Landscape Designer's Tips for Choosing the Proper Shade Structure for Your Reno, NV, Backyard

Homeowners in Reno, NV, are known for loving to relax and entertain outdoors. It’s why you live here. With over 250 days of sunshine in Reno, incorporating at least one shade source is a necessity. Here are seven landscape designer’s tips for choosing the proper shade structure for your backyard.

Shade Sails

Shade sails encourage you to enjoy the fresh outdoor air without suffering through overbearing and damaging sunshine. Made with a permeable thick mesh material that allows airflow and blocks 85% of UV rays, shade sails complement any architectural style with a cool modern flair. They can be attached to existing structures or to free-standing poles. Affordable and durable, shade sails are available in various shapes and sizes that allow for flexibility. Install a single large shade sail, or overlap multiple smaller shade sails to protect a larger space.

Pergola

When people think “pergola,” they usually think of a square or rectangular structure made with four beams, open sides, and a flat roof with crossbeams and a lattice top. But pergolas are the chameleons of the backyard landscape. Go ultra-modern by slanting the roof and using a minimalist design that eliminates decorative ends. You could also create luxurious ambience by opting for outdoor curtains or custom canopies. Or introduce a fun South Pacific feel by using bamboo across the top of your new pergola.

Tea House

Gazebos are quaint and romantic but not always a fit for more modern architectural styles. To give the gazebo idea a contemporary feel, consider a Japanese tea house. A tea house is square or rectangular instead of octagonal. It is a permanent shade structure with four sturdy beams supporting a solid roof; three-quarter height walls constructed of bamboo poles let in the fresh air while keeping the interior shady and offering protection from late-afternoon sun. Alternatively, use shoji-type screens to provide an amazingly bright yet pleasing interior to your tea house.

Trees

The original shade structures, trees are completely unique and can lower a home’s or outdoor space’s temperature by 20 degrees by blocking the sun and allowing air flow. Their appeal changes with the seasons, providing dappled light in the hot summer months and opening up the yard to sunshine in winter.

Retractable Shades  

To regulate the shade in your outdoor living spaces, consider retractable shades. Rectangular outdoor fabric strung between two wire cables is adjusted via a pulley system to block the sun or reveal the sky. Shade fabrics are durable, UV-resistant, and available in many colors, sizes, and styles to match any decor.

Patio Roof

For permanent shade and rain protection for areas immediately adjacent to your home, consider a patio roof. The patio floor will remain pleasantly cool, and the patio structure allows for fresh breezes and expansive views.

Pavilion

A pavilion is like a pergola, except with a solid roof to provide complete protection from overhead sun or rain. Add curtains, roller shades, or trellises to add shade in the late afternoon sun.

Which Solution Is Right for You?

For best results, work with our landscape designers to determine the best shade option for your backyard. Our design team will analyze the sun and wind pattern in your backyard, and make their best recommendation for uniting style and function to suit your individual tastes and shade requirements.