Hi all. My wife and I bought our first house back in June. for one of my next projects on the house I'd like to get us some more shade for the back patio. It's got a roof that is cantilevered off the back of the house and supported by 3 beams, similar to this one. I'd like to put something across the front of it to block some sun. Our house faces northeast, so we get a lot of hot afternoon sun baking the patio and back of the house. I was thinking of just doing some wood slats, but thought I'd get some recommendations from you guys on how to configure them, or just see if anyone else has ideas. Thanks!
Need ideas for patio shade...
- Thread starter dseybert
- Start date
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
I'd suggest a couple of those roll up shades. THere are MANY kinds from bamboo to various plastics - some of which are QUITE pricey if you go to a place that sells premium patio furntiure. BUt hey MIGHT be worth the extra cost if they're UV resistant so they'd last a few summers.
camarotoolman
Banned
No help now, but plant some trees. After 20 years my house is shaded most of the day, it helps the cooling bill here in FL. also have my work area in front of the garage mostly shaded by trees I planted. I'm a real shade tree mech.
Warrenator
Well-known member
Google "Shade Sail." They have triangular or rectangular ones that are pretty dramatic looking, can do at an angle, just need strong posts as they are tensioned with steel cable around the perimeter. Not so expensive, either. You can get fancy with the posts, do them at odd angles sticking out ot the ground, looks very modern and fun.
smedly
Well-known member
How far down would it need to go to be effective?
Ocho
Well-known member
+1 on the shade sails. We have a couple of those on our house and we are constantly getting complimented on how nice they look and how creative we are to have used them.
We bought the house with them already here.
One downside to them: Ours are triangular and were installed with a big spring on one corner to keep tension but allow for some flex. On windy days the springs squeak. On a real windy night is sounds like you have newlyweds in the next room, if you know what I mean.
We bought the house with them already here.
One downside to them: Ours are triangular and were installed with a big spring on one corner to keep tension but allow for some flex. On windy days the springs squeak. On a real windy night is sounds like you have newlyweds in the next room, if you know what I mean.
LOL! Thanks all for the recommendations. I looked at the shade sails and we're considering those.
I think whatever it is they'd only have to go about halfway down to be effective.
Trees aren't much of an option for me. I live in So Cal and only have about 3 feet between the end of my patio and the fence lining the back of my yard.
Thanks for all the suggestions... Keep them coming!
Cardboard Man
Well-known member
You might have a look at some greenhouse supply places. They sell shade cloth that is available in many sizes/lengths and in varying degrees (percentage) of shading. Most that you'll find is black, similar to a woven netting material, but there are also some in a neutral tan, and some other colors. Price depends on how much you need and how fancy you want to get, but that's true with anything. Just a suggestion.