Spending time outdoors in the warm summer weather can be quite an amazing experience, but with the sun comes the need for a shade option. What do landscaping companies tend to recommend for shade in the Waunakee and Middleton, WI, area? These suggestions can give you a lovely, comfortable outdoor space.
Related: PERGOLAS: PLANNING, DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING
Why You Need Shade
Having shade in your backyard can be an essential part of enjoying your time outdoors. While you might love your outdoor living space at lunchtime, by the mid-afternoon, it can be too hot to stay. Shade structures can allow you to remain outside longer on the warmest days because they make an outdoor area more comfortable.
You also want any shade structures to be attractive since they are part of the landscape design. Mixing materials can draw the eye to your shady spot and entice you to spend time there.
Shade Structure Ideas
Certain shade structures can give your landscape design a vertical feature that breaks up the landscape and adds interest. The materials you choose can also influence how your shady spot looks and functions.
Pergola: Incorporating a shade structure into your patio design can offer respite from the hot sun. Many homeowners like to have a pergola as part of the patio to offer a vertical feature and a shaded spot.
A pergola can be designed and built of sturdy wood posts and beams or a more modern material like steel. You might also choose to have copper corbels or some other metal such as corrugated tin for the top.
Your posts can sit on square bases composed of wall stone that coordinates with your patio flooring choice. You could also choose to have your posts attached to the patio floor. Either way, you can have dappled shade beneath the pergola to offer a delightful break from the sun.
Pavilion: Some homeowners like the idea of a pergola for the movement of dappled shade throughout the summer day while others prefer the optimal convenience of a pavilion. A gabled roof would give you protection when it’s time to enjoy a cool glass of water away from the sun and a good book in the afternoon without any glare.
The pavilion could feature exposed beams in addition to ceiling fans and charming light fixtures. Comfy outdoor furniture could complete the look, giving you a place to snack in the afternoon or whatever else that strikes your fancy, rain or shine.
The outdoor dining space: While a shade structure can make your outdoor dining space much more pleasant in the midday heat, another clear benefit of adding a covering can be that your dinner plans won’t get ruined if the weather turns bad.
Remember that not all meals happen in the evening. Having a shady spot there can increase the comfort of an outdoor brunch or lunch. This can be especially true when you are hosting a baby shower or birthday party.
A well-planned shade structure can increase the comfort of your outdoor spaces while adding beauty to your overall landscape design. When the summer sun is beating down, you will be glad for some shade.
