Installer Check List for Repairs to Other Brands of Shades
Work through one check at a time. Add a photo wherever it applies — at the end you'll get a summary with recommended ways to repair the shade.
Question 1 of 15
Before you start
Agree to the Terms of Use
Read the terms below and tap “I agree” before using this checklist or the advice on the Exterior Shade Guru website. The checklist stays locked until you agree.
Terms of Use — Exterior Shade Guru Installer Checklist
Effective October 28, 2026 · Terms version: October 28, 2026 · Publisher: Leanne Donelson
1. What these terms cover
These terms cover your use of this installer checklist and the guidance published by Exterior Shade Guru (Tommy Long) on this tool and its website. By tapping “I agree” below, you accept these terms for this use of the checklist.
2. Guidance only — not a substitute for your own judgment
The checklist, its questions, and its recommended repairs are general field guidance based on the answers and photos entered. They are not engineering, electrical, legal, or manufacturer advice, and they do not replace the shade manufacturer's own instructions, local codes, or a licensed professional where one is required.
3. No liability for the advice
Neither Tommy Long (Exterior Shade Guru) nor Leanne Donelson is responsible or liable for the advice provided by this tool or this website, or for any outcome, loss, damage, or cost arising from its use.
The recommendations depend entirely on the information entered. Incomplete or incorrect entries can produce guidance that does not fit the actual job.
4. Your responsibility on the job
You — the installer or business using this checklist — are solely responsible for verifying every measurement, part, fabric, motor, and mounting surface before ordering or installing anything.
You are responsible for the safety of the work, the work itself, and any quote you give the customer.
When the Exterior Shade Guru reviews a summary you send, that review is a courtesy opinion only. It is not an inspection, a certification, a guarantee, or a warranty of any repair.
5. Your agreement is recorded
When you tap “I agree,” a record of your agreement is kept: the date and time you agreed, the version of these terms, and the IP address of the connection you agreed from. That record appears on the summary screen, is included in the summary you copy or email, and can be downloaded from the summary screen as an acceptance log (CSV).
6. If you don't agree
Don't use the checklist or rely on the website's advice. Close this page instead.
Agreement record: your IP address will be recorded with the date and time when you agree.
Your IP address: Detecting…
Scroll the terms to the bottom, then tap “I have read the Terms of Use above.”
What language do you want to fill out this form in? *
NOTE — Before you leave for the jobsite: make sure the homeowner has placed the remote outside, and that the homeowner is available to answer questions at your repair call.
Exterior shades only
This checklist supports exterior shades and screens. Interior products are not supported at this time — if the job is for an interior product, please do not use this checklist for it.
Let's start with the job
These details go at the top of the final summary, so the Guru knows exactly which job this checklist belongs to.
What kind of job is this? *
Type the brand, or tap “I do not know” if you don’t know it.
Is this a Solar screen, a Fixed Screen, or Vinyl? *
Fills in automatically from the address above — or tap Find county.
Property type *
Are there restrictions for repairs? *
Example: some restaurants only allow repairs during off hours.
Get this before you go out — it decides what size ladder to take.
Does the installer have to pay for parking? *
Anything that makes getting in hard — tight access for ladders, stairs, elevators, a long carry, loading dock rules, etc.
Where is the remote? *
The note at the top says it — confirm the remote is placed outside before you leave for the jobsite.
Where is the wall switch located? *
Is there someone at the location to explain the issues? *
Sounds
A soft chime plays when a question is filled out properly and you tap Next — and a fuller chime when the checklist is complete. Turn sounds off on a quiet jobsite.
Check 1 · Interior or Exterior
Is this an interior shade or an exterior shade?
The public always gets this mixed up — make sure which one this repair really is.
Interior or exterior shade? *
Interior products are not supported at this time.
This checklist covers exterior shades only, so it cannot be used for this interior product. Please stop here — do not continue this checklist for an interior job. If you tapped Interior by mistake, tap Exterior above to continue.
Check 2 · Vinyl Shade
Is the repair a vinyl shade?
Answer this first — it shapes the materials, hardware, and repair plan for the rest of the job.
Is the repair a vinyl shade? *
Check 3 · Fabric
Check the material — match the color and the weave.
