A deck should be a place for you to sit and relax on a sunny day. But that’s difficult to do when the sun is shining in your eyes. Plus, it will make the deck hot, giving you sunburn.
The good news is that this doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of simple ways that you can add some shade to your deck. Keep reading to learn more about some of the options that you might want to explore.
Shingled Patio Covers
One of the longest-lasting patio covers is a shingled roof. This is essentially adding an extension of your roof, to cover the deck. This will allow you to effectively block the sun. It will also offer protection from the rain. When you do this, you will often be unable to tell the difference between the shingled patio cover and the original roof.
Underneath the patio, you will be able to enjoy natural wood. This is a stunning aesthetic. You can opt to stain it, protecting it from the elements. Or you might want to paint it, so the color complements the deck. Because of these benefits, a shingled patio cover will be able to last for a long time. As a result, they can often add a lot of value to your home.
Wooden Pergolas
If you like the look of natural wood, you might want to consider installing a cedar pergola. The wood can be stained to suit the surroundings. The pergola will extend from your existing roof out over the deck. The top of the pergola will have a series of rafters going perpendicular out from the house and a series of beams on top running parallel to the house, covering the deck. This is easy to maintain.
One of the benefits of this type of cover is that you can accessorize it to get even more shade or even a certain amount of waterproofing. For example, you can add corrugated plastic to the top to keep the rain off the deck and you can add screens and plants to the sides for added shade.
Aluminum Pergolas
If you don’t want to deal with the upkeep of a wooden pergola, you might prefer the aluminum variety. These have the advantage of coming in a range of colors. This will let you match it to the existing home. The Alumawood pergolas that we offer have a woodgrain pattern stamped into them to make them feel like wood. Plus, they are very durable, lasting for many years.
Similar to a wooden pergola, you will be able to accessorize the top and sides of an Alumawood pergola. This will offer protection against the elements, so you can still use your deck when it is raining or snowing.
Umbrellas
One of the easiest ways to add a little more shade is by adding an umbrella. There are a few options that you might want to consider, these include:
- Table umbrella. These are designed to sit in a hollow slot in the middle of a table. They often aren’t very big and will cover a single table or chair.
- Tilting umbrella. As the name suggests, these can be set at an angle. This will offer more flexibility, letting you block out the sun. But they are very expensive.
- Weighted umbrella. This option will be held in place by a stand at the base of the umbrella. Often, the stand will be filled with water or sand, holding it in place.
An umbrella has a few advantages. For example, they tend to be easy to install. You can get them set up in a few minutes. But there are also some downsides to consider. In a strong wind, they will fall over. Or worse, they can be blown away. This type of shade becomes extremely needy as you have to get it out and put it away every time you use it.
Planting Trees
Trees can be a great way of providing some natural shade. If you want to take this route, consider the size of their leaves. The bigger the leaves, the more protection they will provide. This is why many people like palm trees.
But there are a few obvious downsides. First, it will take years and years for a tree to grow tall enough to provide enough shade. Additionally, if you put it too close you will need to spend a lot of time cleaning the fallen leaves off the deck.
Louvered Patio Covers
If you are looking for a system that lets you control how much sunlight you let in and can keep the deck dry, consider a louvered cover. On a sunny day, you can open the louvers. This will let the natural light pour into the deck. But if it starts to rain you can close the louvers. This will stop you from getting wet. Better yet, you’ll be able to adjust the angle of the louver, so you can get the right mix of light and shade. If you opt to get the TNT Home Improvement team to install a louvered pergola, you will be able to do this with a handheld remote.
These are built to last. Almost every piece of the cover is made out of thick gauge aluminum. They come in multiple colors to choose from, so you can pick one that matches the design aesthetic of your deck/house.
Patio Canopy
There are a lot of canopy options that you might want to explore. This is a good way of getting some shade quickly. You will also be able to take it down and move it when necessary. But, if you’re looking for a long-term option, this might not be the best choice as it won’t handle extreme weather conditions more than once.
Hanging Patio Curtains
Sometimes you will already have a cover on your deck and will be looking for some ways to get a little extra shade. In this case, you might want to think about putting in curtains. These will hang around the outside of the patio. These will give you a lot of flexibility. You’ll be able to choose elements like:
- How thick they are, determining how much light they will block
- Color
- Length
A popular alternative to this is blinds. These also offer a lot of creative freedom, with dozens of styles to choose from. Plus, you will be able to control them with the touch of a button.
Growing Vines
You might be able to get a climbing vine. This will have a similar effect to installing a patio curtain. However, the vines will add a more natural feel. Depending on the variety you choose, you might even be able to get one that will flower, adding color and perfuming the air. However, like planting a tree, you’ll need to get a temporary solution in the meantime as it can take a long time for a vine to grow.
Shade Sail
You might want to install a shade sail. This is a porous canvas cloth, which is available in a range of colors. This will let you get one that will match the style of the space. They are also a good option to provide shade over a large area. You should be able to install them yourself, though you’ll need to get one that will match the dimensions of your deck.
Awning
If you are looking for a simple solution, you might want to think about installing an awning. They are easy to install because you won’t need to use poles. There are a few options for you to choose from. You might want to have an awning that is always in place. Or you can get a retractable option, that you will need to manually open and close.
Solid Patio Cover
Finally, you might want to get a solid patio cover. This can be connected to an existing roof or form a standalone structure. It’s solid and will be able to last for a long time. There are a few reasons why you might want to get this type of cover:
- It comes in a range of colors, so you’ll be able to pick something to suit your style.
- You can install features, like lights and ceiling fans
- It can be made to custom-fit your deck area
Final Thoughts
Covering your deck is a good way to stop the sun from getting in your eyes and beating the summer heat. Plus, it will block the wind and rain, so you can enjoy the deck in all weather conditions. Thankfully, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. You can get a long-term solution by installing a shingled patio roof, louvered patio cover, pergola, or a solid patio cover. Or you can get something more temporary. Hopefully, you are more aware of your options so you can find the right one for you.
If you’re living in the Northern Colorado area, give us a call today at 970-663-2868 so we can talk about your deck cover project.
