An outdoor deck is a perfect spot to enjoy some quality time. However, if your deck has no covering or shade, it may not be the best of places in hot summer or rainy winter months. This can be remedied by using a shade for decks.
Deck shades come in different shapes, sizes and types. You can add a shade on your own or hire a deck contractor to do the job for you. If you want your deck to truly stand out, here are some creative shade ideas for you.
Use Shade Sails
Shade sails are a very fun, versatile and stylish option when it comes to shade for decks. You can achieve a three-dimensional shade structure by using the stretch of the fabric. Shade sails come in a variety of shapes and colors. They are a very affordable solution and are very effective in providing shade at an outdoor area. The knitted fabric used in creating the sails is breathable, resistant to UV degradation and fairly easy to install. When done right, shade sails can also withstand rain which makes them as a perfect all-year shading solution.
Go With a Tropical Cabana
A portable, breezy and temporary cabana is another excellent option as a shade for decks. It is particularly great if you have a pool by your deck but you can also creatively install it on a deck-only landscape. A cabana is a quick and affordable shading option for your deck. It particularly makes sense if you want a deck shade on a short notice, such as when you suddenly need to plan a deck party in the hot summers.
Set up an Umbrella
Umbrellas are another trendy way of achieving shade for decks. Many deck umbrellas come with furniture sets so that you can essentially set up an entire shaded spot on your deck. You can also use multiple umbrellas as a décor element on your deck. When it comes to umbrellas for decks, you have a lot of options to choose from in terms of color, size, height, material and style. A more stand-out variety is a tiki umbrella which adds a hint of the tropics to your deck space.
Customize Your Deck Shading
You have plenty of options when choosing a traditional shade for decks. But creative shade options like those mentioned above will spruce up the décor and make your deck that much more fun. To make the shade even better, customize the colors and styles to your aesthetic preferences.
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.