Sun shades are not only meant to protect our homes from the sun, they also protect the exteriors from harsh rains and snow. It also serves as a decorative piece, giving your lawn a touch of class.
Like awnings, it is installed along an overhanging roof, above the window, or the entire exterior. There are different kinds of sun shades. Flat Shade is a structure that is connected right at the wall, providing a flat and roof-like structure protruding from the exterior. Any sun shade that slopes from the exterior is called a slope shade. Slope shades are mostly made from fabric such as coolaroo sun shades. These types of sunshades are able to block 95% of sun’s harmful rays. Materials use in coolaroo sunshades are made from durable fabric. Most of these sun shades are seen on restaurants and cafes with external space for customers who prefer to sit outside of the building. Slope shades are also referred to as shade sails because it provide semi-horizontal slanting or shading. These shades are difficult to dismount and are installed in places where you can leave it all year round. Retractable versions are available but are more expensive. However, it is also of great utility since you can retract the shades during winter.
There are also sun shades that are combination of flat and slope shades. These kinds of shades are meant to protect windows and provide additional protection from alternating weather.
Aside from the flat and slope shade, solar screens are also used as shades. These screens are made from canvas or durable woven mesh that effectively blocks the sun’s rays from passing through the windows. The fabric or canvas is weighted on the bottom, commonly known as gravity-fed fabric, to pull the canvas down between the guy wires or guide rails. However, solar screens are meant to be used for warm weathers only, and are not much of use in the winter or rainy season. Just like awnings and sunshades, it efficiently lowers warm temperature, providing cooler interiors and reduce electricity bill. Due to specialized frames plus the tools required in attaching solar screens, professional installers mainly do the work. If you prefer personalized and DIY sun shades, there are also shade screens that are frame less for you to install your own shades.
Sunshades are available in various materials. Aside from fabric, it can also be made of concrete, glass, corrugated fiberglass and polycarbonate, roofing sheet, bronze, and ferro cement. In high-rises, concrete shades are most commonly used for windows and balconies. To ensure the durability and stability of the shades, metal wires are inserted into the walls. For flat shades that are installed near the roof, a belt is provided to secure the shade. Generally, slope shades are costlier than flat sunshades, which is due to the materials and attachments that are required before the shade’s installation.
Sun shades are structures that improve your home’s exterior beauty and gives you weather-control capabilities. Just make sure that the shades are installed to the right exteriors to maximize the shades functions and benefits.