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Whew! It’s toasty out there. Soaking up the summer sun is one of the joys of the season, but when the sun’s rays start working overtime it’s time to protect yourself – get out of the sun. But what if you’re not blessed with a covered patio – how do you create shade where you so badly need it?
First, let’s understand that the sun’s rays don’t just warm us humans, but also everything they touch. That means your wrought-iron patio set that looks so amazing can turn into an extra-large branding iron in the summer sun. In fact, all the things the sun shines down on absorb the rays and radiate off heat.
By adding shade to your outdoor patio, a large area of space can be sheltered from those rays, lowering the temperature of the area by as much as 30°F. That’s a lot of degrees, and the main reason that we instinctively search out shade when we begin to overheat.
Here at Patio Heat and Shade, we make it our business to keep you comfortable while you’re outdoors enjoying your patio… and we’ve got some ideas on how to lower the temperature of your outdoor oasis. Lucky for us, we’ve got a talented group of people we call our patio experts who know just about all there is to know about keeping people comfy all summer long.
We’ve asked our experts to put together some of their favorite outdoor cover ideas for shade and sun protection, and they came back to us with some fantastic ideas for us to share. Let’s take a look…
When you have a detached patio space, sometimes it’s hard to come up with the perfect adjustable shade. Both canopies on the FIM Manufacturing Flexy Twin FT double canopy are independently closable and tiltable, allowing those who want sun and those who need shade to coexist happily in your outdoor patio space. You can get the Flexy Twin in sixteen vibrant colors, with ground insert, deck mount or a freestanding offset to anchor your twin canopy system to keep Mother Nature at bay.
Adding an awning to your outdoor space not only cools your patio, but covering windows and doors with the shade also keeps down your AC costs! Remove the valance (as the homeowners have done here) for a sleek, modern look on the Advaning Slim Gray Series retractable awning or leave it attached for a more classical look.
Shade sails, simply put, are a stretched canvas that covers your patio space. With multiple fabric and color combinations available, the Custom Shade Sails CSS12-16REC-RD commercial grade shade sail blocks up to 99% of the harmful UV rays. Proudly made in the USA, this shade sail sports marine grade stainless-steel corner rings and includes mounting hardware.
Pergolas are fantastic for blocking some of the sun’s rays, but when you need more protection the humble shade sail comes to the rescue. Using only premium-grade materials, the Custom Shade Sails commercial awning is built to last (right here in the USA). With two fabric options (WeatherMax or Polytex) you can select from a lightweight, breathable material or one that is waterproof.
Little ones love to play in the pool (heck, some of us do too!), and who can blame them. Keep them safe by mounting a Custom Shade Sails rectangular shade sail over the shallow end, allowing them to play for hours longer by avoiding the direct effects of the sun’s rays. Those little ones still need sunscreen lotion as the water’s waves will reflect sunlight on them even if they’re in the shade.
Using a single large shade sail to protect your entire pool is a great idea – but if your pool is a little bigger you can mount multiple shade sails (as shown here) to keep your guests cool as the splash-fest continues. The Custom Shade Sails commercial grade rectangular shade sails use only premium materials (like marine-grade stainless-steel) and are proudly made in America.
Fishponds and other water features make fantastic focal points that your guests can enjoy all summer long, unless they’re clogged with algae. Pond algae LOVE the sunlight, so keep your algae at bay (and cut down your pond cleaning time) with the simple addition of a Custom Shade Sails commercial grade triangular shade sail. Available in three different sizes, two fabrics and over twenty colors, trust these American-made beauties to provide the perfect shade over your water feature.
When using triangular shade sails, remember to have one corner higher (or lower) than the others (about a 15% pitch) to help with water runoff. Here we have multiple Custom Shade Sails triangular commercial grade shade sails mounted together to create a long shade canopy. Not only are these sails commercial grade, but they also come with mounting hardware ready to install in most locations.
Yup, we’re still transfixed on keeping the little ones cool as they play their day away. Prying your little ones away from their screens is hard enough but asking them to enjoy their playtime in the blazing sun is a little much. The Coolaroo 434489 triangle party sail is an inexpensive way to keep them cool and active at the same time. An equilateral triangle that is 9’10” on each side will provide plenty of skin-cooling shade in brilliant and festive colors.
With a frame constructed from sustainable and eco-friendly bamboo, the Bambrella Levante 4M R-L-E bamboo market umbrella is solidly built with 304 stainless-steel metal fittings. Capable of withstanding winds up to 55 mph, the double pulley rope system provides for easy opening and closing of the parasol system.
Without a center pole to get in the way, cantilever umbrellas are preferred by many as the go-to shade for their patios. The California Umbrella 194061158036 cantilever market umbrella has a huge 9’ diameter canopy to shade your shindig. Built from heavy duty aluminum, the canopy tilts and turns a full 360°.
Step 1 in keeping your family and guests comfortable during the hottest parts of the year is to provide them with just the right shade in the just the right places. Here at Patio Heat and Shade, we’re happy to give you a little inspiration with these 11 outdoor cover ideas, and trust that you found one or two that would fit in perfectly with your own backyard oasis.
But what if you’re not sure which of these solutions is just right and will give you maximum shade for minimum dollars? We’ve got the solution for you – our patio experts are ready to answer your call. Reach out to us if you have any questions and we’ll help you find the perfect solution for your special patio. Give us a call – we promise to treat you like family.