Our site is dedicated to providing homeowners and DIYers with the know-how and material knowledge to get more from their outdoor living spaces. The ability to enjoy your patio as an extra outdoor room of your home is something of a more recent trend that shows no sign of slowing. Many areas of the country can enjoy these spaces for three seasons and, in some cases, all four seasons.

Because of our audience, it is important for us to present a well-rounded view of what options are available. The staff at Patio Covers Place hail from the desert southwest, so their knowledge is much stronger in that area as it pertains to outdoor living. In other words, shade is somewhat of our ‘comfort zone’.

We all require shade to provide relief from those hot summer days. The intensity of the sun is not only harsh on our bodies, but can be damaging to outdoor patio furniture, cushions and other accessories. Ultra-violet rays are really the culprit.  The numbers vary, but the UV protection ranges from 70-95%.  There are a variety of shade styles that can be found to give you what you are looking for in terms of function and aesthetics.

Patio Shade Structures

The following are some of the more popular ways to shade your patio, deck or garden spaces. Using one or more of these will provide you with an assortment of flexible options.

Patio Covers
This is a broad or general term that encompasses a host of built structures. By built, we mean to say that these are most often constructed to be used in some specific location of your backyard. They are very often constructed of woods that resist moisture and long-term exposure to the elements.

Woods like red cedar, redwood or treated pine and Douglas fir are often more economical choices. Each of these can also be sealed or stained and sealed to provide you with even greater durability and protection from the damages of the sun and weather.

Pergolas

The pergola is a very common and classic type of patio structure that provides a variety of types of shade. The lattice roof of the pergola provides a great way to give you partial shade and allows for vines or climbing plants to grow up to provide you a sort of ‘living roof’. This will give you even more shade and possibly flowers, for both scent and visual appeal.

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Another appeal of building a pergola is that they can accommodate a variety of other outdoor living accessories. Things like outdoor lighting or a fan can be mounted to the roof and provide you with a more comfortable experience. Also, items like patio misters can be used to provide even further cooling of your space.

Gazebos
Similar in concept to the pergola, a gazebo is a stand-alone unit that has a unique shape and character to it. They often have a more fully covered roof with a dome shape to them. Railings are often found around them, occasionally with built-in seating or benches.

The gazebo is a bit less flexible in terms of how it can be used. Where the pergola can be attached to your home, existing ranch-style patio roof or be a free standing unit, the gazebo sits alone. This doesn’t lend itself to being used as a greater or expanded area of your home as extra square footage or living space, but it will certainly provide for shade, more noticeably more direct, overhead sun.

Fabric Shade Structures

This fabric shade structure was made using a simple frame and then draping the fabric over those pieces. It's simple, attractive and effective!

As we move on to these types of fabric shading styles, you’ll notice that there are some ways of getting the best of both the pergola and the fabric items listed here.   The ShadeTree® family of retractable canopy systems are some of the more flexible to use.  They can even be adapted to fit an existing structure.  These styles are quickly becoming the more popular way to shade patio and deck spaces. Unless your deck designs have a custom built cantilever type of wooden overhang, you’ll still need to consider ways of shading your space.

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Awnings and Canopies
Different styles of awnings exist to provide you with a wealth of shading options. Whether you’re looking to shade a common 10’ x 10’ space, or you need something much larger, there are a variety of awnings that can suit your needs. Awnings represent a similar product as the canopy. Canopies are more often fixed structures; like the pop-up, Easy-up or temporary canopy structures.

You can find more information regarding those specific awnings and canopies by reading our past articles on these topics.

Quick Reference:
Retractable Patio Awning
Vinyl Awnings
Porch Awnings
Awnings for Home
Garden Awnings
Roll Up Awnings
Deck Canopies
Patio Shades
Patio Canopies
Garden Canopy

Shade Sails

These multi-layered shade sails made great shade for a variety of backyard or patio applications.

Another type of fabric shade that deserves a bit of its own mention is the shade sail. These are more contemporary looking, even though they’ve been used around the world for decades. They have a very modern appeal to them and are very simple to use. This makes them a great candidate for use in your backyard.

