Life in Florida is often defined by two weather conditions: the beautiful Florida sun, and the annual hurricane season which batters its shores. For this reason, most houses in Florida are required to have at least some sort of hurricane protection. Sarasota FL residents will be acquainted with these contradicting weather conditions, but may be wondering how they can reclaim some of their outdoor space during those summer months. Pergola installation is a great way to protect your home or leisure space from the intense sun and heat we experience much of the year.
Between June and September each year, temperatures in Sarasota typically reach 90F which makes for a great day at the beach, but at times an uncomfortable time in your backyard. Installing some sort of shelter can allow you and your family to enjoy spending time outside each summer.
Here are some ways that we recommend reclaiming outdoor space from that stifling summer sun.
Health Benefits of Pergola Installation: Why to Limit Direct Sunlight Exposure
The idea with any kind of outdoor shelter is to limit exposure to direct sunlight. While we do require some exposure to direct sunlight for Vitamin D, excess can cause a variety of problems ranging from uncomfortable to deadly. Scientists believe that we need around 5 to 15 minutes of exposure each day, with a max of 30 minutes. This is dependent on several conditions including age, race, diet, etc; but gives a good rule of thumb. Failure to limit direct sunlight exposure can lead to:
- Dry skin and skin conditions in those with sensitive skin
- Uncomfortable sunburn and in some cases serious burns
- Skin cancers
By finding suitable outdoor shelters for your home, you can reduce the risk of the above and ensure your families health.
Awnings
Typically consisting of a frame and a sheet of material, awnings are tried-and-true methods for creating shelter around buildings and structures. Awning and pergola installation can be dated back to Ancient Syrian and Egyptian times, where they were used on market stalls to provide shelter for products, vendors, and their customers. Retractable awnings came about during the Roman empire, and aren’t too different from the manual awnings we know today.
Modern awnings typically come in three forms: manually retractable awnings, motorized retractable awnings, and double-slope or terrace awnings.
Manually Retractable Awnings
The most affordable of the three kinds of awnings, these are the most similar to the Roman awning in the way that they function. The materials used to make them, however, have changed dramatically over the years. Most manual retractable awnings will be made of a lightweight metal and a durable and UV-resistant fabric such as Sunbrella fabric. As the name suggests, these awnings must be operated manually, which may be inconvenient during freak storm events.
Motorized Retractable Awnings
A truly modern version of the awning, these have small motors built into them which allow awnings to be retracted at the touch of a button. While this is a substantially more expensive option than manual awnings, the convenience is apparent. Motorized retractable awnings also hold their value and can be a great addition if you’re considering selling your house.
Double Slope Retractable Awnings
These are typically seen in the outdoor areas of bars and restaurants, and create a standalone shelter which is ideal for dining tables. These can be suitable for those homes with a large backyard area, and can make a sheltered space next to your pool.
As you’re installing structures which can potentially be torn apart and thrown around by high winds, you may want to look into updating your hurricane protection in Sarasota FL. This is a coastal area so there are risks of extremely high winds which can cause such damage.
Pergolas
Plucked from the Italian renaissance, pergolas were an elegant addition to the majestic gardens of the wealthy and powerful. Nowadays, pergolas can be an affordable addition to your backyard or garden and can create a space in which you can enjoy the great outdoors without exposing yourself to harmful UV rays. Typically made of 4 or 6 columns supporting a fabric roof, pergolas are also aesthetically suitable to a range of different architectural styles. And just like motorized awnings, pergolas can pay for themselves if you’re looking to make valuable modifications to your home for resale. Modern pergolas also allow for a few different features such as having retractable sides or a fixed cover.
Pergola Installation Sarasota FL
Here at Sun and Storm Systems, we’re equipped with both awnings and pergolas, as well as high quality hurricane protection. Native Floridians tend to be proactive about storm preparation, but the sun is also something to enjoy but be protected from. Our pergola installation in Sarasota FL does that and more! If you would like more information on these solutions for your outdoor spaces, you can contact us to see how our solutions can assist you for the long term.
