Outdoor Shades:
Shade Options & Shade Structures
New advances are constantly being made to outdoor shades. Materials are more beautiful and durable than ever before. Shade structures can tilt, roll up, roll down, roll out . . . manually or automatically . . . by sensor, by timer, or by remote control. Innovative construction gives you attractive options that resist being blown over or blown down. They can set up fast for an afternoon of refreshing shade or set up permanently for many years of dependable shade.
The right choices for your circumstances -- your personal shade solution -- can make your life easier and more comfortable, and you'll be sure to find options that fit your budget.
Outdoor shades are much more durable than indoor shades. They are specially constructed to stand up to the harsher outdoor environment -- sun, wind, rain, dust, and snow, heat and cold. Outdoor shades use special materials that are especially durable and resist fading. Support structures are treated to resist rust and corrosion and many are made of completely rust-proof materials. Mechanisms that control outdoor shade panels are extra durable, too, and electric motors for outdoor use are rated to safely work outdoors. And outdoor shades can be cleaned by just hosing them off. You can't say that about indoor shades!
Outdoor Shades
Permanent / Temporary
PERMANENT
Q. Do you need shade in the same area everyday? Maybe you like to have lunch outdoors in the spring or backyard parties on summer afternoons. Or maybe you have a pool or patio you use when the weather is warm.
A. Permanent outdoor shades such as patio covers and gazebos may be best for you.
What makes an outdoor shade permanent or portable depends largely on how it's "mounted". Permanent outdoor shades are mounted (attached) to the ground or a building and are intended to stay there all year long. Most outdoor shades can be repositioned somehow, in order to work in concert with the shifting sun . . . even permanent structures. Many can use moveable panels or slats, remote control, sensors or timers to move with the changing direction of the sun and glare.
Take for example, retractable awnings. They are typically mounted permanently to a building, but they can be extended or retracted depending on your shade needs. Patio covers may have a permanent lattice roof, but shade fabrics can be drawn across them to give more shade or removed to allow for more sun. Exceptions would be shade structures that are so large their shade covers all used areas all year long, so they don't need to be adjusted. This would apply to large public pavilions, for example.
TEMPORARY / PORTABLE
Q. Do you go to different places and events with your family or another group? Picnics or sporting events, for example. Do you want to shade certain areas in the summer but want lots of warm sunshine there in the winter?
A. Consider portable or temporary outdoor shades, like umbrellas and canopies.
Portable, temporary or "demountable" outdoor shades offer practical and cost-effective solutions where shade needs are infrequent, where shade is needed at a variety of locations or where a permanent structure would be inappropriate. Many of these shade structures are lightweight and collapsible for easy transportation. These can be rolled up or moved over to be out of the way when not needed. Some are so attractive you'll want to keep them out all the time, but they are not as durable as permanent outdoor shades, so stow them away when they won't be used for awhile.
Keep in mind that other outdoor cooling methods like misting systems, outdoor fans and others address different cooling needs and may provide better cooling for your situation than outdoor shades. None of them offers the sun protection of shade, but they can work together with your outdoor shades to provide the ultimate in cooling, comfort and safety.
Outdoor shades are made of two basic elements:
1. the shade structure 2. the shade material
Outdoor Shades
Structures
It's amazing how many kinds of shade structures have been devised. Add to that the fact that different cultures may refer to the same structure with different words. Or the same structure will be used differently in different parts of the world. So there is much overlap with their descriptions. However they are all designed to withstand the stresses of outdoor environments.
Even lightweight temporary shades can cause property damage or physical harm if blown over or knocked down. Just as your shade material must be securely anchored to the structure to prevent it from blowing around, the shade structure must be securely anchored to prevent it from tipping over.
Large areas of fabric or any other material used to provide large areas of shade naturally tend to collect any little breeze -- just like sails on a boat. Unless you're prepared for this by using shade materials that allow for good air flow, or by making sure the supports are well anchored, you may find yourself chasing your outdoor shades across the street!
Keep in mind that with all outdoor shades the shade will shift with the changing angle of the sun. The more permanent the shade structure and the less adjustable it is, the more you need to be aware of where its shade will fall -- ideally, even before it's set up. You can learn where shade will fall in your area by reading our section on Understanding the Shifting Shade.