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They come in a variety of colors and materials are similar to the awnings and canopies listed above. A high density polyethylene is the most commonly used. Knit designs allow for the air to pass, keeping the sun out and high temperatures from building up below the sail. These sails share many of the same design characteristics as the next product.

Shade Cloths
We’ve written about this product as well. It is a more general term that describes several types of fabrics. With the trend toward more green or eco-friendly products, there are now shade cloths that are made of durable materials that are not harmful to the environment. Many of the ethylene-based products have bi-products that are damaging to the environment.

Keep in mind that these cloths can also be used to shade a garden or other play area. Playground shade structures are another great example of what can be done with these. Whether you have a smaller jungle gym set or one of those larger DIY playground kits you can buy at your local warehouse stores or build yourself.

As you can see, there are a wide variety of styles available. As part of your backyard landscaping, shade is a critical piece of the design. All of these sun shade structures will give you what you’re after, you just first have to understand how you use your space. Hopefully, these ideas give you a clearer place upon which to further clarify your shading needs and plans.

With summer quickly approaching, you will need to invest in a product that will block the unwanted and powerful sun rays from damaging your garden as well as you skin. Shade cloths are special applications that are designed to protect outdoor areas from the sun. A shade cloth can be used to cover a patio, garden, or greenhouse. If you are looking for solar protection and you do not want to spend the money or energy of building or installing a hardtop cover on your patio, consider the benefits of installing a sun shade cloth as an affordable alternative. You might want to investigate the more popular shade sails to use in your backyard space.  They are both contemporary looking and leave you with more shaded space over fairly large areas.

Various Uses

Here are two pieces attached to one another with the right shade cloth fasteners or hardware to keep them taught.

A sun shade cloth is used for shading in a variety of ways. While the primary purpose for use on your patio is greater comfort and protection, it can be used in inventive ways to protect various areas of your yard or garden, too. Homeowners can shade UV-sensitive plants, livestock and poultry, outdoor work areas, greenhouses, play areas and more.

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In addition to shading, a quality cloth can be used as bird netting, temporary fencing, truck tarping, and erosion control. If you are looking for one material that can be used for a variety of different purposes, look no further than patio shade cloths.

Different Types of Cloths

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Shade cloths are made out of a variety of different materials depending on your need and your budget. These materials differ in some ways from solar shades, but do have similar functions.  Many of the same technologies to develop the shades are used in making the cloth as well.  Woven shad cloths are about 30 percent heavier than knitted cloths and will cost approximately 30 percent more per square foot. When you are comparing sun shade cloths you will need to consider

This shade cloth covered pergola is a common application of this flexible material.

what type of material the cloth is made of. Polypropylene materials are very durable and will hold up under the most extreme temperatures. While polypropylene materials are durable, they only come in black and are not the most attractive choice on the market. Other common colors are green and shades of brown (sandstone, khaki, tan). If you want a shade that will add style to a patio or a garden, consider investing in a brand name product.  You can learn more about these in the ‘where to buy’ section below.  When you are comparing different materials consider the percentage of protection. When a material is rated 70 percent this means the cloth blocks UV rays by 70 percent.

Installation

Here is a classic example of how a shade cloth or sails are attached to a stationary anchor point.

Installation is extremely easy and will not require assistance from a professional. If you are shading an existing foundation you can use the support beams to harness the cloth with screws.

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If you’re installing garden shade cloth or covering an existing area without an adequate support system, you will need to take the time to install posts or other anchor points to hold the cloth firmly in place. Measure the size needed for any specific area and attach the cloth to the support and you are done.

Shade Cloth Prices

Where Do You Buy Them?

The cost of sun cloths very significantly depending on the type of materials you are investing in. Knitted fabrics are priced between $2.50 and $3.50 per square foot whereas a Coolaroo shadecloth will cost between $5 and $6 per square foot. Most home improvement stores sell shade cloths in 6 foot rolls. If you want to find the best deals, shop the brand names online.  Click on their names to learn more about them:  Sunbrella and Coolaroo.  In fact, there are online stores dedicated to selling this fabric alone.  Check out ShadeClothStore for ideas.

