Swimming pools have always been associated with summer, sun, and fun. Whenever the weather’s hot and sunny, expect everyone to lounge around the pool and dip in the cool water.
Do you have a pool, but you want some protection from the sun’s scorching rays? So you have come to the right place. Installing a shade structure over the pool can deliver a range of benefits beyond UV protection and relief from the rays.
Today’s shade structures can be great aesthetic additions to a pool, giving you a bit of ambiance and style. And with well-structured, large-scale permanent structures, you’ll also be adding value to your home.
Considering that such shades do more than just shielding the sun, it’s important to choose one that complements your pool in the best possible way. So today, we’ve compiled a list of the 9 best pool shade ideas for varied requirements.
Table of Contents
Best Pool Shade Ideas
1. Conic Shade
We start off the list with something traditional and fundamental. A conic shade structure is one of the most practical and handy ways to build a shade for your swimming pool.
It essentially consists of four support bars with a cone-shaped fabric canopy (hence the name). The size of the canopy depends on the size of the area that you want to shade.
In addition to resisting Sydney’s scorching heat, conic shades also shield wind and rain. However, in that case, you may want to select a tensile fabric that is less prone to damage. Likewise, you can opt for a color that matches the outdoor setup.
2. Pool Umbrellas
For a long time now, umbrellas have been trusted to shade patios, yards, and even swimming pools. Moreover, there is a range of models that come with features like adjustable canopy angle, height, and more. And since they aren’t fixed into the ground, you can conveniently move them around as and when required.
In the case of bigger pools, you can either go for a larger canopy or place multiple umbrellas side-by-side to create a continuous shade. Again, there’s no dearth of colors or patterns to choose from.
3. Cantilevers
A cantilever is a type of canopy, which provides shade to the poolside and a part of the pool itself. But unlike pool conic shades, the support posts are driven into the ground. Hence, you have to decide on the best placement of a cantilever before installing it.
4. Shade Sails
If you’re looking for a shade that’s not only effective but also adds a touch of style to your pool, then shade sails might just fit your needs. These use the basic structure of a ship’s sail and consist of a flexible canopy anchored between multiple anchor points, based on the area to be covered.
Shade sails offer a distinct charm of modernity to the area, and the best thing about them is that they can be placed at various angles. Much like cantilevers, these shades are installed permanently, but cost significantly less and are easy to set up.
5. Poolside Pergola
Placing a pergola on your pool deck will provide some shade on the water. Plus, it will provide some much-needed shade while lounging poolside on the deck.
If you’re handy you could attempt a DIY pergola, or you could hire a local contractor to make you an awesome pool pergola.
6. Patio Awnings Extending Over The Pool
If your pool is located close to your home (or pool house), perhaps you could mount an awning to your house. Then with the awning extended it would provide some shade for your pool, and give shade to your outdoor patio area.
7. Retractable Fabric Shade Canopy
Retractable fabric shade canopies are a reliable option to transform your outdoor pool into an indoor variant. If you have a small or medium-sized pool, then these shades might as well cover the entire pool with ease.
These canopies are held in place by multiple support beams, which also render a classy look to the overall outdoor setup.
But undoubtedly, its biggest advantage is the retractable canopy, which allows you to remove the shade when not required. And just like conic shades, these provide adequate resistance against wind and rain.
8. Remote Operated Canopies
With an automatic mechanism, remote-operated canopies will certainly please the tech-freak in you. Furthermore, you don’t have to retract the shade all the way – it can be stopped at any point to create a partial shade. However, be prepared to shell out more money.
9. Free Standing Canopies
A downsized version of retractable fabric shade canopies is the free-standing canopy. Generally used to shade a specific part of the pool, these use a commercial-grade aluminum frame consisting of two support beams that hold the canopy. You can retract it to either side, thereby creating the desired canopy angle.
Advantages Of Having A Swimming Pool Shade
Let us quickly run through the three main benefits that a swimming pool shade can offer:
Reduce Your Pool’s Operating Costs
The shade cloth not only blocks ultraviolet sun rays but also helps to drastically reduce the heat within the pool and outdoor functional area.
With regular use of shades, your pool is protected against continuous sunrays that can ruin the pool. With lower water evaporation levels, you are bound to reduce your pool maintenance costs.
The Ultimate Solar Protection For Pool Areas
Shade sails provide up to 99% protection against ultraviolet rays and are primarily designed for providing protection against the sun.
They effectively filter out the dangerous UV rays harmful to our bodies. Continuous and extensive exposure to light can take a toll on the skin and the body. It is always better to have a swimming pool shade that shall cover your head while you enjoy swimming in the pools.
No Debris
With the presence of swimming pool shade; leaves, sticks, or flowers are fallen on the shade and not in the pool. This shall help in avoiding unwanted debris in the pool and in the outdoor area. You would probably like to have a clean pool than an unclean one which shall not alter the pH value of the water.
Shade Wise is an eminent company in Melbourne that offers quality-based swimming pool shades that come in different materials, colors, and UV stabilizers with good warranties.
With extensive experience, we ensure all our customer needs are fulfilled with our products. If you have any queries, feel free to call us. We are just a call away.
Conclusion
With so many pool landscape ideas at your disposal, taking a pick shouldn’t be that challenging. But in doing so, always make your budget a priority. While small ups and downs are welcome, you ideally wouldn’t want to stretch it too much.
That’s why; we highly recommend choosing a professional service that can customize your preferred structure to suit your needs. This way, you don’t end up spending more unnecessarily for features that virtually add no value.
With this, it’s time for us to say goodbye. But before that, here’s a quick pro-tip: design a blend of pergola and canopies to create the ultimate relaxing environment beside your pool.
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