Beyond the reach of Toronto’s big city lights is the town of Caledon and this private residential install. Trying to recapture the surrounding beauty of Northern Ontario, this homeowner sought to create a secluded outdoors retreat hidden from the rest of the world. Starting from nothing but a dried patch of grass and visible sightlines from neighboring houses, the project started modestly enough with a garden along the properties perimeter. Shortly after, a wood deck and pergola, adorned with a variety of plants and trellis was constructed to form the walls of their personal getaway. However, to get the most of their private enclave and the best parts of nature, both rain or shine, the homeowners decided to install a 16X13 ShadeFX manual retractable canopy over a section of their hideaway.

The canopy was installed with the high side flush against the house to manage all rain runoff into the yard. This subtle precaution ensures the homeowners total relaxation and ease when using the space. With the quality Sunbrella fabric, a beautiful Tuscan red, this personal refuge will provide the homeowners with the perfect escape for years to come.

“Our Shadefx canopy has been a wonderful “addition” to our home.  Our favourite feature is the  flexibility it provides us.  We can extend the canopy and relax in a shaded “room” outdoors or we can quickly and easily retract it to enjoy sun on the deck and in the house.  The canopy also allows us to leave our upholstered patio furniture and carpets out all summer long – no more dragging cushions in and out with the threat of rain. An additional and unexpected benefit has been the privacy our canopy affords – it’s like relaxing or entertaining in an intimate, modern space, while feeling the breeze, listening to the waterfall, smelling the garden and watching the hummingbirds at the feeder.  The family dog also loves to lounge under the protection of the canopy on rainy or sunny days.

Our Shadefx canopy has been one of the best investments we have made to our home.  It has resulted in reduced energy costs because the shade it provides results in less dependence on air conditioning during hotter months.  But more importantly, installing the canopy has been like building an addition onto the house – it has provided a wonderful, useable space, without the complication and cost of a conventional addition.”

– Angela Larsen, ShadeFX Owner

See the dramatic changes, before and after, from a suburban backyard to private hideaway:

Do you want to add flexibility and comfort to your outdoor space? Send us your design and ideas to get started!