No matter what you call them, they provide you with both great shade features as well as an aesthetic component not often found in other types of patio covers.  These shade sails will give you an entirely unique feeling to your backyard patio area.

Originally, these patio shade sails were made to provide the residents in Australia with cooler summers.  Many areas of the ‘land-down-under’ experience heat extremes like much of the desert Southwest of the U.S.  These areas find shade a premium commodity – the same is true for many homeowners who enjoy their patio living.

Triangle Sun Shade Sail 11 Feet 5 Inches with Hardware Kit – Sand Sun sail shades are ideal for gardens, entryways, children’s play area, patios and pools. Constructed of high density polyethylene weave fabric, it blocks 95% of the sun’s dangerous UV rays while “breathing” to allow air to circulate and keep the environment underneath much cooler. With its breathable design it will also allow water to filter through. It is color fast and won’t rot, mildew or mold. Shade Sails can be easily attached with its corner D-Ring. This pack comes with the following attachment accessories: 3 pad eyes, 2 turnbuckles and 2 snap hooks. Assembled size is 11 feet 5 inches each side

These sail awnings come in a variety of shapes and colors and can be mounted in different ways to achieve the type of shade you seek.  Colors may include: tans, greens, blues, yellow, red and even purple.  In the most common scenario, triangle shade sails are mounted between three fixed points.  The awning or sail canopy material, itself, can be made of nylon or canvas and trademarked fabrics, like Sunbrella and Coolaroo.  These newer, patented fabrics are typically longer lasting, with UV-resistant properties versus their canvas awnings counterparts.

Titan 16.5 Ft X 16.5 Ft X 16.5 Ft Triangle Sun Shade Sail (5x5x5m) Shading Canopy ~ Sand Color Your ordering a 16.5 ft triangle shade sail. The shade sail offers a comfortable, attractive and stylish solution to beat the heat in your outdoor living area. Don’t let the dangerous UV Rays prohibit you from enjoying the outdoors. Protect your family, friends and guests with this nice sized Shade Sail. Shade Sails are architecturally attractive and add a new dimension to your outdoor living. Their unique shapes and flexibility let you create interesting and unusual angles in patios, gardens, entryways and childrens play areas. The shade sail can be mounted virtually anywhere that shade is desired. The sail is made from high quality 160g/m2 polyester material with PA coating (90% UV block). An ideal application for stringing between trees for shade in the backyard (especially for youngsters with sensitive skin).

The triangular shaped sails are followed closely in popularity by the square sail.  Both come in pre-made sizes or you can order custom sizes to meet your unique patio, backyard or other space needs.  You’ll want to ensure that the hardware used to hang and mount your sails to is resistant to rust and damage from high tension.  These sails do not flap in the wind, they are tightened quite taught.

Coolaroo Square Shade Sail 11 Feet 10 Inches with Hardware Kit, Desert Sand Coolaroo square shade sails have many different uses from cooling the backyard patio to shading the kids play area to keeping the horses, dogs, goats and other four legged friends cool and out of the sun. The unique Coolaroo fabric provides up to 90% UB block and the woven fabric allows air flow that reduces the underneath temperature up to one third. The combo pack comes with the following attachment accessories: 4 pad eyes, 2 turnbuckles and 2 snap hooks. Assembled size is 11 feet 10 inches square. The fabric has a 10 year warranty against UV degradation.

Waterproof Shade Sails

The nature of some of these sails to resist water is one of their best features, when needed.  These waterproof shade sails are best for applications for swimming pool covers (indirect), playground areas, watered backyards and deck areas and for marine use – like over boats – in a dock.  In many cases, the same trusted Sunbrella name provides the waterproof and UV-ray resistance at a 98% blockage rate.  This rate of sun ray blockage varies among patio shades.  Most typical shade sails offer a 70% blockage.

