Patio Heat and Shade

Ah, the dog days of summer. As the sun beats down on our unsuspecting families, the absolute favorite cooling-off activity is to take a dip in the pool. Cool water feels amazing on a hot day.

As you sit poolside you realize that your little ones are having such a good time “not splashing their siblings” that they don’t pay attention to the effect the sun’s rays are having on them. Though it’s true that UV rays of the wavelength that causes sunburn can only penetrate about two inches of water, that’s not where the problem lies. UV light reflects off the surface of the water, and therefore the part of your body that is outside of the water will receive a MUCH greater dosage of UV than if you were simply sitting in the sun.

After about ten minutes of watching little Hunter losing badly at Marco Polo, you begin to realize this fact. Welp, you’ve got two options… 1. Continue to have him reapply sunscreen or 2. Get that poor little guy some shade.

You’ve provided blessed relief for your family with your backyard pool, why not step it up a notch and shade them from the sun’s relentless attack all summer long. We asked our patio experts (you know, the best experts in the business who know just about everything about keeping you and your family comfortable outdoors all year long) for some of their favorite pool shade ideas that will keep your family safe and comfy, no matter what the sun may throw at them. Here are their favorite ideas.

1. Use a large cantilever umbrella in poolside lounge areas to cool down after a swim

Outdoor poolside scene with teak wood furniture, shrubbery, and tropical trees in the background, and a FIM Manufacturing P-Series P19 rectangular giant cantilever umbrella

More shade is better, and the huge canopy (10’ x 13’) of the FIM Manufacturing P-Series P19 rectangular giant cantilever umbrella will provide a huge footprint of shade for your little ones. Built like a tank, the solid construction includes a brace for the canopy against the upright posts, helping to keep it stable and in place during the windiest days.

2. Or extend your cantilever umbrella over the spa for shade while you relax

Modern outdoor pool scene at dusk, with white stucco walls surrounding the pool, dark wood dining table and seating, grill and bar area with led lighting under the countertop, large potted plants by the pool near which stands a SimplyShade Bali Pro SSAD45SL-10SQ00-A5404 square starlight cantilever umbrella

Keep the deep muscle-penetrating heat of the hot water in your spa while cutting down on those harmful UV rays by placing the Simply Shade Bali Pro SSAD45SL-10SQ00-A5404 square starlight cantilever umbrella over your hot tub or spa. The blessed relief of the shade will protect you during the daytime, and as the sun vamooses over the western horizon the built-in LED lighting will keep the party going long into the night.

3. Mount an umbrella directly into your pool to create shade when you need it

Outdoor pool scene with rock accent walls, partially submerged lounge area with beige-strapped chaise lounges, pool table with drinks upon it, and a Treasure Garden UM8000-58039-DWV round market umbrella between the lounges

Although there are all kinds of ways to mount your umbrella (sand- or water-filled base, ground mount, deck mount or concrete mount like you see here), we prefer the concrete-mount for its long-term permanence. Here the family has used the easy twist collar tilt function of the Treasure Garden UM8000-58039-DWV round market umbrella to provide optimal shade coverage right where they needed it.

4. Create a shady corner in your rectangular pool with a shade sail

Outdoor pool scene with stacked stone half wall, white vinyl railing to pool, large stone corner architectural wall from which a waterfall rains down, with tropical plants and a Custom Shade Sails CSS10RT-SS right triangle commercial grade shade sail stretched over the corner of the pool

Made here in the USA, the Custom Shade Sails CSS10RT-SS right triangle commercial grade shade sail creates a sun sanctuary in a spectacular waterfall section of the pool. Designed so that water will pass through the shade sail, it’s specifically designed so that it won’t dry rot or mildew – providing you with years of shade relief.

5. Use a cantilever umbrella by the shallow end of your pool to stay out of the sun and protected from harmful UV radiation

Outdoor pool scene with one Bambrella Cantilever square umbrella shading the pool

Here the Bambrella Sirocco Collection square cantilever umbrella can tilt at a 45 degree angle to create the perfect shady spot in the pool. We love that this stylish umbrella is also built to withstand strong winds, creating the perfect shade for both residential and commercial use.

6. Use multiple shade sails to shade the entire length of your pool

7. You can’t go wrong with a classic poolside umbrella!

Pool Shade FAQs

What are the best shade options for a pool?

Permanent Solution: Think “something with a roof,” whether that be a pergola or a pool house that shades all or part of your pool with overhead architecture. Although not technically permanent, trees and shrubs can shade your pool well (although they’ll contribute to having higher pool maintenance).

Semi-Permanent Solution: Adding a shade sail is a fantastic option for more contemporary homes (you can use the bright colors to make your outdoor oasis pop). Their large size and ability to use multiple sails makes them the ideal solution to cover a large area.

Flexible Solutions: Adding a patio umbrella (whether Market Umbrella or Cantilever Umbrella) will create shade where you need it… and can easily be moved to a different area when your needs change. Consider adding a large awning to be able to add shade some days and let the sun shine down on others.

What is the best way to shade an above-ground pool?

Welp, that kind of depends on what you have to work with. If you have a structure nearby, or would be willing to install permanent poles, we prefer a shade sail to keep your above-ground pool comfy. If you prefer something more permanent, a pergola provides partial shade and may be just right for your above-ground fun (and provide a visual focal point as well). Trees and shrubs will also provide shade (and give you some extra pool-skimming fun to remove leaves and branches). Lastly, on your pool deck we would suggest a patio umbrella to add classic shade to your deck.

How do I get shade around my pool?

One option to add shade around your pool is by adding either shade sails or a patio umbrella. Not sure which is right for you? Give our patio experts a call and they’ll be happy to help you identify the perfect shade for your space.

We’ve gotten some fantastic options for adding shade to your pool, using shade sails and patio umbrellas to protect our loved ones. Here at Patio Heat and Shade we pride ourselves on having the best patio comfort experts in the business, and we’re here to help. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect solution for shading your pool or other outdoor space to keep you and yours comfy throughout the summer. Don’t be shy – give us a call, we promise to treat you like family.

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7 Cool Pool shade Ideas to Beat the Heat

1. Use a large cantilever umbrella in poolside lounge areas to cool down after a swim

2. Or extend your cantilever umbrella over the spa for shade while you relax

3. Mount an umbrella directly into your pool to create shade when you need it

4. Create a shady corner in your rectangular pool with a shade sail

5. Use a cantilever umbrella by the shallow end of your pool to stay out of the sun and protected from harmful UV radiation

6. Use multiple shade sails to shade the entire length of your pool

7. You can’t go wrong with a classic poolside umbrella!

Pool Shade FAQs

What are the best shade options for a pool?

What is the best way to shade an above-ground pool?

How do I get shade around my pool?

Ideas & Inspiration

Heating

Shading

Cooling

Outdoor Living

Commercial Applications

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1. Use a large cantilever umbrella in poolside lounge areas to cool down after a swim

2. Or extend your cantilever umbrella over the spa for shade while you relax

3. Mount an umbrella directly into your pool to create shade when you need it

4. Create a shady corner in your rectangular pool with a shade sail

5. Use a cantilever umbrella by the shallow end of your pool to stay out of the sun and protected from harmful UV radiation

6. Use multiple shade sails to shade the entire length of your pool

7. You can’t go wrong with a classic poolside umbrella!

What are the best shade options for a pool?

What is the best way to shade an above-ground pool?

How do I get shade around my pool?

Ideas & Inspiration

Heating

Shading

Cooling

Outdoor Living

Commercial Applications