Patio Shade Project
A backyard patio can be an aesthetically pleasing as well as functional outdoor space, which you can use for relaxing or eating meals with the family, or for entertaining guests. Unfortunately, in many areas of the U.S., the summer afternoon sun can make patios uncomfortable to enjoy. In addition to bombarding patios and their occupants with harmful, sunburn-causing ultraviolet rays, the sun unleashes visible light that can make for lots of squinting. Fortunately, there are several patio shade projects that can help. Does this Spark an idea?
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Building a Pergola
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A pergola is a covered archway or arbor, which typically supports growing vines to form a shaded canopy. While a pergola may not be able to provide an entire patio with shade, it is a sturdy -- and potentially stylish -- solution for creating partial shade. You can build a basic pergola structure by setting up a double row of wooden pillars or posts and fastening them together with horizontal beams. To cover the open spaces of the pergola, you can install latticework and grow vines, or alternatively, you can cover the pergola with awning fabric. For best results, use a weather-resistant wood material for pergola construction, such as pressure-treated lumber, western red cedar or redwood.
Setting Up Umbrellas
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One of the simplest options for providing shade to a patio is to set up an umbrella or multiple umbrellas. Like pergolas, umbrellas may not be able to provide full coverage for patios, but they can provide shaded spaces for people to gather and sit. Homeowners most commonly set up patio umbrellas in conjunction with specialized, umbrella-holding outdoor tables. These tables have holes at their centers for accommodating umbrella poles. To ensure that patio umbrellas do not fly away with the wind, you should secure their bottoms into weighted platforms, such as ones filled with sand or water. Some patio umbrellas also have pivot functions, which allow you to position the umbrellas at specific angles for more precisely blocking out the sun's rays.
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Setting Up a Portable Shade Canopy
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Most portable shade canopies, which you can find at home supply stores and camping/outdoors stores, consist of four poles and a fabric covering. You set up the shade canopies just like you would tents or screen houses. In most instances, the process requires assembling and connecting poles and then draping the fabric canopy over the top. However, you should always follow the specific instructions of the manufacturer. In comparison to pergolas and umbrellas, portable shade canopies are typically able to shade larger continuous portions of patio.
Installing a Retractable Awning
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Like a portable shade canopy, a retractable awning is a patio shade option that can provide a large, continuous zone of shade. However, instead of having to disassemble the awning to let in the sunlight, you either turn a manual crank or flip a switch. The awning then pulls in its fabric canopy, rolling it up neatly. Installing a retractable awning over a patio can be problematic, as it requires a large, sturdy structure -- such as the side of a home, garage or shed -- for support. If your patio is not adjacent to such a structure, you will likely want to seek other shade options.
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