Outdoor Shades

There are two types of outdoor shades: permanent shades and temporary shades. Permanent shades are often made of metals and have large sizes, including structural canopies, pergolas, gazebos, carports, and sunrooms. In comparison, temporary shades can be removed, such as patio umbrellas, canopy tents, shade cloths, curtains, and screens.

A pavilion, canopy, pergola, or gazebo can be used for porch shade. These structures often feature several panels or a large roof to create a shady area for your porch. To add more shade, you can attach outdoor roller shades to the sides of these structures.

Patio shades are worthy investments. For instance, a louvered pergola features an adjustable roof for users to customize the shaded area. The louvered roof not only can allow gentle sunlight to shine in but also can block strong UV light and rain when the panels are closed.

The roof structure is the key to distinguishing a canopy and a sunshade. Canopies are a seamless covering that can completely block all the outdoor elements like water and light. Sunshades often feature a semi-open roof that allows a portion of light to filter in.

There are several alternatives that can serve a similar role as outdoor umbrellas or even better, such as pergolas, gazebos, sunrooms, and pop-up canopies. For instance, a double-top gazebo and a pop-up canopy tent can provide a larger shaded area while staying steady in windy conditions.

For outdoor shading cloth, polyester with polyvinyl chloride coating (PVC) is the most popular and durable fabric for modern outdoor shades. This material is excellent at blocking sunlight and water while offering effective resistance to wear and tear.

PVC and acrylic fabric are ideal materials to block out rain. They have strong stability and durability against natural elements like moisture, mildew, and UV light.

Normally, neutral colors like white and beige have a better ability to reflect harmful light than dark colors. However, it’s also important to consider the hues of your environment and match an appropriate color to create a harmonious feeling.

Since the outdoor shades can block or filter the strong and harmful lights, you can have a cool area in the shade. Shades with good ventilation design can also help to reduce heat.

Motorized outdoor shades are the most advanced type that combines functionality and convenience. They use an electrical motor to control the louvered roof, offering an effortless open and close procedure for the users. Some motorized structures are even equipped with LED lights, allowing people to enjoy outdoor events at night.