One of the most essential components of a successful outdoor living space is having shelter from the elements. Creating shade for your detached patio will make your entire outdoor living space more comfortable and appealing to your friends and family. This summer, make sure to consider these three shade options to add to your landscaping for a detached patio in the Trenton, MI area.
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A Pergola
A pergola is a type of shade structure that is situated directly on top of a masonry surface. It is a fairly rudimentary yet timeless and elegant structure supported by at least four posts. It features a semi-open roof with a series of horizontal beams spaced evenly spaced. This timeless design has been used in sunny climates everywhere to effectively scatter sunlight throughout the day, while also allowing hot air to escape. This makes the space inside the pergola substantially cooler.
A pergola can be any size. This offers you the opportunity to cover a smaller portion of your patio or even the entire patio, if you prefer to not get too much sun exposure. A pergola can provide shade for distinct uses, such as a lounge or a dining area. Or, you can choose a larger style to shelter your entire patio - including your outdoor kitchen, seating and dining areas. With a pergola you enjoy the comfort of a shaded space without dampening the outdoor feel.
A Pavilion
Like a pergola, a pavilion is built directly on top of a masonry surface. Unlike a pergola however, a pavilion is built with an entirely closed roof. Pavilions often become the hub of outdoor living because they are usable on rainy days as well as hot sunny days. As with a pergola, you can fit practically all components of outdoor living within a pavilion. It’s also more convenient to add sound systems and ceiling fans. Pavilions are often seen as true extensions of the home - much like a covered porch - creating another comfortable room in the outdoor space.
The pavilion allows for a much greater range of outdoor activities to take place underneath the roof, but it’s actually much better focused on bringing some indoor activities to the outdoors. While you could cover an entire patio with a pergola, you may want to contain a pavilion to a smaller section so that you can enjoy sunny days under an open sky as well.
A Gazebo
Gazebos are perhaps the most romantic shade structure. Typically hexagonal, they can also be square or round. A gazebo is similar yet different from the other two shade structures in that it is built with its own wooden floor, which means it can be located anywhere in the landscape. Since it includes a floor, a gazebo offers a slightly higher vantage point. You can also integrate creature comforts into the flooring such as radiant heat as well as infrastructure for lighting, natural gas, or even an outdoor sound system. Though gazebos have open walls, they often feature half-walls that can almost feel like another room in a home.
The gazebo, much like a pavilion, should not encompass the entire breadth of a patio. Instead, it should be a cozy place where you can relax, dine, or entertain your guests. Gazebos don’t need to be tiny, though they are ideal as a space for intimate backyard gatherings.
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