Choosing patio sun shades
With the environment appearing to be unpredictable these days, with the amount of sun appearing to on the increase, it is now the time to think about using your outdoor space to its full effect. Many people have a patio and use it on occasions when they drag out some chairs from indoors. However, this space can be used an extra room if you take the time and effort to set it up properly.
In addition to the basic garden furniture (which needs to be able to withstand a certain amount of sun, rain and wind) another essential part of your outdoor room are patio sun shades. These are simply a cover that protects from sun enabling you and your family to use the outdoor space in the heat of the midday sun without being exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays.
The purchase of patio sun shades may initially seem to be a straightforward one, but once you start investigating and realize that there are a multitude of styles and features to suit each price range, and then it can feel like a complex maze. When choosing patio sun shades, it is a good idea to consider the following:
Size
It is important to take your time to measure your available space. The shade needs to cover your basic patio area as well as a little room all around. Don’t forget to also take into consideration the height that you wish your shade to be since you do not want it to block any windows upstairs.
Material
Like anything that is made for outdoor use, your patio awning needs to be very durable against the weather and sun. If you are inspecting the material in the store, ensure that you check the stitching since with the everyday movement of the shade the stitching needs to be strong to avoid tearing or holes in the seams.
Style
The simplest style consists of a square or rectangle of cloth, which covers the patio area. Although this standard version is satisfactory, you can add much more style through having a specific design, such as a sail etc. However, the additional style means additional cost.
Additional features
Basic patio sun shades are manual i.e. you have a pole or rope that you need to pull in order that the shade comes out. When there is limited sun, then the shade is simply folded away. However, messing around with poles and ropes for many is tiresome and a good alternative is a retractable version. These typically come with a remote control so that upon a press of a button you are able to move your shade in or out. A much more sophisticated version of this is retractable types, which have a built in sun or wind sensor. These are able to decide automatically whether there is sufficient sun to be extracted. In this way, the piece will move automatically to cover you when there is sun and retract when there is shade. The additional advantage of this system is that the sun senor even works when you are not there, so your furniture etc is constantly protected.
Extras
In order to make your outdoor space as useful as possible, there are a number of extras that you can purchase to enhance your space. These include a series of outdoor lighting, both mains and free standing, as well as outdoor heating systems.
Overall, your patio space can be much more than a patio, but more like a whole new room resulting in a new outdoors lifestyle. Take your time to wind your way through the complexities of furnishing your patio and putting up your sun shades and soon you could be enjoying a totally new lifestyle.