Here is a general description of most outdoor shade structures. This is not meant to be a definitive list, but a way to give you an idea of some of the many options available.
Solid Structures such as patio covers and are often custom-made to suit a particular site, but kits are also available. They should be sturdily built, usually of specially treated woods, metals or certain kinds of synthetics. Because they are large and heavy, they must be carefully installed or they could cause great harm if they were to fall. That is why these structures usually require building permits. Discuss your building plans with your installer, or review them with your local home improvement store to be sure all safety issues are addressed.
Patio covers and Deck covers may be built with solid roofs that keep out rain, snow, and sun at all times. Or they may be built with an open frame (a "lattice" structure) that allows the sun to peek through, allowing varying degrees of dappled shade / sun. An advantage of the lattice structure is that it makes better use of air flow than solid structures, and allows the sun to shine through on cool days. On the other hand, the sun can still get quite hot when it shines through those open areas on hot days. And keep in mind, if it isn't shaded it isn't getting UV protection.
If you decide on a lattice roof, consider adding some kind of material (slats or shade cloth, or even growing plants) to shade the open areas. Some of these can be adjustable or removable, depending on your shade needs. Ideally, do this in the planning stages of your patio cover to allow for a more attractive, practical and affordable final result.
Pergolas are simply defined as frameworks, often used to support climbing plants. Their roofs are typically open-framed, allowing sun to shine through on any plants that might climb them. They provide little shade by themselves, but plants can climb over them and fill in the open framework with a lush and natural green, semi-solid shade. They can be as simple as their spare architecture, or as spectacular as the plants that cover them.
Gazebos and Pagodas, like many pergolas, cabanas and pavilions, are permanent freestanding shade structures; but gazebos are generally the most elaborate of all. From luxurious Persian tents to elaborate multi-story Chinese pagodas, to Victorian era bandstands, these have historically been places of beauty, comfort and rest. A typical gazebo is eight-sided with a solid peaked roof, but there are many, many variations. The number of sides may vary -- they may even be round, and the roof needn't be peaked, or even solid. Their sides may be completely open, allowing for every possible breeze. But more often the sides are used as an opportunity for ornamentation or beautiful windows.
Cabanas and Beach Huts originated with bath houses or water-side changing rooms. They might be solid structures or simply a screened area or tent. They typically have at least one side open to any water feature, such as a pool, lake or beach, perhaps made private with a curtain or door. They might be only large enough for one person to stand up in, or they might have changing rooms and a separate lounge area. More extravagant styles may include some kind of plumbing (ranging from a garden hose to a tiled shower) for an after-swim shower, but this is not always the case. As with most outdoor shades, the range of uses and designs are limited only by the imagination and budget.
Pavilions and Canopies use a minimal structure to support the materials that provide the shade. They may be no more than four or more slender legs with a lightweight overhead framework supporting equally light weight fabric, or they may be eight-sided wood or concrete structures that support a solid shingled or concrete roof. Pavilions and canopies can be purchased pre-fabricated, or in a kit, or may even be custom designed. Most, even the portable ones, can be fitted with misting systems and / or outdoor fans for the coolest and most comfortable shade.
There are not clear-cut definitions separating pavilions and canopies. One way to look at them might be that pavilions are generally considered permanent shade structures that are supported along the outside edges of the shade. Canopies tend extend out from the side of a building or from a narrow support. Pavilions typically imply a sense of size or grandeur. They are sturdy enough to withstand being bumped into by the numerous people that gather in them. A canopy is often thought of as being smaller or simpler. Car ports might be considered more of a canopy. Like pavilions they might be sturdy enough to withstand the elements all year, but are generally not sturdy enough to be run into by their occupants!
Awnings attach to a permanent support, such as the side of a building. This means their shade will often fall onto the building and cool the building's interior -- a plus to shading and cooling the outdoors. They may be small enough to cover only one window, or they may be large enough to cover an entire patio. Their shade is usually provided by fabrics, which may be waterproof (a good choice over doorways and windows) or water resistant to allow good air flow (good for large areas). They may be adjustable, allowing them to collapse or tilt to work with the shifting sun -- manually if they rarely need to be repositioned, or by motorized remote control (invaluable if they need to be retracted from a large area or are difficult to reach manually).