Like other types of window screens, these are really nothing more than a mesh material that has somewhat fine pattern to keep as much of the intense ultraviolet sun’s rays out of your home as possible.  This adds up to not only a more comfortable indoor space, as far as temperature goes, but also less cooling costs and a protection of your furniture and other items in the room. There are some that argue that the claims of how much heat is reduced are wildly over-rated by the blind companies, but there is no arguing that they reduce the amount of UV light entering your home.

It’s true, the ultraviolet rays have damaging effects on the fabric materials used in furniture and rugs.  If you have pictures or paintings on your walls, the sunlight can be damaging to these as well.  You might know that some of the outdoor furniture fabrics are now made with ultraviolet-resistant properties.  Sunbrella™ is one company that has really pioneered this advancement.

Well, a screen on your window will go a long way toward keeping the damaging rays out in the first place.  The reason we include a discussion about these window screens on our patio site is that they make great sense for a patio room.  If you’ve got a place you like to go to read or relax, the exposure depending upon the side of your home can be too extreme to enjoy at certain times of the year.  These can greatly enhance your level of comfort in those rooms for longer stretches of time and seasons.

One of the most critical exposures on your home to consider these types of screens is the south and west exposures.  These are the ones that will get the brunt of the summer sun’s intensity.  The southern wall will have a longer exposure period and can heat up drastically during the longer summer days.

Their purpose is clear, but what about other features?  The mesh screen is ‘porous’ enough to easily allow you to see through it from the inside and still allows for some added privacy from outdoors.  Most times, these screens appear black or a dark brown color from the outside.  Some HOAs will give you a hard time about these, but you can usually win your case. You may need to show samples of the screens in place. They are fairly unobtrusive and don’t stand out much apart from the windows themselves.

Repairing or Replacing Your Solar Window Screens

A tear like this is best replaced not patched

If you get a tear or rip in your screen from degradation over time or from cleaning, you can probably repair it yourself.  If the tear or rip is large enough, you might be better off just replacing the screen entirely.  The process does require some tools, however.  Mostly, you’ll just need a spline or splining tool.  It looks like a small pizza cutter and is used to roll the rubber or vinyl spline into the grooves in the screen’s frame.  You can purchase the new screen material at your local home improvement warehouse.  You may be able to reuse your old spline material.  If not, you can purchase that again as well.

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If you can use your existing material for measurements, that is ideal.  If not, simply measure the frame and add about ½” to all sides to account for the depth of the spline track.  You will just trim away any excess and cutting it too short simply will not fit.  Once you’ve cut your screen to size, lay it flat over the frame – keep the screen material stretched taught – and begin using the spline roller to put the spline back into the groove, pressing the screen material in place.  You’ll want to do this firmly but not excessively, as you may tear your screen material.  Once complete, repeat this step on all four sides.  Trim off the excess around the frame and you’re ready to put your new solar screen back up.

The type of screen you’ll find today is typically a vinyl or other type of man-made or synthetic material. Metal is another option, more common in the past. Metal is more often used for the smaller mesh window screens that are used in the hung window region. When your window is open, these screens prevent the insects from coming in your home. The screen material come in rolls that can be cut to your specific needs. If you’re ordering them for the first time, all you’ll need to do is have the window blind representative measure and even install them when they come in. Installing them only takes a few hours and can be done in a variety of ways. Some are mounted directly to the frames of the windows, others are screwed through the stucco of your home into the framing. The use of little brackets hold the solar screens in place. They can be easily removed to clean the windows or for the repairs mentioned above.

What the porch offers is a place to recount the days events, share time with friends or family and just enjoy a little down time away from the hussle and bussle of daily life.  Where you might consider a covered patio a more effective use of your home’s space or layout, the porch offers a more open feeling.  It can provide a more inviting place to share a cool drink and a nice conversation or good book.

So, with this in mind, how do you go about shading it to keep it everything you’d like it to be?  Well, the first thing to consider is the size of your porch area.  Modern front porch designs include many features and furniture items that just didn’t exist many years ago. This will affect the size and style of the awning you select.

