In Florida, we are blessed with mostly beautiful, bright and pleasant days year round. But, during certain times of the year it’s a bit too bright – and hot! Many homeowners have opted for a shade structure of one type or another to make their outdoor living space cooler and more enjoyable – more livable. Here are some options that offer attractive design features as well as practical solutions for filtering or avoiding the UV rays and heat associated with Old Mr. Sun.
Pergolas have partially open roof structures that block some of the sun rays and look great anywhere in an outdoor living area. Columns can be square, rectangular or round, and finished with natural appearing stain, stucco or stone depending on the material. We recommend against painting most outdoor wood structures. Although most pergolas are constructed of wood, they can also be made with aluminum, steel, fiberglass, vinyl or a combination of materials such as stone or concrete columns and a wood or metal roof structure. Seldom do you find two exactly alike except for the ones purchased from mail order suppliers. You can see examples of custom designed pergolas here.
Trellises, Arbors and Lattice are terms for structures that are generally constructed from materials that are lighter than that of a pergola. Although similar to pergolas, they are typically installed for more decorative appearance and sometimes as a support for vines and other plants. We recently rebuilt a fairly large arbor that was formerly covered with overgrown, difficult-to-maintain vines, but no more. It is now a classic shade structure that defines a beautiful outdoor living area with a brick floor and stucco columns that support large timber beams, which bridge the space between this 1920s era residence with its garage. So, the lighter materials comment doesn’t always apply.
Awnings provide a more complete shade environment, and some can be retracted when the sun goes down and during storms. Retractable awnings are for avoiding the sun, not for protection from adverse weather. Fixed awnings are permanently installed and designed to withstand extreme weather conditions including high winds. They can include retractable vertical screens for protection from bugs during the summer. Awning surface materials are available in a great variety of beautiful, durable and functional fabrics. The most desirable is 100% solution-dyed acrylic specifically designed for outdoor use. The thread will not rot or deteriorate, and the better ones are guaranteed for workmanship and against fading. Visit Sunair Awnings to see examples and learn more about awnings from a quality manufacturer.
Overhead fans that are manufactured for the outdoors can be installed on pergolas, arbors and fixed awnings to provide further cooling. Misting fans provide an even more enjoyable environment.
Pergolas and awnings are immensely popular in Florida as well as other sunshine-blessed states. In future posts, we will discuss each type of shade structure in depth and offer suggestions for design considerations, strengths and weaknesses of various materials and recommendations for getting the best value.
Posted by John Atkinson
Posted by tampabaydecks 
