Considering Your Shade Options
There are many shade options available, they vary wildly from providing very little to a lot of protection. Some options will provide only shade, while others will protect from wind and rain also. Choosing what is right for you will let you make the most of your spa.
Open Pergolas
The simplest shelter is an open pergola, these form a structure that creates a great aesthetic while being simple and usually relatively cheap. When built with the sun in mind they can provide a decent amount of shade, especially at lower latitudes to all but the very highest midday sun. It’s also popular to use lattice on the top or sides to allow creeper plants to grow to increase the amount of shade provided. The great thing about pergolas is that they don’t impede the natural airflow, this means that the heat can escape straight up easily and allows the cooling breeze to pass through.
Pergolas with Roofs
The next simplest shade structure is a pergola with a roof. This can be as simple as adding laser light or Colorbond cladding to an existing pergola (check wind loading first), or it can go as far as adding remote-controlled horizontal blinds or electrically actuated louvres such as the fantastic Vergola roof system. Pergolas with removable or remote-controlled roofs offer the same advantages of great airflow when desired while providing additional shade from direct overhead sun as well as usually being able to protect from light rain showers.
Horizontal Blinds
Horizontal blinds require a structure to be affixed to, they can range from automated awnings that extend from the side of a house or other structure or they can be true horizontal blinds added to an existing structure’s open roof area. Horizontal blinds are popular to add to open pergolas as a means of gaining extra versatility without creating a brand-new structure or altering the existing pergola in a major way.
Portable Pergolas and Gazebos
Portable shelters are another good option available. Most portable options are not suitable for high wind areas, in any case, the manufacturer should provide a wind rating and you should take the structure down to prevent damage or injury if the wind becomes too high.
On the other hand, these are a great, lower-cost way of having a similar benefit to a Vergola or a pergola with a horizontal blind. In cooler weather, you can remove the structure, enjoy the sun on your skin and recharge with some vitamin D from the comfort of your spa. The portability of each option will vary, Oztrail offers portable Gazebos that take just 5 minutes to put up, these and similar models are available from Bunnings. Many options also come with the ability to add either solid or mesh sidewall kits for additional shade, and wind and bug protection. Of course, at a certain point, some more substantial “portable” structures that take a long time to put up or pack away (especially pergolas) may as well be replaced with a permanent fixture.
Fabric Shade Sail
When talking about outdoor shade one of the first things that will probably come to mind is a shade sail. Shade sails can be made from waterproof and completely opaque materials like canvas or semi-opaque, non-waterproof, purpose-made shade cloth. They’re common at schools and sports grounds, but they’re more accessible at home than you might think and often a comparable price to other alternatives while adding a unique and stylish aesthetic that is not commonly applied to the home.
An Alfresco Space
Many modern homes are built with alfresco spaces included in the plan. If your home has an existing alfresco this is a great place to install a spa and enjoy the shade. Be sure to consider if your alfresco provides enough shade for your spa and equally as important that it doesn’t provide too much shade or create a dead-air space likely to get stale or mildewy.
Pool Hut or Cabana
A very classy way to add shade to your pool area is with a pool hut or cabana. The modern take on a cabana ranges from a basic, lightweight hut to a substantial and ornate cabin. A common trope of a pool hut or cabana is to have sides that can be opened on 3 sides, often with lace or chiffon that can be pulled across for shade when the sun is at lower angles to the horizon. Depending on where you put a cabana, the structure can block a majority of the hottest midday sun, plus it provides a great place to retreat to when you have had enough time in your spa or pool, but are not ready to call it a day.
Enclosed Pool Room
The final option is to create an enclosed pool room that includes your spa and pool. This has the added advantage of taking care of the safety enclosure requirements for your spa and pool. A well-designed pool room can have a louvre roof or other retractable roof that allows for great ventilation and the option of an open-air courtyard feel. The advantage of louvres is that they can be oriented to provide shade while still providing a breezy and open feel. This can also be achieved with French folding windows and doors to create a room that also doubles as a dynamic luxury pergola.