NOW IS THE TIME TO PLAN FOR COOLING DOWN YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING AREA FOR NEXT YEAR!
Although summer is in our rear-view mirror it is a great time to start thinking about next summer and preparing for the heat by making improvements to your outdoor living areas. Patio shades can create more useable square footage by turning your existing, sun-drenched patio into a cooler, more inviting space for you and your family. On average, patio shades can reduce the temperature on your patio during the direct sun by 10 degrees or more. Plus, the right patio shade can help protect against bugs and even the stray golf ball. Here are some considerations to think about when planning for your patio shade project:
OPACITY
There are multiple levels of opacity and the one you choose determines the percentage of UV rays allowed to pass through the screening. The percent of UV blockage also determines the amount of view-through that is remaining. The most common opacity with that we install is a 3 percent screen material, which blocks about 97 percent of UV rays. On bright days, you’ll be able to still have a clear view through the screen, while seriously reducing the sun glare and heat. The damaging effects of UV rays on your outdoor furniture and soft treatments will be dramatically reduced as well. When you’re considering the view you want opacity and color both come into play, as a 3 percent dark material will have a clearer view-through than a 3 percent light material.
COLOR
While selecting a color keep this in mind: As with clothing, darker colors absorb the heat while lighter colors reflect it. With screen shades however, darker colors have a crisper view-through, while lighter colors have a more obscure view, even at the same opacity. This is due to the sun light reflecting off the material. Your color decision will be based on the view and your desire to see it clearly, which direction the patio or room faces and your privacy needs.
CONTROL OPTIONS
If you have a small space that isn’t prone to high gusts of wind, there are several manual control options available to you. These include a continuous cord loop using a stainless steel chain or a hand crank that hooks onto a loop at the top of the screen enclosure box. If your space is large and/or more susceptible to high winds, there are options that can be secured on the sides with either guide cables or side-tracks that hold the screening in place. Keep in mind these screens are not hurricane proof so it’s best to raise them up when inclement weather threatens. The shades that are motorized either plug into an exterior outlet or are hard-wired by a licensed electrician and controlled by a remote control device.
When deciding which patio shade will be the right choice for your space, several factors need to be considered: How large is the space you want to cover? How much wind is that space exposed to? How will you be using your space? Are you near a golf course or fairway and occasionally catch a flying golf ball on your patio? All of these topics come up during the initial consultation to determine the best patio shade for your particular space. And, once you made your choices and installed your exterior screen shades you’ll find they are a great investment in your outdoor living areas that will allow you to use your patio all year long!
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION FOR EXTERIOR SCREEN SHADES PLEASE
CONTACT US at www.mitstallahassee.com OR CALL 850-945-8348.
