We’re officially in spring and summer is right around the corner. If you have a swimming pool, there’s no time like the present to start planning for a season full of backyard barbecues, pool parties, and a little light reading with any of these four pool shade solutions.

A shade structure creates a comfortable, shady spot for you and your guests to relax in the pool or poolside while blocking harmful UV rays, and protection from the elements.

Which shade structure should you choose?

Let’s consider a few of your options:

Shade Sails

Shade sails offer a modern look. Shaped like a sail and stretched between poles or from a house’s fascia or roof bracket to a pole. A shade sail is as much an architectural design element as it is a shade structure. For a dramatic look, sails can be overlapped or placed in an array of unique angles giving a pool a contemporary, edgy look.

Patio Covering

Of course, patio covers have been around a long time and offer a shady spot to relax by the pool.  Attached to the home, patio covers may have a solid roof or an open roof of trellis or lattice. The additional shade will reduce your energy bills as well as protect expensive patio furniture. Once again, like a pergola, a retractable canopy can be added to an open roof of a patio for versatility and extra protection from the sun and rain.

Improving your home with a shade structure will beautify your space and provide you with a safe and comfortable way to enjoy the luxury of your outdoor pool. Whether you want a lightweight solution such as a retractable shade or shade sail or a more permanent option such as a pergola or patio cover, you have a wide array of options available. Look for shade options that use the latest technology in terms of material, so that you get the greatest value and a shade solution that offers the best protection from harmful UV rays.

Pergolas

If you don’t want to shade the pool itself but still want refuge from the sun, a pergola is a great option. A freestanding structure can be placed near the pool along with comfortable lounge chairs and other outdoor accessories to create a shady, comfortable, and relaxing enclave to enjoy conversation, relaxation, and perhaps drinks with friends. A retractable canopy can also be added to a pergola to provide versatility, more shade, and protection from the elements.

Retractable Canopies

Retractable canopies are the ideal solution for shading a pool. These large-scale canopies run between beams spanned between support posts on each side of the pool, offering an easy and stylish way to shade a pool. Retractable canopies provide flexibility with access to shade and respite from the sun during the hottest months of the year with the option of easily retracting the canopy to let the sun in when desired. Durable and high quality fabrics can match any décor and provide up to 98% protection from the harmful effects of the sun.