly this use case. Make sure your integrator specifies the outdoor-rated version with the appropriate NEMA enclosure.
LutronFanatic39482 hours ago
Great advice above. Just want to add that the fabric openness factor matters a lot for your use case. For western exposure with harsh sun, I'd look at 3-5% openness. Gives you view-through while blocking most of the heat and UV.
Control4Enthusiast39290 hours ago
Wind sensors are a must! I learned this the hard way when a client's outdoor shades got damaged in a sudden storm. The Lutron system can accept input from third-party wind sensors through the processor.
TechSavvyHomeowner39194 hours ago
This is incredibly helpful, thank you all! The Triathlon motors sound like exactly what I need. Quick follow-up - for the wind sensor integration, is that something that requires the RA3 processor or can it work with just repeaters? I currently have two repeaters handling my system.
HighEndIntegrator39002 hours ago
For proper wind sensor integration you'll want the processor. The repeaters alone won't give you the conditional logic needed for automated retraction based on sensor input. Might be worth the upgrade anyway since you're expanding the system.
DIYSmartHome38690 hours ago
Just curious - what's the rough price range for a setup like this? Three 12ft exterior shades with Triathlon motors seems like it could get expensive quickly.
SmartShadeMaster38354 hours ago
Ballpark for exterior Sivoia QS Triathlon at that size, you're probably looking at $2,500-4,000 per shade installed depending on fabric choice and your market. Premium outdoor fabrics and the larger motor requirements push the price up compared to interior equivalents. Worth every penny for longevity though.
