This Pennsylvania deck was designed to be an extension of the home, with plenty of room for outdoor dining, grilling, and relaxing. But like many open decks, it was difficult to enjoy comfortably throughout the entire day.
The homeowners wanted to keep the deck open and maintain the view of their yard while having more control over the sun, wind, and privacy. Rather than adding a permanent roof or enclosing the entire space, they chose a tension shade with solar shades that gives them flexibility throughout the day.
Shade When You Need It
Installed above the deck, the tension shade provides expansive overhead shade coverage while maintaining the open feel of the space. The track-guided fabric moves across the aluminum frame and stays taut when extended. This gives the shade a clean appearance while providing protection from the sun over the deck’s dining and seating areas.
Because the tension shade can be retracted, the homeowners aren’t committed to having a covered deck all the time. They can extend it when the afternoon sun becomes too strong and open it back up when they want more sunshine or to enjoy the nighttime sky.
The aluminum frame also gives the system a more integrated appearance. Its white finish complements the existing deck and railing, allowing the shade structure to blend naturally with the home.
Adding Comfort Along the Side
The overhead tension shade wasn’t the only addition to this deck. Solar shades were installed along the side and front to provide another level of protection. Solar shades use a screen fabric that helps reduce glare and heat while filtering UV rays. Because the fabric isn’t completely opaque, the homeowners can still enjoy views of their yard when the shades are lowered.
Solar shades also add privacy. When the homeowners want the deck to feel a little more secluded, they can lower the shades. When privacy isn’t needed, the shades can be retracted. The combination of these shade systemsworks especially well because they can be adjusted independently. The homeowners can use the tension shade, the solar shades, or both depending on the conditions.
Designed Around the Existing Deck
The shade system was installed around the deck’s existing layout and railing, creating a cohesive look rather than making the shade structure feel like an addition. The aluminum posts and frame provide the structure for both the tension shades and solar shades, while the track systems allow each product to operate smoothly.
Careful installation and alignment were important to make sure the tracks, frame, and shade components worked together properly, and the finished system adds functionality without taking away from the clean design of the deck.
More Ways to Use the Space
With the new shade system in place, the deck can be adjusted throughout the day. On a sunny afternoon, the tension shade can provide overhead relief from the sun. If additional protection or privacy is desired, the solar shades can be lowered along the sides.
When the weather is comfortable, everything can be retracted and the deck can return to its original open-air feel. That’s one of the advantages of combining different outdoor shade products. Instead of permanently changing the space, homeowners can choose how much coverage they want at any given time.
For this Pennsylvania deck, a tension shade with solar shades creates a comfortable outdoor space that can adapt to the weather, the time of day, and the way the homeowners want to use it.
Interested in adding more shade or privacy to your outdoor space? Contact your local Aristocrat Awnings dealer to explore tension shades, solar shades, fabric options, and custom configurations for your deck or patio.