If you’re talking about using this type of awning for a smaller space, then a manually operated awning will work just fine.  These roll up awnings are made to easily retract, but the process can get cumbersome for some individuals and for certain applications.  For larger or multiple areas, you might look into getting a motorized retractable awning.  These work in the same fashion as the manual ones, they are just much more simple to operate.

Patio Awning Materials and Designs

Your awnings will consist of several parts; the framework and the fabric material itself.  Most cases and moving parts are made of more durable and lightweight metals.  An aluminum porch awning is probably the most common type of metal used.  The fabric has come a long was as well.  While you can still find canvas, it is more common to find vinyl awnings in various printed materials now.  There have been advances made in the way that these fibers are spun and colored so that fading due to ultraviolet (UV) exposure has been minimized. In addition to their durability, they also keep their color, as fading is also lessened by this process.  Because of the various patterns and colors available in today’s marketplace, this is welcomed news to homeowners looking to maintain that new look.

This leads to another topic, maintenance of your garden awnings.  Basically, you can follow the guidelines as set forth from the manufacturer of your particular awning set.  You may need to lube or oil certain moving parts.  The weather and conditions in your particular zone may necessitate unique cleaning instructions.  Cleaning the awning material itself is fairly straightforward.

Cleaning your patio awning is as simple as spraying with your hose and using a mild detergent solution.  You can also hand wash with a non-abrasive cloth and mild detergent, then wiped clean with a dry cloth.  The soap residue may interfere with the moving parts of your awning, so you’ll want to ensure that you clean them thoroughly.  This alone should keep your awnings functioning well for years to come.

As you shop for these awnings for home, consider the costs for the various types we’ve discussed weighed against the maintenance and other aspects of using your patio space.  If you spend much time outdoors, then it is certainly a wise idea to invest in some quality porch awnings.

While vinyl is descriptive of the material, it is more than this. There are a wide variety of awning styles, most of which are made of vinyl.  However, you can find exterior shutters that are made of bamboo, canvas, or other wood products. Let’s not forget about the fact that with a fabric awning like vinyl, you can also have them roll up and stow away when not in use.  The benefit of this type of feature is that in weather that might otherwise threaten a free-standing patio cover, your roll up awnings can be safe and secure in their own protected storage case.  As you might have guessed, these awnings are retractable.  This retractable patio awning feature is activated either manually with a crank handle or motorized.

Motorized awnings are activated by either a switch or via a light sensor.  The switch can be turned on by hand or with a remote, depending upon your particular unit.  Also, you can use a timer to have your patio awnings open and retract when ever you like.  The light activated model will be triggered to open or retract depending upon the movement of the sun in the sky.

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Why vinyl makes such a great choice for garden awnings is that it is both flexible and durable.  It can be washed with a simple mild detergent and hosed off.  This makes them quite durable to resist the effects of the weather and also from dirt and grime.  Many newer awnings are also able to better resist the effects of the UV light on the fabric as well.  The newer vinyl awnings can give you longer lasting life to help you enjoy more time on your patio which is what they are all about.

Awntech 16′ Beauty Mark Maui Retractable Awning with 12′ Projection Your patio or other outdoor area develops an attractively shady character with the addition of this 16′ retractable awning. The 12′ projection from the wall provides ample shade for outdoor gatherings or simple relaxation away from the harmful rays of the sun. The awning installs easily…

16FT Evergreen 1000XT Retractable Awning This Refurbished 16 ft. SunSetter 1000XT Awning is backed by SunSetter’s 5 Year Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty. The SunSetter Evergreen fabric extends out 10 ft. 2 in. from your house and is made of an exclusive multilayer Vinyl material that is 100% waterproof and blocks 99.9% of UV rays making…

12FT Taupe 1000XT Retractable Awning This Refurbished 12 ft. SunSetter 1000XT Awning is backed by SunSetter’s 5 Year Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty. The SunSetter Taupe fabric extends out 10 ft. 2 in. from your house and is made of an exclusive multilayer Vinyl material that is 100% waterproof and blocks 99.9% of UV rays making it…

