A well crafted outdoor living space can increase the amount of time you spend in nature. It’s advised when building any new patio, and other structures in general, you follow local permitting codes and hire a professional if needed. Take into consideration your budget, availability of materials and the architectural style of your home. This will all come into play when determining the type of shady area you can have in your backyard, so do your research. Also, make sure you pay attention to the orientation of your patio, where the sun rises and sets, and how you can best accommodate the seasons when incorporating your new structure.
Pergolas
These structures have become more popular in recent years. They are usually a free standing structure with horizontal slats layered across the top. They don’t offer much shade, but other means of shade can be incorporated into them.
Pergolas With Vines
Via Landscaping Network – Calimesa, CA
Like we mentioned before, pergolas can be shaded by many things. A common way of shading for this structure is with vines. It’s a natural and environmentally friendly way to shade what lies under the structure, while still allowing a bit of sun to peek through.
Shade Cloths
Via shadeform.com.au
Shade cloths are often used for porches, driveways, and swimming areas. They block the direct sunlight, but don’t necessarily shield you from the rain. They are very easy to install, they anchor right into the eaves of your roof, and they a known to be durable.
Steel Framed Roof
A steel framed roof, or even tin roofs, are a popular and affordable fix when seeing a shady retreat in your back yard. Such shade structures protect you from the sunlight and the rain, and when incorporated with wood, permanent shade structures even look modernly rustic. Not to mention the relaxing sound during rain storms.
Tuscan Style Patio
By Mark Pinkerton via HGTV
Tuscan style patios are always a classic. They boast beautiful and sometimes intricate designs, as well as higher ceilings than most structures. They usually have arches for entryways, and are often made of brick or stone, which means they’re very sturdy.
Plastic Roof Patio
Via rainandpine.com
For the nature lover, these plastic roofs are perfect. They allow shelter from the rain, but you can still catch just as many rays. Sometimes, you’ll see these types of coverings also with shades drawn back or over them, but usually they’re left open to the elements. That’s the whole point!
Paneled Patio
Much like a pergola, these slanted panels don’t totally block out sunlight or rain, but they are much closer together. Instead of an abundance of sunlight, you’ll get slivers. Just enough to enjoy without getting a sunburn.
Awnings
You often see these on boats or RVs, but awning scan be a perfect addition to your back patio as well. Some awnings hang directly from your roof, while others can be installed on top of a structure like a pergola. Many times, they will be retractable, so you can enjoy the seasons you want to, and shelter yourself when necessary.
Thatched Shade
Via capereed.com
A more uncommon means of shade is a thatched roof. Often incorporated into a bigger structure, these roofs are made up of dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, rushes, among other things to create this traditional covering.
Solar Fabric Shades
Much like shade cloths, these solar shades help keep solar rays to a minimum. They offer a bright ambiance without the direct light and heat from the sun. This type of shade though, unlike the shade cloths, are usually hung on tracks along a detachable rod. Just like curtains, they can be slid back and forth to offer more or less coverage.
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