Nowadays, you’ll rarely see any outdoor event that doesn’t have at least a few shading structures featured in and around it. This doesn’t just go for summertime activities, either. Shading has become a crucial part of weather protection throughout the seasons, and businesses are utilizing the more and more. Individuals are getting them for their backyards as well. There’s a reason for all of this, too. There are quite a few benefits that come with using shading structures. Here are a few that might be worth noting.
Sun protection
The most obvious reason you would need shading structures is right there in the name – it provides shade. Warm weather might be enjoyable, but it often comes with the drawback of extremely sunny days. Too much sunlight is just as bad as too little. It’s hard to get anything done with the sun in your eyes, which is why shading is crucial for any important outdoor activities.
To prevent the sun from impacting productivity and focus throughout the day, the shading structure needs to cover a larger area. You might think having overhead shading from something like a sun umbrella is enough, but the angle of the sun is a very important factor to consider. During the day, the sun will move around quite a bit, so you will end up with angles that will circumvent the shading solution during the early morning and late afternoon. Make sure that the shading structure is built so that it provides you with the exact amount of shade you need all day.
Reduced exposure to UV rays
Shade structures don’t just keep sunlight at bay, they also stop the less-noticeable aspects of the sun’s rays at bay. As of recently, people have become more aware of the negative effects of sun exposure and UV rays. These rays are pretty harmful in large doses, and there’s very little you can do to stop them while standing in the sun. Applying sunscreen can only do so much, and you can’t apply it in every single situation.
A structure that provides shade from sunlight will also block UV rays, providing ample protection from their harmful effects. Keep in mind, these rays aren’t only present on warm, sunny days. There’s lots of exposure to UVB and UVC particles even during cloudy weather. A shaded area is recommended for all sorts of weather for this exact reason.
Versatile function
While shading can prevent sunlight and its many harmful elements from impacting your outdoor space, that’s not all it’s good for. It can also provide you with protection from other kinds of disruptive weather patterns.
Generally speaking, most shading solutions can also keep the rain at bay. There’s a limited amount of protection from hail as well. It really depends on the material that the shading is made of. As long as it’s not simply a thin sheet of water-proof material, you can pretty much count on it protecting you from light hail. When it comes to snow and larger pieces of hail, it depends on the material and design of the shade structure. A sloped shape is required so that material doesn’t pile up on the top and cause it to collapse.
While shading doesn’t seem all that important during the autumn and winter seasons, it’s still something worth considering. As you may already know, these seasons can still get really sunny, even with extremely cold temperatures. It’s a rare occurrence, but it happens frequently enough to warrant shading for specific situations.
Aesthetic appeal
Shade constructions don’t just provide practical effects, they also add aesthetic value to any location that they’re placed in. Whether they’re used in a commercial or residential context, they can be designed to fit with any look or aesthetic.
Shade options come in various sizes, shapes, and colours. This provides extreme versatility in terms of design and appeal. Coupled with their inexpensive costs, you are looking at a very attractive addition to any building or outdoor event.
Eco-friendliness
Compared to most other ways of cooling off, shade structures are pretty eco-friendly. In fact, you could consider them the eco-friendliest option available. Their construction doesn’t require the use of any particularly important material, and it can all be made to be recyclable. You can rest easy knowing that any shading you provide your home or business won’t be thrown away, and instead, it will be reusable afterwards.
Compared to other cooling solutions, shade structures use no resources whatsoever. Water aerosol cooling uses electricity for pumps and lots of water, and that’s not even considered the most wasteful option. As it turns out, the simplest solution is also the eco-friendliest one available.
Simple installation and removal
You won’t require constant shading throughout the year. In most cases, you’ll only need a shading structure for a single event or season. This makes the decision to install a shading solution somewhat difficult, as it doesn’t seem worth the trouble. Unfavourable weather conditions can even make having shade structures dangerous. If a storm is coming, you need to be able to remove the structure, and then return it when it passes.
Shading structures aren’t at all difficult to set up. More importantly, they are very easy to remove when they aren’t needed anymore.
This goes for most installations, whether they are for personal or business usage. Even larger surfaces can be covered with structures like shade sails, without needing any extreme modifications or complex installation.
For commercial long-term shading, the structure needs to be made more secure. Businesses often employ the assistance of shading experts like Pioneer Shade to help install and secure their shading structures. Even with expert help, the process does not take very long, and the structure remains relatively easy to remove.
Equipment protection
For various online activities, individuals and businesses alike require electrical equipment. Consider concerts that are held at outside venues. This equipment is delicate and requires protection from the elements, which is something that could be provided with the use of shade structures. It’s a pretty obvious and practical solution, which is why so many organizations choose shading options to protect their equipment and electronics.
A great example of a practical shade application is car dealerships. Staff will often erect these structures to help protect vehicles that are displayed outside of the dealership. This helps keep the cars dry, while also allowing them to remain in a convenient location for customers to look at them. It’s pretty difficult to move lots of vehicles on short notice, so adding shade constructions ends up being the quicker option.
Extra outdoor time
The weather tends to shift dramatically at a moment’s notice. Having a little extra shelter to protect you from any weather changes makes spending time outside a lot easier. Shading structures not only protect you from the sun, but they also help you stay outside a little longer, no matter the weather conditions.
Depending on how you apply and modify it, a shading solution could even let you enjoy the outdoors during harsh weather. Additional covers, blinds, and similar additions can make weathering harsh conditions even easier. It all depends on how you utilize the shading structure.
Conclusion
If you have an outdoor area, chances are that you’ll want to use it to its maximum potential. A shading structure or two could help you extend the amount of time you can spend in this outdoor area, while also making this time a lot more comfortable. Both businesses and individuals can benefit from shading solutions, which is why they’re worth considering for any outdoor activity or event.
Bio: Patrick Adams is a freelance writer and rock-blues fan. When he is not writing about home improvement, he loves to play chess, watch basketball, and play his guitar. More than anything, he loves to spend his time in his garage, repairing appliances and creating stuff from wood.