Coolaroo Select Series Top Roll up Sun Shade 6 Feet by 6 Feet, Mocha Select series sun shades are made with the unique knitted Coolaroo fabric. They provide a stylish look with superior durability. The smooth action roller clutch mechanism is designed to provide a smooth even roll even when exposed to extreme weather conditions. Stainless steel tie downs included…

Sunsetter Retractable Awning – Motorized Pro 15ft. (Coffee Stripe) (15′ wide x 10′ extension) The Sunsetter Motorized Pro retractable patio awning instantly creates shade, protection and comfort anytime you want! With a touch of a button, the deck awing can make your deck as much as 20 degrees cooler, while guarding you, your family, and guests from harmful UV rays. This porch awning can…

12′ Easy – Up Roll – Out Awning Easy – Up Roll – Out Awning. Retractable shade to cool off your favorite summertime “hot”spot! Here’s the classic summer dilemma: you love hanging out in the fresh air, but sometimes that harsh midday sun can melt your enjoyment of the moment. Well, under this Roll-Out Awning, temps can be as much…

What you need in order for your space to feel comfortable is the use of shade. This is exactly what these awnings offer. Again, because we are mostly referring to the location that the awning will be used and not a specific type of awning, per se, a discussion about basic awning features and functions will work here.  For one point of interest, awnings come in a variety of styles and fabrics.  What one person calls an awning, another refers to it as a canopy.  It really is inconsequential what you call them, as long as you know what you want.  And, what you want is something that will provide you shade when you want it and where you need it.  In the case of a true garden space, at least in terms of how we see things around here at Patio Covers Place, an awning could really help you to get some great sun exposure when needed and avoid over ‘cooking’ your plants and vegetables or flowers in the intense summer sun.

To some, the term garden awning and garden canopy are synonymous.  We would agree with this.  However, garden canopies are mostly seen as those ‘easy up’ or ‘pop-up’ style structures.  These work great for temporary sun protection in a more inconspicuous area.  As was mentioned, these are often made of a cheaper fabric or less durable vinyl or polyester that will quickly degrade in the sun if left out for prolonged periods.

If you looking to create a nice shaded are for your patio or garden, one of these cheap canopies is not the recommended way to go.  It isn’t that there is anything wrong with these types of structures, they just will not give you the look of say a garden arbor or pergola would.  Again, these are specific structures that you may not be interested in, so a simple canopy might fit your needs quite well.  Do your research and determine if what you want is more formal patio awnings, like the retractable or motorized styles or if some of these garden awnings are more your style.

The most popular brand of these types of canopies is the Shade Tree.  What this looks like is a combination of a pergola and a roller awning.  There are individual panels that can be opened or closed to allow for a specific amount of shade.  They simply pull out like you would do with a roller blind in a window.  Once opened, they just lock into place until released.

These Australian style shade sails make great canopy cover for a deck or patio.

Another type of deck canopy is the ‘one-piece’ variety.  Not necessarily better or worse, this style is used to provide a more consistent type of shade.  While they aren’t completely permanent by any means, they are a bit more tricky to move around.  For this reason, something like the more flexible Shade Tree is a great option.  However, with this one-piece canopy cover, you can attach patio lights or other types of deck lights that could give you a whole new dimension to your patio.

Because some decking designs are only several inches to a few feet off the ground, they may blend in with a garden space.  If this is the case, then the term garden canopy may be used to describe this type of shade.  Again, it really doesn’t change what it is, just the name to describe where it is being used.  Some of these can describe a slightly less substantial shade canopy though.  In other words, there are fairly inexpensive ($100-150 USD) canopies that are made of vinyl or polyester fabrics that are temporary in nature.  These are what you might find at local farmer’s markets or other outdoor fairs.  We’ve  all seen these ‘pop-up’ canopies.  While they are quite handy and durable, using them for your deck or patio as something more permanent is a bit less desirable of a look.
If you’re looking for a gazebo style, then the following options may be a perfect match for your needs. You can click the pictures or descriptions and be taken to Amazon to review further or purchase directly there.

