As the weather heats up, many people are ready to start spending more time outdoors. If the hot summer sun is keeping you from enjoying your deck or patio as much as you would like, you may be thinking about adding some shade to your backyard.
While the right landscaping can provide relief on hot sunny days, it takes years for trees and other plantings to mature. Umbrellas and awnings offer some protection from the elements but nothing beats the convenience of a permanent shade structure designed specifically for home and landscape.
Few backyard elements can do more to enhance outdoor living enjoyment than the addition of a permanent shade structure. Whether you’re barbecuing, entertaining friends and family, or just relaxing, a well-designed shade structure will increase the amount of time you spend outdoors while adding value to your property.
Shade Options to Consider
As the demand for outdoor living increases, there are many shade options for homeowners to consider. Here are just a few shade structures that add both beauty and function to outdoor living spaces:
Patio Covers
A patio cover is an attached structure that covers and provides shade for a patio or deck. Patio covers can be insulated or non-insulated. Enclosing a patio or deck with a cover is an effective way to provide protection from sun and rain.
Screen Rooms
A screen room can be installed on an existing structure, such as a deck or porch, or built entirely from scratch. With a solid roof and screened walls, screen rooms provide protection from sun, rain, insects, and other outdoor pests.
Underdecking Systems
An underdecking system is a waterproof ceiling attached underneath a second-level deck. Water from rain and snow is channeled through a gutter system away from the home. The addition of an underdecking system reclaims often unused outdoor space and turns it into a dry, comfortable outdoor living or storage space.
Benefits of a Shade Structure
Here are seven great reasons to add a shade structure to your outdoor living space:
1. Protection From Harmful UV Rays
Excessive exposure to UV rays can lead to skin and eye damage as well as skin cancer. People of all ages need protection from excessive amounts of UV rays. A shade structure helps protect family and friends from these harmful rays while allowing them to spend more time outdoors.
2. Protection for Outdoor Furniture
UV rays, rain, and other elements can quickly ruin patio furniture and other outdoor items. Protecting outdoor kitchens, grills, and furniture under a permanent shade structure will extend their life and allow you to enjoy them whether it’s sunny or raining.
3. Energy Savings
A shade structure that protects your home’s windows improves indoor comfort and can reduce utility bills. It also provides protection for indoor furnishings, carpets, and drapes by reducing UV rays which can cause fading and deterioration.
4. Additional Living Space
With people spending more time than ever at home, many are looking for additional space for both work and relaxation. Adding a shade structure increases valuable square footage. Screened enclosures and underdeck systems can be converted into year-round spaces for work, exercise, entertainment, and more.
5. Outdoor Privacy
As larger homes occupy smaller lots and the demand for outdoor living increases, backyard privacy is at a premium. No matter how well you get along with your neighbors, you likely want some privacy for dining, entertaining, or just relaxing in your yard. Adding a shade structure not only protects you from sun and rain, but it can also provide some privacy screening without erecting a tall fence.
6. Protection for Pets
The summer heat gets to all of us, including our pets. Depending on the breed and other factors, some dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke than others. Providing your dog with plenty of fresh water and shade during the hot summer months is essential for their health and wellbeing.
7. Add Value
One of the most popular real estate trends in recent years is an emphasis on outdoor living spaces. Homebuyers are focusing more on backyard areas and some are even willing to purchase a smaller house in order to have more usable outdoor living space. A well-designed outdoor shade structure will likely add value and make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers.
Get Your Outdoor Enclosure from the Pros
There are numerous benefits to adding shade to your outdoor living area. Regardless of what type of shade structure you choose, it’s important that it is designed to complement your home and landscape.
To create the perfect shade structure for your yard, working with an experienced contractor helps ensure that the structure blends seamlessly with your home and meets your specific needs.
RainTight of the Carolinas has unique solutions that allow you to enjoy your existing deck, patio, or porch regardless of the weather. Our team has decades of experience designing and installing custom-made underdeck systems, screen rooms, and patio covers. We can create a custom design that increases the value of your home, blends seamlessly with your existing architecture, and provides years of enjoyment.
We serve customers in a roughly 200-mile radius from Charlotte, North Carolina. Call us at (704) 322-3055 to schedule a free consultation.