Truly waterproof curtains are made of vinyl or plastic-coated fabric, which traps moisture, looks utilitarian, and gets brittle in the sun. For a patio, porch, or pergola, water-repellent fabric is the better choice: solution-dyed acrylic like Sunbrella beads rain off the surface, dries fast, and resists fading, mold, and mildew for years — while still draping like a real curtain. Made to your measurements, it protects your space without the plastic look.

For windows and openings exposed to weather — porch windows, sunroom openings, covered patios — look for solution-dyed acrylic such as Sunbrella. It sheds rain, dries quickly instead of holding moisture against the glass and frame, and keeps its color through full sun. Because outdoor windows rarely come in standard sizes, made-to-measure panels in your choice of color and header will fit and function far better than off-the-shelf sizes.

No — Sunbrella curtains are water-repellent rather than waterproof, and that's the right trait for a curtain. The solution-dyed acrylic beads rain off the surface and dries fast instead of trapping moisture the way sealed, waterproof material does, so the fabric stays breathable and resists mold and mildew. It also shrugs off UV, holding its color through years of full sun. For an open-air space, water-repellent performance protects better than a true waterproof coating.

For a screened porch, water-repellent Sunbrella panels are the strongest choice. Screens let in wind-blown rain, mist, and humidity, so the curtain needs to shed water and dry quickly — exactly what solution-dyed acrylic does — while still draping softly enough to feel like part of the room. Made-to-measure sizing matters here too: porch openings are rarely standard, and custom-cut panels in your color and header close the gaps that stock sizes leave.

Most outdoor curtains, ours included, are water-resistant (water-repellent) rather than fully waterproof. Water-repellent Sunbrella beads rain off the surface and dries fast without soaking through or growing mildew. A truly waterproof, sealed panel would block rain but trap condensation underneath — which is why water-repellent is what most patios actually want.

Solution-dyed acrylic — Sunbrella is the best known — is the top choice. The color is locked into each fiber, so it resists UV fading, and the fabric is water-repellent and mold-, mildew-, and stain-resistant. That’s why we cut every outdoor panel from genuine Sunbrella instead of repurposed indoor fabric.

Weigh them down and anchor them. A weighted hem at the bottom, corner grommets or anchor points, and tiebacks all keep panels from thrashing in the wind. For very exposed spots, cinch the curtains back with tiebacks when a storm rolls through, and use rustproof hardware so nothing seizes or streaks.

For Sunbrella, brush off loose dirt, then clean with a mild soap-and-water solution — or a diluted bleach mix for stubborn mildew — rinse thoroughly, and let the panels air-dry. Because the acrylic resists mildew to begin with, regular light cleaning usually keeps it from taking hold. Always check the care guidance we include before deep-cleaning.

They help. Water-repellent curtains block wind-driven rain from the sides and cut how much reaches your furniture and floor, while adding shade and privacy at the same time. For full protection in a downpour, use them with an overhead cover — the curtains handle the sideways weather, the roof handles the rest.

Yes. Every panel is made to measure in Sunbrella — give us your width and drop, choose the header, color, and stabilizing options, and we cut to your patio, porch, pergola, or gazebo. Not sure how to measure an outdoor opening? Our team will walk you through it.

Sunbrella is one of the most reliable choices for mold and mildew resistant drapery. The solution-dyed acrylic doesn't absorb moisture the way ordinary fabrics do. Its water-repellent finish sheds rain and dries fast, so damp never lingers long enough for mold or mildew to take hold. Sunbrella curtains are also known as water repellent curtains.