These roll up shades have made an amazing difference in our living room comfort.  Live in an apartment with small covered deck and we hung the shade from the overhang to block our strong NC sun.  It is semi sheer but we are now able to live curtains open when sun is at its peak. Also keeps the room cooler, plus attractive to see.  Did tie shade to rail below porch roof to keep in place, we do not roll it up.