Tents are usually pre-manufactured, though many companies will custom design and make these for you. Their shade is provided by fabric, which keeps the structure very light compared to solid shade structures. Generally speaking, tents have fabric sides, but there are also open-sided tents, often called canopies. The most lightweight of these overhead shades can be collapsed and carried. These super-lightweight tents are fabulous to take to special events so you'll always have shade with you.
Tensioned Shade Structures or "Shade Sails" can be extremely dramatic with their curved sails that seem to fly even though they are solidly still. They are very much like canopies or pavilions, but instead of the supports holding up a framework, the supports hold up a shade cloth stretched tightly between them. The tension provides the support instead of a framework. The geometric shapes of the Shade Sail become more concave the tighter they are stretched. The height and angle of the sails can be adjusted to work with the changing angle of the sun.
Since the footings must be "rock solid", these are considered permanent shade structures. But it's possible to install a permanent footing with removeable support posts. Companies who specialize in installing shade sails can help you determine the best configurations to provide shade when and where YOU need it most.
Umbrellas protect us from more than just rain. What is a beach chair without an umbrella? A sidewalk cafe without umbrella-canopied tables? When used for the sun, umbrellas are literally "parasols", which loosely translates to "for the sun".
Unlike tents, canopies or sails that use three or more supports to hold the shade material, umbrellas typically use a single central support. This support can usually be tilted to work with the shifting sun, and most umbrellas can be collapsed or retracted to move aside when not in use. Some supports are even offset or "cantilevered", meaning they don't stick down the center of the shade like typical umbrellas (which are sometimes called "market" umbrellas), but are set off to the side. These work well in situations where you might need space to move around under the umbrella. Some umbrella styles use flaps around the edges to create just a bit more shade as the sun shifts.
Vertical Screens may use cloth to provide shade, or they might be made of carved wood, wrought iron, bamboo, wicker or rattan, or other decorative plastics or metals that allow varying amounts of sun to shine through. They are usually free standing or attached on only one side or at the top to a permanent support. This allows their multiple panels to be repositioned, allowing you to adjust the amount of shade they provide. These are especially good for providing morning or afternoon shade -- times when the sun is low enough to shine through their panels that filter the light.
Shutters are a kind of vertical screen. The difference between shutters and vertical screens is that shutters have slats that adjust the amount of shade in addition to their multiple panels. These are usually seen attached to the side of a window to shade the interior of a building. But they are being made in more and more sizes and styles. Shutters may be freestanding or attached to the wall of a building or the post of a patio cover. Like other vertical screens, these are especially good for providing morning or afternoon shade -- times when the sun is low enough to shine through their panels and slats that filter the light.
Fences and Walls might be considered permanent vertical screens. Like other vertical screens, these are especially good for providing morning or afternoon shade -- times when the sun is low enough to shine through their panels and slats that filter the light, or to be blocked by them completely. We often take them for granted -- existing fences and walls are often overlooked in shade audits. But they can provide tremendous shade when overhead shade simply cannot.
Curtains and Roll-up / Roller Shades use permanently mounted hardware, but the curtains themselves would best be considered temporary since one of their strongest features is that they can be drawn up or aside when not needed. The curtains themselves can be made of most any shade material. These curtains and roller shades can add a tremendous amount of ambiance, especially if very decorative fabrics are used. All curtains will blow around in the wind, especially those using tighter weave fabrics. This can be minimized by placing small weights in the curtain hems or by securing them to sturdy supports.
Vertical or Horizontal Blinds are similar to outdoor shade curtains. The main difference is that they usually use semi-rigid materials or panels instead of fabrics. Their extra rigidity, weight, and air flow means they will flutter less in the breeze than most curtains would. The most common material used in outdoor blinds is bamboo, but they can be found in a variety of other beautiful natural and synthetic materials.
As you look for your own shade solution, keep in mind that one person's pavilion is another person's gazebo. What I mean is that there is a tremendous amount of overlap and creative license in the descriptions of outdoor shades. Sometimes an actual description of the shade structure can be more helpful than the name of it.
Read about the many options available in shade materials on the next page.
