The heat can quickly become unbearable in summer on a south-facing terrace. There are several solutions to protect yourself from the sun and the heat, for all budgets and for all tastes! Here are our installation tips.
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Have a terrace in your garden or on your balcony is very pleasant in the summer. Except that in full sun, it can quickly get very hot. Here are some ideas for shading your patio for all tastes and budgets.
The umbrella
The parasol is the simplest and fastest solution to install to provide shade on his terrace or his garden Lounge. It requires no layout and opens in seconds. There are mainly three types of parasols:
- The straight parasol, equipped with a non-tilting mast and which slides into a central support. They come in all sizes and formats, up to 4 meters in diameter.
- The offset parasol: it is equipped with an articulated and rotating arm which allows it to be oriented according to one’s needs. It is therefore not necessary to move the mast when the sun turns. Larger ones usually include a crank opening.
- The balcony parasol: it has a fixing system specially adapted to balconies (clamps, extendable pole, etc.).
Take care of the quality: those that are too light or too large risk being knocked over at the slightest blow of the wind. The larger the wingspan, the heavier the foot will have to be to ensure good stability.
The shade sail
The shade sail extends horizontally above the terrace. It not only provides shade but also an aesthetic touch. There are many shapes and materials and different attachment systems. The triangular veil is suitable for a small terrace or a balcony, while for a larger surface, a rectangular veil is preferable. Note that it is possible to combine several sails of different sizes and shapes to increase the surface to be shaded.
The sail has a significant wind resistance, especially when its surface is large: it is therefore essential to fix it well. For an easily removable veil, opt for carabiner attachments. The first prices for a kit start at 29 euros, but the larger models installed by a professional are much more expensive.
The awning
the awning is an awning without floor space, which unfolds from a wall. It protects your terrace from the sun’s rays, but also acts as a heat shield and can serve as a shelter in the event of rain. It also makes it possible to enlarge the living space by creating an extension of the house.
The structure is fixed to the wall in a chest or semi-chest, and unrolls with a crank or a motorized system. There are all kinds of fabrics with a wide choice of colors and materials. The polyester fabric is the least expensive but it is more sensitive to UV. The acrylic canvas is more filtering and avoidsgreenhouse effect. For effective protection, the surface of the awning must be larger than that of your terrace, because the rays most of the time arrive from the side. Count about 3.5 meters of advance for 2.3 meters of shadow.
The pergola
The pergola is a structure with a rigid cover (adjustable slats, canvas, drink…). The wooden ones or in iron forged can be used as a support for climbers (Virginia creeper, wisteriajasmine, hop…) thus creating a refreshing shade and giving a rustic character to the terrace. There are two types of pergolas:
- The attached pergola: fixed directly to the wall of the house, it has only two posts and is ideal for terraces.
- The self-supporting pergola: independent of the house, it is placed on four posts planted in the ground.
The bioclimatic pergolawhich has retractable blades, makes it possible to filter more or less the light depending on the sunshine. This is the most suitable solution for a climate changing. Please note: a green pergola is not rainproof and requires some maintenance. Flowering plants can also bring insects (watch out for wasps!). Count between 300 and 400 euros for a self-supporting pergola in kit form, and up to 5,000 euros for a custom backed pergola.
The camouflage net
Originally intended to hide equipment or objects, this open military canvas is increasingly used as a means of attenuating the sun’s rays without completely blocking the light. Consisting of a mesh in plastic anti-UV treated, in fabric or straw, it can be hung above the terrace or a pergola with posts. Very light, it is easy to handle and installs very easily. Sold in rolls, there are different sizes and different colors. Count between 6 and 12 euros per meter.
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