Outdoor Patio Pariesienne 10×10′ Gazebo This is more of an elegant version of a simple deck canopy. You can see how easily it can be ‘dressed up’ to create more ambiance.

Swiss Gear 10- by 10-Foot Smart Shade Canopy The sturdy powder-coated steel frame of this 10 x 10-foot shade canopy with a 106-inch center height features easy-release buttons that don’t pinch fingers and ensure quick and easy set-up without tools. Slanted legs increase stability, and 8 mm heavy steel nail stakes anchor the canopy securely. Made of heavy-duty, 210-D polyester, the water-repellent canopy is enhanced with a special fade- and UV-resistant coating to ensure durability. Dual stabilizer arms in each corner provide added eave support, along with “batwings” and guyouts for added stability in windy conditions. For storage and transport, the canopy packs in an expandable wheeled duffel bag and weighs 36 pounds.

ShelterLogic 8×8 Slant Leg Pop Up Canopy (Red) The Sport Series Canopies offer slanted legs for stability. The frame is constructed of tubular steel with high performance synthetic joint components and is bonded with DuPont thermoset baked on powder coating to prevent chipping, peeling, rust and corrosion. The legs are four-point adjustable for height. The polyester fabric cover is treated inside and out with fade blockers, anti-aging and anti-fungal agents. The polyurethane inside lining is double stitched and seam sealed with waterproof tape for optimal water resistance and drip-free seams. Includes: Full valance fitted cover, Temporary spike anchors, Wheeled storage bag.

Swiss Gear Smart Shade 10- by 10-Foot Screenhouse The Swiss Gear Smart Shade 10- by 10-Foot Screenhouse is great for areas where insects are more of a concern. The panels also provide for more shading while still allowing for airflow.

While your neighbors are probably not going to be judging you, it will still be a better and more sustainable patio structure to go with something that is made to be more permanently placed outdoors.  The materials and fabrics that make up these durable canopies have improved over the years.  The current fabrics are resistant to damage from UV rays and weather the other elements well.  If you do decide to go with the retractable patio awning style canopy like the Shade Tree, you will also be able to benefit by having the ability to close or retract your canopy awnings for extended periods of non-use time.  In the desert southwest, this can help you avoid UV degradation of your canopy (even with the UV-resistant fabrics, the sun eventually wins the war). In other climates, where high winds and heavy snow can ruin an awning canopy, this retractable feature is very important. What ever style you choose, you’ll be happy to have your new deck canopies for your next patio season.

Related Articles:

• Garden Canopy – A Family of Patio Canopies
• Shade Sails: Styles, Benefits and Installations
• Vinyl Awnings for the Garden or Backyard Patio
• Pergola Kits Make the Job Easier
• The Fire Pit Table Serves Several Needs

]]> http://patiocoversplace.com/deck-canopies/feed/ 0 http://patiocoversplace.com/roll-up-awnings/ http://patiocoversplace.com/roll-up-awnings/#comments Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:57:57 +0000 Mike http://patiocoversplace.com/?p=1044 With most types of awnings or patio shades, the main factor that is being addressed is shade.  Let’s face it, there isn’t much else that a patio awning is really supposed to do.  However, you can get shade for your patio or deck using other structures and patio accessories, so why are awnings the way to go?  This is what we will be discussing in this article.  Hopefully, you will appreciate how these roll up awnings can give you all the benefits of shade as well as some aesthetic and other additional functional benefits.

There are several styles of roll up awnings to discuss.  Like all patio accessories, it seems, there are often several names used to discuss one item.  The same is true regarding the various types of outdoor shades and awnings.  Besides finding the term spelled as one word, as in ‘rollup’ awnings, you might also see these listed as retractable awnings as well.  Many online vendors and outlets use some of these terms synonymously, so don’t be confused.

