Combat the Hot Arlington, TX Summers with Patio Covers, Pergolas, Pavilions

Adding shade to your outdoor living space is a great way to combat the hot summers in the Arlington, TX area. If your patio or pool is too warm to enjoy spending time there, patio covers, pergolas, and pavilions offer several options to add cooling spaces and relief from the sun. Extend the time you can entertain, swim, and relax with a luxurious shade feature.

Related: Enhance your Landscape and Curb Appeal

The Importance of Shade in an Outdoor Space

Shade protects you from the sun's harmful UV rays, which can cause sunburn, skin cancer, and other health problems, especially when you regularly spend time around the pool. Considering how much shade you need and where you need it will help you choose the right size and placement for your shading solution that improves the comfort, functionality, and appearance of your outdoor space.

Patio Covers

Arlington residents know that the hot, humid summers can make being outdoors quite uncomfortable, but patio covers provide shade from the sun, which can make a significant difference in the comfort of your outdoor space on hot days. Shade can lower the temperature by up to 20 degrees, making it more comfortable to relax, dine, or entertain outdoors.

They can also protect you from the rain, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space even in wet weather by creating a more inviting and comfortable space by providing a sense of enclosure. Making an outdoor space feel more like an extension of your home enhances the comfortable, relaxing time you spend outdoors.

Pergolas for Outdoor Spaces

Pergolas are available in a variety of materials, styles, and sizes. You can choose a pergola that is made of wood or metal that is freestanding or attached to your home. Pergolas offer partial shade to the space below for increased comfort and use in the heat. They are lovely in any outdoor living space, adding vertical visual interest and weight to the area.

Choose a pergola that complements the style of your home. For example, if you have a traditional home, you may want to choose a wooden pergola while a modern home might be ideal for a wood and metal combination design. Make sure to choose a pergola that is the right size for your patio to ensure that the pergola provides adequate shade and protection for your patio furniture and activities.

Pavilions for Outdoor Spaces

Covering an outdoor space such as a patio or outdoor kitchen provides full shade for complete relief from the sun, creating a more private space on your patio or in your backyard which can be especially beneficial if you live in a close-knit neighborhood or if you have a lot of foot traffic in your area.

A traditional pavilion is typically made of wood or metal and has a simple, rectangular, or octagonal shape with a roof made of shingles, tiles, or metal. The open sides provide access to breezes that make the space more comfortable and adding ceiling fans to the beams above creates more cooling temperatures.

Modern pavilions can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, glass, and concrete, and often have more complex shapes and designs than traditional wood pavilions, echoing the style and architectural features of the house. Their designs contrast nicely with the simplicity of an urban landscape style.

Related: Designing an Outdoor Kitchen: Tips and Tricks for Functionality and Aesthetics