The times you spend with your family in your backyard will lead to lifelong memories. A shaded paver patio can provide the stage for your outdoor lifestyle and encourage everyone to spend more time outdoors. You can bring the home-like feel outside by including a shaded paver patio in your Trenton, MI landscape design.
Related: 5 FAMILY-FRIENDLY IDEAS FOR A PAVER PATIO THAT WILL BE USED OFTEN IN GROSSE ILE AND FLAT ROCK, MI
Good Ways to Provide Shade
Sometimes the summer sun can be a bit much. Patio umbrellas may be simple solutions but they’re rarely the best because they are cumbersome to reposition; they will eventually break down in UV light; and they can blow over in strong winds. Here are some of the best permanent options for providing shade on your patio:
Mature Trees: The most natural way to take advantage of shade is to place your paver patio in the shade of beautiful mature trees. In the heat of the summer, these trees will have their leaves fully extended to catch as much sunlight as possible. The amazing colors, shimmering light, the sound of leaves in the breeze and the songs of birds are extra bonuses. Even one shade tree planted on the south or west side of the patio will offer a significant reprieve from the heat of the afternoon sun. Deciduous (leafy) trees will offer great shade in the summer, but will make the patio feel brighter in winter when every bit of sun is welcome. Evergreen trees offer more shade than deciduous trees since they are denser; but, they will also shade the patio in winter.
Retractable Awnings: If your patio is immediately adjacent to the home, you could install retractable awnings as a way to create shade and shelter from the rain. Retractable awnings come in many styles and sizes. They allow you to get exactly the level of shade you want, on a whim. They aren’t as long-lasting as wooden, vinyl, or metal structures, but are still longer-lived than patio umbrellas.
Pergola: A great way to keep everyone feeling comfortable is to add a pergola. This simple yet elegant structure has a series of horizontal beams that create an open ceiling that will disperse sunlight while allowing hot air to rise and escape. You can add climbing vines for a Mediterranean look. A pergola can be any size. Shelter a seating area; a dining space; an outdoor kitchen; or even all three under this classic shade structure.
Pavilion: The most home-like of any shade structure, the pavilion provides a solid roof that will protect from harsh sunlight and precipitation. Like a pergola, a pavilion can house practically any aspect of your outdoor living and will quickly become a second living room in the summer.
Gazebo: A romantic classic, a gazebo follows the open-walled concept of pergolas and pavilions, but with a twist: gazebos often include half-walls for a sense of enclosure, as well as integrated floors that allow you to place the gazebo anywhere you like in your landscape.
Under the Shade: Choose Lighter-Colored Pavers
With shade comes less light that makes it to the patio. Choose lighter-colored pavers such as tans, light browns, and light grays to brighten the space under the shade structure.
Creature Comforts: an Outdoor Fireplace
If you want to add a fire feature to your shade structure, an outdoor fireplace is the best option for helping your paver patio feel like a part of the home. An outdoor fireplace will extend your enjoyment of the space far beyond the summer making it a great investment in outdoor living.
Related: 5 TIPS FOR CREATING A LANDSCAPING PLAN THAT WORKS FOR YOU IN WOODHAVEN AND TRENTON, MI