Roller Shades

How They Work
The name of these particular awnings, basically describe their function.  Roller shades work by way of a mechanical winding or rotor that simply rolls up the awning as it closes and unrolls it as it opens.  This allows you to not only control how much shade you would like to have (in some cases) but also to open or close them only when you want.

If you live in a very sunny region, you will likely have yours open much of the time. In areas where the climate is known to swing, you might want to only keep yours open when you are using your patio to avoid damage to the awnings from the elements.  This is one of the key selling points and best features of this style of awning.  The fact that they can roll up gives you the ability to keep them protected while not in use.  The metal tube into which your awning is stored does a great job of keeping them safe from water, sun, and dirt and grime.

What Kinds Are There?
The main types are the manual or motorized styles.  A manual roll up awning will have a crank handle that you simply turn to open or close your shade.  It can be locked away when not in use, so the handle is out of the way.  These are typically less costly than the motorized awnings.

The motorized awning comes in several styles as well.  Aside from them all being electrical, the differences are in how the opening or closing takes place.  You can get these to operate by way of a switch.  These would require you to turn them ‘on’ and ‘off’ to open and close them.  Then, there are motorized versions that operate by way of using a remote.  Same mechanical means of function, but with the ability to open or close them right from your chaise lounge.

Finally, there is the automatic retractable patio awning.  This one opens and closes following either a timer or can be activated by light.  In other words, you could either set it to open at the time you would normally go out to sit and close in the evening or allow the sun to open and close your awnings for you.  What ever type of style you choose, roll up awnings will certainly make your patio time more comfortable and enjoyable.

Related Articles:

• Porch Awnings: Attractive Shade Where You Need It Most
• Awnings for Home
• Garden Awnings Provide An Oasis In Your Garden
• Retractable Patio Awning
• Solar Garden Lights and Your Options

]]> http://patiocoversplace.com/roll-up-awnings/feed/ 0 http://patiocoversplace.com/exterior-shutters/ http://patiocoversplace.com/exterior-shutters/#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:29:09 +0000 Mike http://patiocoversplace.com/?p=738 I’d like to introduce you to the three different types of exterior shutters that are considered the most popular for homes that are concerned about security, safety and privacy. Each one has it’s own unique look, and the one that you choose will largely depend on your own personal tastes, and the decor of your home.

The first and most popular style is the louvered shutter. Quite simply, this style of shutter consists of horizontal louvers running along the length of the shutter at regular intervals. The best thing about this style is that the louvers can be adjusted to allow as much or as little light into your home as desired. This functionality cannot be achieved by any other style of shutter, and this is the reason why it remains the favorite.

This is the board and batten type of exterior shutter.

The second type is the board and batten. This is where you place a number of vertical boards together, quite often using a tongue and groove joint, and then reinforce them with a batten at the top and bottom of the shutter, and optionally along the middle as well. This style has a very rustic appeal, and is great in country style houses, as it looks a little bit like a barn door.  This would work well with some rustic lighting as well.

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The final style is the raised panel. This is generally a single length of wood with some panels attached. It is completely solid, and therefore provides the best protection for your home. This is the style many people choose if they live in areas that are known for heavy storms and hurricanes. With the recent worries about climate change, more and more people are starting to realize that they need to do more to protect their homes, and shutters are a great place to start.

Any one of these types of shutters is going to cost you a fair amount of money to purchase and get installed, and you are going to want to ensure that you are happy with your choice before laying down the money and purchasing your shutter. If you want to see a full range in order to ensure you don’t miss the perfect solution for you, then I would suggest you do some research online. Don’t forget that amongst the three types of exterior shutters mentioned here, there are both vinyl and wood solutions, and a huge range of colors and shades.

If you need to match your exterior shutters with a roman blind or some other type of window covering, then a bit of research should uncover the perfect style for your needs.  For more styles of patio shades and blinds, you can search our category section.

Related Articles:

• Solar Shades – A Great Help To Your Patio Comfort
• Bamboo – The Perfect Material for Patio Blinds
• Patio Blinds – For Outdoor Shade and Privacy
• Rustic Lighting – Making Your Patio Glow
• Outdoor Patio Shades

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