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A Cooler Patio Design Using Shade Sails and Awnings
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The majority of patios are created to be in full sun. Not necessarily, in hotter regions, the scorching midday sun, but enough sunshine to relax, feel good, and absorb some vitamin D.
Patios are also a hub for family-centered activities and for friends to gather outside around the barbecue or fire pit.
However, having too much sun can make the patio more uncomfortable than enjoyable. The addition of an awning in your patio design will allow you to enjoy the sun’s warmth without becoming burned by the sun and also provide protection against passing showers. Patio awnings, canopies or shades are a very useful addition to your outdoor comfort.
Awnings can be either permanent or a retractable type. A fixed awning simply stays in the same position all the time. Permanently attached to a frame of steel or aluminium, It is usually some type of shade cloth. Quick and easy to store away, retractable awnings can be purchased in either electric or crank operated versions. In climates, yards, or landscaping plans where permanent awnings must be dismantled at the approach of winter and erected again in spring, retractable awnings, which can be left in their cassette all year round, are especially useful.
A shade sail can be used as an alternative to installing a full awning. You can combine several small shade sails to cover a larger area or have them custom made. A simple tension system anchored to walls or poles is usually used to attach and install shade sails. Sails have the advantage of being portable: if you happen to sell your home, you can take the it to your new home and reinstall it there.
Shade structures were once all made from canvas. However, these days there are many colourful fabrics that are used to make shade cloths. Not just fancy garden decoration, these newer cloths are weather resistant which lessens the chances of sun or storm damage and gives them a much longer life. The tightness of weave creates different depths of light filtering which will allow you to choose the amount of sun protection you want.
Patio awnings and shade sails will help keep you safe from exposure to too much sun. They can also reduce glare, and can be found in colors to suit any existing color scheme.
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Hey I came accross this website that makes outdoor sun shades. They are becoming very popular these days to block the sun.
Comment by Outdoor Sun Shades — March 11, 2010 @ 6:22 pm