If you are like a lot of families in Central Texas right now, you are saving money on gas and electricity by cooking outside on your concrete patio or deck.
No, I mean literally. It was so hot the other day, one of our chickens walked up onto our back porch. I thought nothing of it until I looked out and saw a fully cooked rotisserie-style chicken sitting there. So what does one do in that situation? I threw some vegetables on the patio and some potatoes and 15 minutes later we had a meal. We even baked some cookies as dessert because why not? But we had to go inside to enjoy it because it was so hot. Even the dog stayed inside looking at us like we were nuts. So how can we help to beat this heat?
In all seriousness though I get asked all the time. What can we do in our backyard to help with some of this heat? My kids want to play and can’t because it is too hot. We want to sit outside and enjoy our chicken (sorry Ethel) but can’t because it is too hot. So what can we do?
You are in luck, we have all sorts of ideas. From simple to extravagant there are all sorts of options for shade structures.
Pergola
A pergola is a structure built typically of western red cedar, pine, or even steel that provides shade covering over an area. They typically have 1×2 or 2×2 slats that act as a “blind” almost as the sun rises and falls. We will sometimes suggest a slope to it so that you can add a roof covering later without any problems and can be relatively inexpensive.
Why not try a Pergola?
Pros:
- Pergolas tend to be the least expensive option for shade covering
- They can be placed in almost any area, even ones with a difficult roofline.
- They provide a ton of shade for those blistering hot days of summer.
- They will last for a long time, especially with proper maintenance.
- They are relatively easy to maintain with the proper stain, sealer, or paint.
- They provide a very attractive space for your family to be able to enjoy year-round.
- They can adapt to almost any situation, terrain, or difficult roofline.
- They can be extremely ornate or very simple.
Cons:
- They do not provide coverage from rain but can be easily adapted with polygal, metal, shingle, and other roof-type materials
Patio Cover
Another way to beat the heat is with a patio cover. What is the difference? It has a roof on it vs. a pergola which is only slatting that allows rain through. A patio Cover shields and protects from rain, snow (yes in Texas February 2021), sleet, or hail. It is a great way to get that shade protection you are looking for.
Why not do a patio cover instead?
Pros:
- They provide year-round protection from the elements keeping you dry when it is raining.
- They can come inexpensive to very ornate and grandiose.
- You can do gables, half gables, slants, and all sorts of designs on a patio cover.
- You can put a bunch of different roof options on it. Metal, shingles, polygal and several others.
- You can put in skylights, electrical connections, fans, and lights. You can even put a ceiling into it and close it in with tongue and groove.
Cons:
- They can be very difficult and get expensive with certain rooflines, but we have options.
- They are more expensive than pergolas but with much more benefits.
So, we have learned some of the differences in shade covers for your deck or concrete patio. Each situation, budget, and project is going to be different, but the goal is the same. How do I beat the heat in Central Texas? These are some of the ways we can help do that.
