If you are considering a shade for decks, you have plenty of options. Each type of shade has its advantages and its downsides. The same applies to umbrellas, which are often used as an attractive shading option for wooden decks. However, the benefits offered by umbrellas usually outweigh their downsides. Here’s a look at these benefits.
Low-Cost Shade for Decks Options
One of the most attractive features of outdoor umbrellas is that they are incredibly cost-effective. The more inexpensive varieties cost as little as under $50, although you can also buy the more pricey options for well above $500. Where other options like pergolas or awnings can set you back a tidy sum, umbrellas come with a very low price tag. This means that you can afford not only one but multiple umbrellas which you can then set up in different corners of the deck space.
When it comes to costs, umbrellas also incur nearly zero installation costs. You can simply get one and put it on your deck without any paid labor. This is contrast to many other shading options which require a professional interior and exterior renovation company to handle installation.
Ease of Use as a Shade Cover
As a shade for decks, umbrellas are very practical in that you can easily move them around. Most umbrellas come with light-weight stands which are easy to pick up. Depending on your needs at the moment, you can adjust the position of the umbrellas accordingly. Some stands weigh more so that you may find it hard to pick them up on your own.
Versatility For Shade Coverings
Outdoor umbrellas come in a huge and exciting range. You can choose from cantilever umbrellas, market umbrellas, patio umbrellas and other varieties. As a shade for decks, you can mix up the varieties to create a colorful shading solution on your deck. Alternatively, you can consider your shading needs and then choose the right type. Patio umbrellas, for instance, can fit through holes in the table and other structure for support. Cantilever umbrellas offer far more space under the shade as the pole is typically to a side.
Aesthetics of Shade for Decks Umbrellas
A great thing about umbrellas used as shade for decks is that they look fun and exciting. Compared to other conventional shading solutions, umbrellas really stand-out and add a lot of aesthetic value to your deck space. For this reason, they are the perfect shading choice if you want to touch up the look and feel of your deck.
Outdoor umbrellas as shade for decks have their downsides as well. The most notable one is that they do not offer a lot of shade, unless you set up several umbrellas on the deck. They are also not as secure under rain or winds as other shading options. That being said, if you are on a tight budget but want to add shade to your deck in style, they fit the bill perfectly.
If you’re thinking about adding a deck to your property, your planning should take into account ROI variables. Materials, size, access, and the “wow factor” all contribute to a prospective buyer’s perception of the value added by a deck to the property. It’s worth becoming familiar with deck construction in the comparable properties in your area so you can position yours where you want to be value-wise. Another value relationship to consider is that between your deck budget and the overall value of the property. It doesn’t make ROI dollars and sense to build something too grand for the size and likely resale price of the home. One rule of thumb used by contractors and architects is that a deck should be no larger than the home’s biggest interior space.
Keep in mind, too, that adding value to your home gets the attention of the assessor and the underwriter, so your property taxes and insurance premiums are like to be increased. Like anything else built by human beings, a deck will inevitably require some maintenance and/or repair as time goes by. Good choices of materials, with expert design and construction, are the ticket to keeping those costs down and your enjoyment and ROI up.