Having a pleasant shaded area in your garden, terrace or balcony is the first step to making the most of it in the warmer months of the year. In this way, you can use it for longer each day, without having to wait for the sun to go down. And not only that! By placing some elements to provide shade, such as awnings, pergolas, or parasols, you will make that area of the house useful and also lower its temperature as it houses inside.
The climate does not always allow you to enjoy the outdoor corners with the open sky. Therefore, there are various alternatives to protect yourself from high temperatures or windy days and thus be able to take advantage of your oasis abroad. There are a wide variety of options. Before deciding on one, two important aspects should be taken into account: the dimensions of your garden – to be clear about how much shade surface you need to generate – and how and when the sun shines on it – to install the type of model in the right place that should shade you.
These elements also offer the plus of safeguarding our privacy from the prying eyes of some neighbours. Some models enhance the possibility of moving them easily, while others are fixed; some have the ability to generate a shadow of greater dimensions ideal for the largest areas of a garden, and others bet on the economic advantage for second homes or secondary areas that are given less use. Knowing what you like and what you need will make a choice right. So, discover the best solutions to shade your garden here!
Pergolas: Shade for All Tastes
To create a shady area on a large terrace, nothing is better than installing a pergola. From the most classic to the most modern, they have a fixed structure (in aluminium, wood, steel, or PVC) and can be free-standing or wall-mounted. They are easy to assemble and can be purchased as a kit, by pieces, or made to measure. You just have to know the dimensions.
The metal pergolas, steel or aluminium, may carry a fixed or a sliding awning, curtains, and mosquito nets or blinds for adjusting the lateral entry of light and air. Textiles are usually ecru, beige or taupe, made of weather-resistant materials, usually synthetic (polyester) or with a cotton blend. They can be washed and replaced.
The wooden pergolas are usually pine, spruce, or ipe. In the market, you will find a wide range of models, in different colours, with fixed or sliding awning, roofed and unroofed.
In case you need a custom pergola made as per your needs, contact Done Right right away.
Done Right is a team of experienced professionals known for installing and maintaining pergolas all around Florida. If you, too, need some assistance, knock at us. We are only a click away.
Awnings: Essential and Varied
The awnings provide a perfect solution set for balconies and terraces regardless of their size and shape. They are large and sturdy and provide ample shade. They help to lower the interior temperature of the home and reduce energy consumption in air conditioning. They are ideal for terraces, especially those facing south, east, and west.
Parasols or Umbrellas: Practical and Affordable
The umbrellas are very practical items for small spaces like balconies. They can be moved quite easily, are usually light, and consist of a mast (central or eccentric, aluminium or steel) and a polyester sail that is very easy to clean. In addition, some models include a handle on the neck to open and close them more easily.
Gazebos: Wide Shade Without Works
The gazebos are perfect for attics and spacious terraces. This element offers the same features like pergolas, but they are smaller and lighter and are easier to move, install and store.
Its structure is usually made of steel, but there are also aluminium and wood. They have an awning made of plasticized raffia or polyester. They are cheaper than pergolas, but they are also less resistant and less durable.
Shade Sails: Inexpensive and Effective
An easy and inexpensive way to provide shade for your garden or balcony is to place a shade sail. Some are capable of blocking UV rays up to 90%. They are fixed with different anchor points to a wall, to a tree, or to posts. Remember that you must take down the shade sail in winter to preserve it and keep it impeccable for longer.