Awnings are traditionally used in the garden to create an area of shade and shelter from the sun. There are many disadvantages to having awnings and many homeowners are opting for some other popular solutions. There are some of the top alternatives to awnings that will block the sun whilst adding a modern touch to any garden.
Pergolas offer a modern and simple alternative to traditional awnings. A pergola is a structure created from wood, usually with four vertical pillars and multiple cross-sectional beams. They offer an area of shade under which a seated area is usually present, and they’ve also been utilised for providing shade to plants.
A pergola with a sail roof provides a more traditional awning alternative, while other more modern designs feature wooden roofs or full sun climbing plants that eventually grow to create the shade. The advantages a pergola has over an awning is that the pergola offers a more permanent solution as well as adding an element of design to the garden.
Retractable pull down shades, known also as bistro blinds, offer a solution for those who want a more manageable alternative to awnings that aren’t permanent. The pull down shades offer flexibility as they can be pulled down to the most suitable height when needed, and tucked away when there is no need for them.
Retractable pull down shades are a great alternative to awnings for those with small gardens or those who don’t want to take the attention away from a feature within their garden. The material used in these shades are also a lot more durable when compared to awnings and therefore last a lot longer.
The use of jumbo outdoor hanging umbrellas as a source of shade has become a popular awning alternative recently within the UK. Rather than being attached to a pole in the middle, a design seen in normal umbrellas, outdoor umbrellas are held up by a giant metal arm that attaches to the top of the umbrella, giving it a sleek and modern look. These outdoor umbrellas are used extensively to provide shade and UV protection in the garden for seated areas. The advantage of outdoor umbrellas comes from being able to move them around while they still maintain their sturdiness. There are also fixed roof terrace covers and these work brilliantly above a patio or decking, offering really good strong protection from rain whilst allowing light to com through.
The final of the top alternatives to awnings requires patience. It is none other than a tree. While trees require time to grow, they are the perfect providers of shade and they add to the appearance of the garden. Two of the most popular trees being used in the UK as alternative shade providers are the silver birch and the hornbeam, both of which, once full grown will provide an abundance of shade to the garden.
Ranging from cheap and easily maintainable, to solutions, which require more time, money and energy to be spent on them, there are a number of different alternatives to awnings that will provide shade within the garden. Each with their own advantages and benefits, there’s an option that will suit every garden.