The Best Outdoor Curtains for Making the Most of Your Quebec Summer: How to Choose?

Quebec summers are bountiful, but they aren’t always kind. The sun beats down hard, neighbors are close by, the wind picks up without warning, and July afternoons can turn a balcony or patio into an inhospitable place in a matter of minutes. To truly enjoy your outdoor space this summer, one thing makes all the difference: the right protection. But which one? Between crank-operated screens and motorized shades, how do you know which one to choose? At Ombrasole, two products specifically address this need: Mitico, the crank-operated screen and TCL, the motorized curtain. Understanding the difference between the two is the first step toward making the right choice.

What you’re really looking for when you think about an outdoor curtain

Before we talk about products, let’s talk about needs. When a Quebec homeowner is looking for a screen or an outdoor curtain, they’re usually looking for three things at once: Protection from the mosquitoes and the sun without shutting themselves away in darkness, a privacy screen that blocks prying eyes without blocking fresh air, and a solution that withstands the wind without flapping, or tearing after just two seasons.

It is this threefold need protection, privacy, and durability. That immediately rules out most of the inexpensive options available on the market. A mass-market curtain may seem attractive at first glance, but it won’t provide effective protection from the wind, its fabric will fade within two summers, and its mechanism will start to jam long before you’re satisfied with it. The real question isn’t how much an screen costs, but how much a screen that truly works, for a long time, in our climate costs.

Mosquitoes, wasps, and other insects: One of the biggest reasons why many Quebecers choose an exterior screen

If you ask homeowners in Quebec what ultimately drives them to invest in a retractable screen or an outdoor curtain, many give the same answer: Mosquitoes. And we completely understand why. By 5 p.m. in July, as soon as the humidity rises and the light fades, they arrive, silent and relentless. What should have been a lovely family evening on the patio turns into a mad dash for the screen door, with the kids scratching their arms and the adults waving their hands in vain. Not to mention the wasps circling the meal, the flies swarming the food, and all those little flying insects that make simply sitting outside more stressful than enjoyable.

This is where the Mitico crank-operated screen and the TCL motorized screen reveal an advantage that many people don’t realize at first: Once deployed, these screens create an effective physical barrier against insects. The Serge Ferrari fabric, with its dense technical mesh, blocks mosquitoes, wasps, and most flying insects, while allowing fresh air to circulate. You stay outside, enjoy the evening breeze, and hear nature around you, but the insects stay outside. Children can play on the patio until nightfall without getting bitten. Adults can finish their drink in peace without having to battle a swarm of mosquitoes. It’s a tangible transformation of the summer experience, and it’s often this detail that finally convinces Quebec families to take the plunge.

And unlike chemical repellents, smoke coils, or UV lamp, which only partially alleviate the problem, the outdoor screen tackles the issue at its source: Insects simply cannot enter the protected area. It’s a permanent, odorless, chemical-free solution that requires no special maintenance and works just as well on the first night as it does on the hundredth.

The Mitico Crank-Operated Curtain: The Elegance of Simplicity

Mitico is a hand-cranked outdoor screen, and it fully embraces that identity. Its operation is intentionally simple: You turn the crank, the screen goes up or down, and that’s it. No motor, no remote control, no battery, no app. It’s the ideal solution for homeowners who prefer absolute reliability over technology, those who know that the best solution is often the one with the fewest parts that can break.

Its extruded aluminum frame, available in black or light gray, creates an elegant privacy screen that defines your space and protects it from the sun and prying eyes. The high-end fabric effectively filters sunlight while allowing air to circulate, maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the part that is covered by the screen even on the hottest days.

Mitico, the crank-operated screen, is the perfect choice for: balconies and small spaces, homeowners who value simplicity and mechanical reliability, families who want to protect their children from insects without complicated technology, and those on a budget looking for the best quality without motorization.

TCL Motorized Curtain: Protection on Demand

The motorized retractable screen TCL is the motorized version of this same outdoor protection concept. It features the same build quality, the same high-end fabric, and a revolutionary wind-blocking system, but with a Somfy motor that completely transforms the day-to-day user experience. With a simple press of a button on the remote control, you can lower or raise your screen to the exact position you want, without getting up from your chair or interrupting a conversation.

With the motorized outdoor retractable screen TCL, insect protection becomes even more intuitive: As soon as you sense mosquitoes approaching at the end of the day, you press a button and the screen closes in seconds, without interrupting the conversation, without getting up, and without disrupting the moment. The kids keep playing, the adults keep chatting, and the insects stay outside. It’s precisely this kind of invisible comfort that makes all the difference in everyday life.

The retractable curtain TCL is the perfect choice for: Patios and larger outdoor spaces, homeowners who appreciate technological convenience and smart home systems, those whose lifestyle involves frequently adjusting their environment, and those who want the best possible user experience in their daily lives. Thanks to its custom design, it integrates seamlessly with both permanent structures and patios, balconies, and existing structures, offering an elegant solution tailored to every outdoor space.

How to Choose Between the Two: A Simple Guide

The choice between the crank operated Mitico screen and the motorized retractable screen TCL often comes down to two questions. First: do you adjust your shade several times a day, or do you set it up and leave it in place? If you tend to leave your shade in a fixed position for long periods of time, the retractable screen Mitico will perfectly meet your needs.  Although it can obviously be raised and lowered as needed, its manual operation is particularly appreciated when the blind remains in position for several hours or a good part of the day.  For its part, the TCL motorized screen offers a smoother and more convenient experience for those who like to frequently adjust their environment based on the sun, insects, or your mood; it will provide you with a significantly superior experience.

The second question: How important is technological convenience to you? If you already enjoy smart home features, the TCL outdoor curtain fits seamlessly into that ecosystem. If you prefer technology-free solutions that are simple and mechanically reliable. Mitico, the hand-cranked retractable screen is the answer for you. In either case, you get superior protection from the sun, wind, and something many people don’t realize until they try it, all the insects trying to invite themselves onto your patio.

No matter what you choose, your summer will be even better

The crank-operted retractable screen Mitico and the motorized retractable screen TCL are two different solutions to the same basic need: to fully enjoy your outdoor space this summer and every summer to come, without being exposed to the sun, prying eyes, strong winds, and, most importantly, without being devoured by mosquitoes. One focuses on simplicity. The other on motorized comfort and flexibility. Both prioritize quality, durability, and Quebec-made construction designed for our climate and our insects.