• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

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Patio Curtains, Umbrellas, and Awnings – 3 Tools to Add Shade to Your Patio Spaces

There’s no better feeling than relaxing in a cozy chair in your backyard, hanging out with friends and family. This “patio dream” became much stronger during the pandemic. For several months, people weren’t allowed to walk to the park, cook outdoors, or gather with friends in outdoor spots. Now, it’s clear that we all need outdoor living spaces.

That’s why so many homeowners are planning to make the most of every centimeter of their precious outdoor patio spaces. In a recent survey involving professionals in the home construction industry –

  • 85% of the surveyed professionals said that homeowners are investing in outdoor living spaces. Before the COVID19 pandemic, these figures weren’t so high.
  • 63% of the construction experts said that outdoor living spaces would be a big trend in the post-pandemic world.
  • 48% of the professionals said that patios are the most popular type of outdoor space among homeowners.

These dreams and plans to create private patio spaces are all good. But, the sun can turn these dreams into scorching nightmares and compel homeowners to retreat indoors. Patio spaces without any protection from the harsh sun rays are almost impossible to use. That’s why finding a shade solution before you create a patio space is very important.

What’s the best patio shade solution? There are three common solutions – patio umbrellas, patio awnings, and outdoor curtains. These shade products vary in efficiency and cost. Let’s explore each to discover which one’s best-suited to protect your patio from the sun and other weather-related challenges –

Outdoor Curtains

Patio curtains are first on the list because they protect patio spaces from all outdoor elements – not just the sun. By installing these curtains, you can get a real sense of privacy. These curtains can be six to nine feet long. They’re typically made of sun and water-resistant materials like vinyl fabric. Such fabrics can easily withstand temperatures ranging from 14-122°F.

These curtains allow homeowners to enjoy their outdoor spaces throughout the year as they provide sun and rain resistance. The protective curtains can also block out debris from the wind, bugs, allergens, and other contaminants from entering your patio. Overall, they have a positive health impact on the users.

These curtains are cost-efficient because they protect patio furniture, pillows, and cushions from sunlight and water damage. They’re also super-durable and can last for decades. Nowadays, homeowners can even custom-design their curtains and install them to make their patio spaces more aesthetic.

Patio Umbrellas

Patio umbrellas are simple tools. They slip into the holes on outdoor tables. You basically need outdoor tables to serve as the weighted bases of your patio umbrellas. These umbrellas offer limited coverage and don’t protect the patio as well as outdoor curtains, especially in windy areas.

Retractable Awnings

Want only partial protection from the sunlight? Then installing retractable awnings with motorized arms can be helpful. However, these items are more expensive than patio umbrellas or curtains.

Overall, curtains provide the best long-term shade solution for your patios. Unlike the other two tools on the list, outdoor curtains work throughout the year. They keep patios cool in the summers and warm in the winters.

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