Outdoor shades are structures that can add more beauty to your outdoor living space. They can define your living space, protect you from elements, and can be your safe spot when you want to get relieved of stress. Many homeowners incorporate shades into their homes for convenient purposes.
You can find outdoor shades in various designs in the market, and this can make your choice of a structure difficult. Depending on what you want, you may want to select a structure that will serve different purposes. Before we look at the various types of outdoor shades you can put in your living space, let’s look at some of the benefits of installing them.
Benefits of Outdoor Shades and Structures
Outdoor shades are more than just structures that provide protection from UV damage. According to realtor.com, a significant percentage of homebuyers preferred homes with an outdoor living space like a gazebo over normal floor plans. Outdoor shades boost home values, so if you are looking to make lots of money off your property in a couple of years, remember to build an outdoor shade.
Outdoor shades give individuals peace of mind. No wonder they are specially built, out of the normal view. Outdoor structures provide a quiet place for someone to reflect and determine their next line of action. According to John Grossman, a quiet place outdoors has no physical borders or limits to perception. Staying in an outdoor space allows you to connect with your soul and everything at large.
With an outdoor shade, the weather can’t hold you down or prevent you from hosting that wonderful party or game. Your guests are comfortable, safe, and with minimal sun exposure. They are also used for protecting pieces of equipment and even goods. You can do anything you want comfortably without weather interference. Isn’t that cool?
Outdoor structures lower energy costs by keeping your home cool. The shades block the sunlight from penetrating the windows and doors, reducing the energy required to keep the temperature moderate. According to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, placing trees around your home strategically can save up to 25% of costs. Since outdoor shades provide the same protective function as trees, installing them is cost-effective.
Gazebo
Gazebos are the most common structures you can add to your living space. It’s a freestanding, permanent structure with a roof and open sides that provide an unobstructed viewing experience. A gazebo is a perfect place to hold a social gathering and enjoy mother nature with your friends, families, and neighbors. Some homeowners install heaters in their gazebo to keep themselves warm on cold nights.
Gazebos have so many rewards, and it’s not surprising that homeowners choose to have them. Gazebos allow you to interact with mother nature and observe the good things in it. In addition, it can host lots of activities. Whether it’s a family gathering, dining space or parties, a private space for intimacy and self-reflection, or even a wedding venue, a gazebo can suit all that. Not forgetting that they can boost the value of your home.
Gazebos demand space to achieve their luxurious design, so if you don’t have one, it might not be ideal to install them. However, they are expensive to build, especially the wood options. The non-wood options are slightly more affordable and are robust enough to last for a long time.
Patio Covers
Many patio covers are built attached to the main home, but with a roof. This makes the patio cover look like an additional home. In the summertime, patio covers can provide a safe, cozy spot for you. In winter periods, a patio cover with an outdoor gas or electric heater installed will keep you warm, while you keep yourself entertained.
Arbors
Arbors are similar to pergolas. The significant difference lies in the structure. Pergolas use lists as frameworks while arbors use lattice to form a large tunnel where people can enter. Arbors are excellent for walkways and can be built on decks, patios, etc. as a relaxing area. You can also few vines and tree-climbing plants for decoration purposes.
Pergolas
Pergolas are another freestanding structures with an open roof and sides that offer a full view, just like the gazebos. A pergola is a simple, yet unique structure that can add style to your space. Pergolas are similar to arbors and trellis. If you like, you can grow vines and other tree-climbing plants to add some valor to the entire space.
Pergolas are usually made up of wood or metal. The good thing about this structure is you can attach it to the side of the house, making it look like an additional room. They are permanent structures that are pretty expensive to construct.
A pergola is a nice spot for entertainment purposes. Pergolas can also act as your dining room, especially if you have visitors. You can construct it near the swimming pool too.
Like a gazebo, these structures can take ample space in your backyard or wherever you install them. If you have a small yard, a pergola can make your space even look smaller. In addition, it requires some form of maintenance to keep the structure in good condition in all seasons.
Pavilions
Pavilions are constructed with cover roofs. They are larger than gazebos and pergolas. This architectural structure is built mostly near a swimming pool for relaxation. Whether in summer, fall, spring, or winter, the weather does not affect you, and won’t interfere with your entertainment plans.
Span Shades
Span shades are also known as hip shades. These shades have a straight roofline that is mostly square-shaped or rectangular. One benefit of this type of shade is you can stretch it up to 20 meters and you can also install it low to the ground. They are ideal for swimming pools and recreation areas.
