When you’re enjoying time outdoors on your patio or porch, sometimes things can get just a little too warm. It doesn’t mean you don’t want to spend time outside, but it does mean you probably want some decent shade while you’re enjoying the warm weather. There are several options for types of shade when it comes to your patio or porch.

Different types of shades will have different requirements, so some options may not be the best option for every home. If you don’t have a way to make one type of shade work, you aren’t left out in the sun to sweat without hope. It just means you’ll have to consider a different option. If you’re wondering what’s out there for you, keep reading.

Here are five types of outdoor shades for porches and patios that you may not have considered yet. See what might work for you and get to enjoy a cooler outdoor experience as soon as possible.

1. Patio/Porch Umbrellas

Before you get too involved in choosing a type of shade that may involve attaching something to your home, you might want to consider this option. A large patio umbrella can give you a lot of shade. They’re very affordable, and they’re easy to move if you want shade somewhere else in your yard for a little while.

You can also adjust them with the sun by tilting the umbrella to provide more shade as needed. Patio umbrellas don’t require anything more than a stand or table to hold them in place, and they’re very low maintenance.

It’s a good option if you aren’t sure what permanent options you want to use yet, or just want to add some color and spice to your outdoor area. You can get these types of umbrellas in a lot of various prints or colors, so it’s easy to make them part of your decorating scheme.

2. Awnings

An awning is a type of shade you’ll have to attach to your home, but you still have quite a few options when it comes to what type of awning you install. While some are permanently extended once installed, others can be pulled out when the sun gets too harsh for you.

There are also some options that can be extended electronically. Electric or not the extendable options are both based on a system of wires and poles. If you choose an extendable option you will have to decide where you’re going to install the poles you attach the shade to. You’ll also have to decide if you want electric options or one you pull out yourself as needed.

For an awning to work, you’ll also need to make sure you have pretty stable siding or other exterior home surfaces you can attach the awning. Remember that the awning will be attached to your home in a permanent manner, so you’ll want to make sure they’re installed in the most stable place possible on your home’s exterior.

3. Sun Shades

Sun shades are a great option because they give you an open feel while still making your patio or porch cooler and more comfortable. The thing you’ll need to keep in mind when you think about sun shades is that your area will need to be partially enclosed already.

Sun shades work like indoor blinds, and you’ll need to be able to pull them down from an overhang or open ceiling structure. If your patio or porch is partially enclosed and you want to keep the area feeling open and airy, you probably don’t want to cover it with an awning. Sun shades give you the same effect without making your outdoor living space feel more enclosed.

4. A Pergola

This is a very permanent commitment to your outdoor living space. A pergola is a permanent structure you can build attached to your home, or as its own freestanding structure. You’re going to need to make sure you’re ready to build the pergola or have a professional ready to build it for you.

They can be very simple and easy to build from a basic kit or range to highly unique outdoor spaces that require customized plans. It’s a great way to add some intrigue to your home’s exterior, but you’ll have to be ready for the more extensive planning and building it requires.

Some pergolas can come with canopy covers to make them even shadier than an open ceiling option would be. You can also attach sun shades to your pergola like the ones you read about earlier. A pergola would give you the enclosed space you’d need to make sun shades work.

Used in combination with a canopy or shade, or on its own a pergola will look great and could be a really awesome option for you. Just make sure you’re well prepared for the extra work involved with this option.

5. A Sail Shade

A sail shad is another option to consider if you don’t want to choose something overly permanent. It’s a triangle shaped piece of fabric that you can attach to pretty much anything. If you have a lot of trees around your porch or patio, you can tie the sail shade to those to stretch it out over the area you want to give some shade.

You can also attach it to the side of your home, or even a small structure you build to hold the shade itself. Much different from a pergola, because you won’t have to build a huge structure with this. Just some strategically placed poles will do the job. As with the umbrella option you read about before, you can also use sail shades to tie together an outdoor decorating look.

The fabrics available can be found in many prints or colors. You can even make your own sail shade by cutting fabric that’s outdoor use friendly yourself. If you choose this option, your sail shade will be even more customized to your living spaces.

The sail shade requires pretty minimal maintenance, but much like the umbrella, you’ll want to make sure it’s down before winter hits. It won’t hold up well to heavy snow falling on top of it.

Conclusion:

As you can see, there are several options available to you when it comes to shade for your patio or porch. You have everything from an easy to move and easy to take down umbrella to a permanent brand new structure built just for your shade needs.

No matter which option you choose, there are benefits and drawbacks to keep in mind. When you find the right option for you, make sure you take the time to enjoy it while the warm weather is still here. Shades will make your porch or patio look and feel great. Enjoy!