In the heat of the midday sun, it is great to have a shady place to retreat. With a wooden patio, a shade structure can be erected to both offer solace in the heat and enhance the look and feel of a lawn or garden. Pay close attention to the types of materials used so that the colors and textures of the shading structure feels at home on the patio. Choose woods that are compatible with the existing deck wood so that they feel more like an addition than an afterthought. Does this Spark an idea?
Pergolas and Arbors
A pergola is a partially open structure created by stringing boards overhead. They provide shade when the sun is at a steep angle and partial shade when the sun is overhead. An arbor is similar to a pergola, except latticework is used between the beams. Decorative in their own right, ivy and other vines are often trained to grow up and around the structures. Flowering vines can be especially beautiful, especially after the vines have had a few years to strengthen and are able to blossom. In the right climate, grapes or other fruits can be grown as natural snacks for guests.
Roofs
A solid roof provides shade to an area as well as protection from the elements. Building a roof is a construction intensive project and certain municipalities require a building permit. A roof has the added benefit of making a patio easier to close off in the future if walls or screening are desired. Creative carpenters can turn a roof into an upper patio by adding a set of stairs, effectively doubling the patio space while offering protection from the sun. A gazebo can provide a roof to a small part of a patio and create the feeling of privacy in that area of the yard.
Permanent Awnings
Awnings are sheets of fabric that stretch overhead. They are lightweight, which makes them easier to install and maintain. Awnings can be attached to the wall of a house so that they extend overhead, or posts can be attached to the patio foundation. The material used in awnings mean that retractable, partially retractable and canopy awnings are available to provide some versatility to the backyard. Awnings provide some protection from inclement weather, but can be damaged by especially high winds or strong precipitation.
Portable Awnings and Canopies
Portable awnings and canopies are great for garden parties or occasional repasts. Pop-up canopies can be extremely decorative and come in a huge variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Smaller canopies can be erected by one person and larger canopies often only require two or three. Because they are quick to set up and tear down, portable shading solutions can be replaced as a seasonal decoration or removed when weather is particularly bad or more space is needed.