Shade Sails
Who said that fabric outdoor shades don’t turn out to be great? Shade sails are cost-effective structures that are designed using fabric. They can give your outdoor space a contemporary and stylish look that will leave you in awe. A shade sail is simple to construct, provided that you are handy. It simply involves stretching the fabric across uniquely engineered poles.
Shade sails are available in various sizes, colors, and shapes, so you have the liberty to create that special effect in your backyard. They can keep you protected from the harsh rays and give you some shade over the seating area.
Screened Porches
Screened porches provide a comfortable arena for children to play and have fun. You can host a dinner party and entertain your friends in these structures without having to worry about external noise.
Cabanas
A cabana offers a covered area for people to stay cool on those hot summer days. At the same time, these structures can keep you warm on cold nights, especially with a patio heater installed.
Umbrella Shades
Umbrella shades are excellent for shading lounge areas and games like snooker. They provide the perfect entertainment and relaxation spot. They are economical to have and come in various colors and material types. Some are permanently installed, while others can be removed at any time.
Canopies
Homeowners can also add canopies to their living spaces. Although not as strong as other structures, canopies can provide almost everything other structures can. Besides, they are portable, and you can decide to move them to another befitting location if you want. That is something you can’t do with other outdoor structures, as they are more like permanent installations.
Canopies are affordable and are simple to install. However, they are only big enough to cover one or two tables with a few chairs. Also, they can be torn down by a strong wind, unlike other structures that aren’t affected by the wind.
Awnings
Awnings are flexible options that can make your living space chilly and exciting. They come in a variety of colors and designs that will keep you protected from the harsh rays. The good thing about awnings is that you can fold them conveniently when you no longer need them.
Cantilever
Like awnings, cantilever shades are flexible options that can protect against sun damage. You can have them in your backyard, on parking lots, playgrounds, pools, etc. They use few columns in construction and can maximize your open space efficiently.
Tips for Setting Up an Outdoor Shade Structure
As we have already proven, adding an outdoor shade structure can be beneficial to your living. The health benefits attached and the aesthetics they offer are immeasurable. While these backyard options are excellent, without installing them properly or knowing what you want to use them for, you won’t get the best result from them. Below are some things you need to understand before opting for a backyard shade.
Know When You Will Be Outside the Most
This might sound a little too confusing, but considering this factor is important to how you can maximize your outdoor shade. Do you come out more in the morning or evening? If you come out in the morning often, then you need to orientate your shade to the North to get a shade. If it’s evening, you need to orientate your outdoor shade to the South.
That’s because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. You might not know the position of the sun at a particular time of the day, and that’s why you need to figure out if you are a morning person or otherwise. This will help you know where to place your structure relative to your house to avoid the sun rays.
Know Your Purpose of Setting Up a Shade
What you want from a shade will also determine how to set it. Do you plan on setting it up for just yourself or are there other people involved too? If you want an outdoor shade for your comfort only, then you need a structure that will just cover one or two persons. However, if you want a structure that can cover about six to eight people, you need a structure that’s big, around ten to twelve ft. in length.
Factor In the Cost
Undoubtedly, this is the most talked-about factor when purchasing anything in the market, including outdoor shades. You might love a gazebo from a style perspective, but you might end up discarding it because of the costs involved. Gazebos are expensive to build, and unless you have what it takes to cover the costs, we advise that you opt for simpler ones like a pergola or a canopy. These structures will meet your needs nicely, and if you are a DIY kind of person, you can build them yourself and cut down costs.
Design Preferences
Most times, design determines the cost of building an outdoor shade. This is why gazebos and sail structures are quite expensive. However, if you love the design of gazebos, and you can cover the costs, why shouldn’t you have them in your backyard?
Whatever that you consider aesthetically appealing should be what you should have in your backyard. If you hate a particular design of a structure, there will be no need to go for it, as it would be a total waste of your money. So, take a look at the various options available and choose the one that you are most happy about installing in your backyard.
Choice of Material
Like the design, the material used in making an outdoor shade is essential. Typically, three main materials are used in making an outdoor structure – wood, metal, and fabrics. Wood is the most expensive option, but appealing. Metal and fabric are cost-effective materials, but that depends on what you want. It’s all up to you to decide which one is best before hiring a contractor to begin construction.
Landscape
Your location can dramatically change the course of things. If you live in an area that’s prone to wildfires, avoid woody structures. Timbers are combustible and can put you and your family at risk. If you live in an area that’s prone to storms, structures that you can take down easily like canopies are the best thing you can build.
Conclusion
Outdoor shades are essential additions that maximize one’s living space. They are valuable structures that can define your living space. Choosing any of the structures discussed in this guide will add some level of comfort and style to the home that you can enjoy all year round.