It could be Twitchell, Phifer, or another brand — not all fabrics are alike. When matching fabric to existing shades, you don't want different colors. Ask the dealer for the fabrics.
Fabric brand *
Does it match the existing shades? *
Check 4 · Metal
Check the metal color.
Every manufacturer has a different RAL powder coat process and different colors — be aware of it, and take a photo.
Match result *
Check 5 · Remote & Motor
Check the remote — and take a photo.
The remote is a telltale sign of the brand of the motor.
Remote type *
Check 6 · Width Measurement
When taking measurements for replacement fabric, note what the measurements are.
Is the width the opening, the fabric with the zipper, or the fabric without the zipper? It changes what gets ordered.
The width measurement is… *
Check 7 · Height Measurement
Height measurements — note where they're taken from.
Top of the hood or bottom of the hood — say which one, so the replacement fabric is cut to the right drop.
The height is measured from… *
Check 8 · Bottom Hem Bar
Check the existing bottom hem bar.
Is it brush — and what size? Is it gasket — if so, what size? We are trying to match existing shades. Take photos.
Hem bar seal type *
Check 9 · Recess & Tube Access
If the product is recessed, do you have access to the tube?
If you don't know the brand, the top fabric could be put on the tube with a zipper, Keder, or rivet — this makes a difference when doing a replacement.
Mount *
Can you access the tube? *
Fabric-to-tube attachment, if known *
Check 10 · What Can Be Reused
Can you replace just the fabric and bottom hem bar?
Would it work in the existing tracks, or would you need new tracks?
Replacement scope *
Check 11 · Crown, Drive & Tube
Take a photo of the crown and drive and the tube — and measure the tube.
Keep in mind that each manufacturer uses different size tubes.
Check 12 · Mounting Surface
What will the product be attached to?
Choose all that apply — a job can attach to more than one surface.
Attached to *
Check 13 · Hub, App & Automation
Are the shades already hooked up to a hub, an app, or a home automation system?
If they are, the repair has to be tested through that system too — not just the remote.
Hooked up to a hub, app, or home automation? *
Which one(s)? (choose all that apply — optional)
Check 14 · Wind Sensor
Do the shades have an existing wind sensor?
Check for a wind sensor on the job — and whether it has ever been unplugged.
Existing wind sensor? *
Has the wind sensor ever been unplugged? *
Is the wind sensor plugged in or solar powered? *
Check 15 · Electrical Power
Is there electrical power to the plug?
Check the plug the shade is powered from — and the GFI on that circuit.
Electrical power to the plug? *
Did you check the GFI? *
Terms of Use — agreement recorded for this checklist
Done
Summary
Review everything below, then copy the summary and send it to the Exterior Shade Guru before quoting the customer.
Email this summary
Opens your email app with the full summary filled in — just tap send. Nothing is sent by this page itself.
Tommy Long · tommy.tlinstallations@yahoo.com
Or email it to up to 5 people
Photos aren't attached automatically — they stay on your phone. Attach them from your photo library if needed.
Tip: to save a paper copy, copy the summary above — or print this page from your browser's menu while the summary is open.
Maintenance for exterior patio screens and shades mainly involves regular cleaning of the fabric with mild soap and water to prevent dirt buildup, and checking the sidetrack fabric retention systems to ensure they function smoothly. For motorized systems, occasional inspection and adjustment of the motor and clutch mechanisms help maintain performance. Keeping your awning or screen retracted during bad weather and following manufacturer guidelines will extend its lifespan and keep it looking great.
Helpful videos on maintenance
Maintenance (Cleaning) of fabrics on exterior patio shades or screens
Maintenance of sidetrack fabric retention systems
Maintenance of exterior patio shades
Exterior Shade Guru
Side Tracks — Exterior Patio Shades
Silicone sprays for side tracks on Exterior Patio Shades — Exterior Shade Guru
Qapla'!
The Exterior Shade Guru salutes the Klingon Empire — but this form doesn't speak Klingon. Yet. Pick a real language and let's get to work.
Answer the required fields to continue.
At this time we do not give advice on interior products.
This checklist covers exterior shades only, so it cannot be used for this interior product. Please stop here — do not continue this checklist for an interior job. If you tapped Interior by mistake, tap Exterior above to continue.
