Patio Shades and the Modern Patio

Patios And Patio Shades Are Diverse

There is no one-size-fits-all patio shade for the reason that patios come in different shapes, sizes, materials, and configurations. FIrst off, we should try to distinguish between what makes a patio different from a backyard (and in fact whether a backyard should be classified as a patio).

The patio is typically defined as a paved, open and exterior space near a home, usually set in the rear. Most people will see that the keyword is "paved". Without some sort of paving, any grassy, open space would become a patio. The paving material can vary wildly from home to home. In some, concrete with a splash of accenting color serves as a durable exterior surface. In others, it may be cut and fitted stones. A real high-end home may have marble paving and other marble structures that comprise the patio.

Configurations

The standard configuration may just be a rectangular paved area but other layouts are possible, the inner courtyard being one of them. The inner courtyard is surrounded on two or more sides by a building and confers a greater sense of privacy as there are fewer walls for neighbors or outsiders to peer over into the space. The more common and standard configuration is the rectangular paved area already mentioned, usually situated between the house and a garden or grassy area.

Two Types Of Patio Shading

There are two kinds of shading: structural and attachable. By structural, we mean that it is part of the building. Spanish style residences have columns that support a solid roof over the patio areas which cannot be removed. Structural shades demand a lot of architectural planning and are often built at the same time as the house. Patio roofs are a good example of structural shades. The other kind is the attachable outdoor patio shades. These may take several forms but a few such as the canopy are extremely common, and patio curtains which are extremely easy to install. Even at a nonspecialty store like Sears you will find low-cost plastic resin canopies that look pretty good.

Pergolas As Patio Shades

Pergolas come closest to being a permanent, fixed shade like the structural shades mentioned above. They consist of wooden or stone columns sunk into the ground supporting a number of slats overhead. Pergolas provide incomplete shading so that some sunlight comes through which may be good depending on the regional climate. Additional fabric may be stretched over the top or sides to increase the shade. Pergolas give off an airy, relaxed vibe.

Awnings As Patio Shades

Awnings can serve as patio shades provided there is a large window near the area over which the awning can be installed. Of course, the homeowner may elect to install one anyway without the accompanying window, which in the experience of this site looks a bit strange. The awning near a window actually serves a dual purpose both to shade the exterior grounds but also to reduce incoming light through the window. There are so many kinds of awnings it would be better to refer to another page on this site.

Installation Of Awnings

The following video from Lowes (the mega home improvement store) shows you the effort involved in installing a retractable awning that's affixed to the roof with metal brackets. The video warns viewers that they might need some help from friends. After watching it, you'll agree that to get something of this size squared into the frame is going to require some care, precision, precaution and extra hands.

In our opinion, the canopy is less desirable than pergolas and awnings as patio shades because they have the feeling of impermanence and fragility. Canopies are freestanding tent-like structures that rest directly on the surface unlike the pergola that has sunken columns or the awning that is affixed to the wall. A canopy also needs to be taken down or erected depending on the weather. Strong weather storms can damage them if they are left outside. In contrast, pergolas are much more solid and awnings can usually be retracted to protect them from damage.

There are two ways to get permanent built-in shading for your home. One is to buy a house with the built-in shade, but this is not a real option for most people. The other is to hire out a contractor or draw up the plans yourself for installing a permanent structure. How this goes depends on the complexity of your project, your skills, and how easy it is to interface the existing house with new shades. You may find it easier to obtains plans for building a porch which usually will include instructions on how to erect a roof supported by columns.