The demand for outdoor living spaces has hit new highs. Pictures of inviting outdoor living areas grace the covers of many home magazines, and the National Association of Home Builders reports tell us that outdoor living improvements are among the top projects that capture the imagination of homeowners. The idea of entertaining family and friends or having a place of respite in our own backyard is extremely appealing.
The most comfortable months for eating and entertaining outside on the desert floor are typically from February to late May, and October through November. However, even the hottest part of year, May 28th to September 19th, can be made comfortable with the addition of shade.
One way to bring extra shade to the yard and extend our outdoor living season is through patio covers, extensions, ramadas and cantilevers. Tom Booth of Booth Built Patio Products has been installing patio products for over 40 years. Tom has a passion for designing custom products to meet the needs of his customers and shared his best products with us.
Backyard Shade Cover Options
Ramada
A ramada is a free-standing unit with 4 posts. Tom uses a product called Weatherwood for many of his projects. These products are made of a heavy gauge, rolled aluminum. Unlike wood it never needs to be sanded or painted and is available in different colors and textures.
The options for the roof are a lattice cover, allowing filtered light onto the surface below, or a solid foam core roof.
Porch/Patio Covers
Tom says customers who have no porch cover can purchase installed covers that are directly tied into the structure of the home. If a home has an existing patio cover, and it does not supply sufficient shade, it is common for homeowners to extend their shade cover with a shade structure that starts at the end of the patio. The new structure can be customized to follow the line of the porch giving it a coherent look. See an example of that here.
Like the ramada, the roof of the cover can be solid or a latticed cover as preferred.
Cantilevers
The cantilever is a cover that is engineered with just 2 legs. This look is a great choice for those who have mid-century modern or modern architecture. Cantilevers can be stand-alone units or tied into the structure of the home.
Booth likes the 4K Aluminum product. The design allows for a better, unobstructed view of your surroundings. Cantilevers are very popular and make a statement with their unique construction.
The cost of patio products like these ranges from $25 to $100 per square foot. Common additions Tom offers include low voltage lighting and overhead fans.
High End Ramadas
Azenco for example, is a high end ramada. They run about $150 per square foot for those who want a spectacular product. Booth Built Patio Products is a certified installer of Azenco.
This brand is currently manufactured in Florida. The construction and beauty of this French product is impressive. Their specialty, Tom says, is the automatic louvered roof. It opens and closes seamlessly with a remote. Built in gutters provide an efficient and clean experience.
Other Backyard Shade Options
Privacy Walls
Privacy walls are made of the same aluminum material as the porch covers. Slats are hung in a frame that is placed in the ground with footings. See an example here.
The slats are positioned so that neighbors and others cannot see through to your outdoor space. These walls are especially popular in neighborhoods where there are no block walls between houses.
Closed In Porches
A closed in sunroom can be added to the house with non-removable screens. This makes a great Arizona room.
Homeowners who are gone for long periods of time sometimes prefer glass to enclose the room to keep the dust out. The addition of a mini split for heating and cooling could be a consideration here.
Which Shade Option Is Right For You?
To narrow down your choices, start by thinking about how you use your outdoor space now and what you would like to be able to do going forward. Consider what limits you from spending time in your backyard space and what would it take to encourage you to spend more time there?
If it is the sun that prohibits you, observe what times of day direct sun chases you away and think through where a shade structure would make the most sense.
Patio products are an investment, and it is important to put time and thought into the design. It is also a good idea to invest in a quality product that can stand up to the Arizona sun and wind year after year.
Tom says an onsite visit from a professional is the best place to start and recommends a licensed and bonded contractor. Be sure to check out Rosie’s How to Choose a Contractor Guide. It will give you steps to ensure you choose a qualified company!
When vetting a company, check the company’s reviews for customer service and then observe how the company operates. Do they communicate well? Does the sales representative listen to you or are they more interested in selling to you. Are they knowledgeable about the product? Do they show up on time? Do they keep their commitments when they say they’ll do something? Remember, this is the dating phase and likely as good as it gets. If a contractor is not on his game when he is courting you, it is doubtful they will improve as the project goes on.
A qualified patio expert will be able to:
- Walk you through the choices available. He or she will ask lots of questions and have suggestions based on how you want to use the space and the orientation of the property to the sun. They’ll offer design ideas that reflect that they were listening and will contribute to the conversation.
- Access your cities code and establish parameters for where a ramada can be placed. Often the setbacks for auxiliary buildings are 3ft at the back of the yard and 5ft on the side. There is generally a height restriction between 9 and 10 feet. Remember, each city has its own set of codes and restrictions.
- Determine whether a permit is needed. In many municipalities, a structure under 200 sq ft does not need a permit. A permit is also not required for low voltage lighting.
An investment in a shade structure can greatly enhance your outdoor living experience enabling you to do more activities for longer hours of the day and more weeks/months of the year. Shade can make you feel 10-15 degrees cooler when the sun isn’t hitting you and warming your body. Shade can also keep you from the full force of the UV rays from the sun.
Shade is a win-win, and we love the practicality and look of ramadas, and porch covers!
###
CONTENT PARTNER | Booth Built Patio Products
Since 1982, Booth Built Patio Products has enhanced over 5,000 homes in the valley of the sun. We seamlessly manage permits, engineering, and collaborate with all Homeowners Associations (HOA). Upholding a “do it right the first time” approach has made Booth Built Patio Products a leader in Arizona Patio Shade and Arizona Patio Enclosure construction. “Our customers choose us because they seek precision in their patio or sunroom construction, and we pledge to deliver exactly that.” – Tom Booth, Owner of Booth Built Patio Products
PODCAST
The demand for outdoor living spaces has hit new highs. A wise investment in a shade structure can greatly enhance your outdoor living experience. Booth Built Patio Products discusses ramadas, porch covers, cantilevers, and more to get you “made in the shade”.
Podcast Archive With Expanded Content and Resources
PHOTO CREDIT
Comments (2)
Paul F Dion
March 23, 2024 at 10:44 pmLooking for a cover for back yard.
Jenifer Gura
March 25, 2024 at 2:05 pmThanks for your comment Paul! You can search for the closest Patio & Outdoor Living Spaces contractors here: https://rosieonthehouse.com/search-partner/. If you are interested in reaching out to Booth Built Patio Products, fill out a partner contact form here: https://rosieonthehouse.com/listing/booth-built-patio-products/.