When the summer sun starts to shine, most of us rush to heed its siren song and head outdoors. And if you’ve invested in a patio to expand your living area outside your home, so much the better.
But even if you have the most stunning deck right out in your yard, you’re only going to spend time on it if it feels like a relaxing oasis—and not a sweat-inducing inferno.
If you’re looking for deck ideas to help you stay cool during the hottest months of the year, we have a few tips to get you started.
1. Fans and Misters
Great for small decks and contained spaces, fans and misters are obvious solutions for your heatwave issues—but they’re effective enough that you shouldn’t overlook them.
Air circulation is a key to keeping cool in the heat, and placing a fan on your deck creates a pleasant breeze on demand whenever you need it.
If you want to upgrade your cooling system, opt for a fan with a mister. You’ll need to attach it to a garden hose, but the wafting mist will cool you off much in the same way your own sweat wood (without the sticky mess afterward).
2. Umbrellas
Again, if you’re looking for small deck ideas, umbrellas are an inexpensive and easy fix. They’ll look particularly classic around a poolside deck, but they work just as well with a patio table.
Your shade coverage will be limited, of course, but an umbrella’s portability makes up for this disadvantage, as you can easily take it and move it wherever you want. Sturdier options also allow you to angle the umbrella as the sun moves.
3. Rugs
Depending on the deck material you’ve chosen, the surface of your deck might become scorching hot on a sunny summer day. However, wood and high-quality composite decks tend not to feel quite as hot as cement or other types, and choosing lighter colors can help them stay even cooler.
Finding an all-weather rug is a great way to add effortless style to your deck while keeping the surface nice and cool. They come in a range of sizes and styles, of course, making them a great home deck idea no matter the size of your deck.
4. Patio Cover
If you really want to stay outside in the scorching heat, a deck cover may be your best bet. These structures are a great way to add some shady protection to the area, not to mention protection from the elements.
You have a huge range of classic and modern styles to choose from, making them a good addition to virtually any deck.
5. Plant Natural Shade
This won’t give you instant shade, of course, but it’s a wonderful way to plan a future shady summer deck. As the proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
Trees can make the air beneath them up to 25 degrees cooler than air around. As an added bonus, planting trees is a great way to add value to your home in general: Lawn and Garden Retailer found that planting large plants and trees can increase a house’s value by up to $3,648.
Test Out These Deck Ideas for a Great Escape
Whether you dig an old fan out of the attic or go all-out for a shady new pergola and trellis, you’ll thank yourself once you can sit on your deck without suffering from the sweltering heat. If you’re looking for more specific advice on your small deck or additional deck ideas, get in touch with us. We’re always happy to help!