Sun protection on the terrace: how to choose the right one?

By : Olivier Regnier - Categories : Pergolas
Sun protection on the terrace:how to choose the right one?

There is probably nothing more pleasant than enjoying your terrace at home when the first rays of sunshine appear. However, it also happens that the very same heat becomes unbearable and prevents you from fully enjoying your outdoor space. A distant memory for homeowners who have chosen to protect themselves from the sun on their terrace, or sometimes even play with it! So, how do you protect yourself from the sun on your terrace?

Which sun protection should you choose for your terrace?

Playing with the sun, hiding from it, protecting yourself, managing the temperature, countering UV rays: objectives can differ when you want to install sun protection on your terrace. Several solutions exist for this purpose, and there will certainly be one that suits you and meets your needs. From the pergola to the rest, discover all the options available.

Pergolas: an elegant and durable structure

Isn't the pergola the ultimate solution for protecting yourself from the sun? It is obviously a more expensive option than the others on our list, but in the long run, the investment is very often recouped, if only for the time spent under this new form of room that perfectly blends indoors and outdoors.

The pergola is a true extension of your home, and thanks to pergola accessories and the power of the bioclimatic concept, it offers shelter for all four seasons. Pergolas are elegant, add real value to your home, and above all allow you to enjoy the outdoors at any time of year.

With adjustable louvres, side panels or shade sails among the many pergola accessories, you end up playing with light and heat.

Awnings: a practical and versatile solution

Having arrived with great fanfare several decades ago, awnings remain advantageous for blocking the sun on the terrace. This solution is practical and, in the end, quite versatile.

By choosing how far the awning extends over the terrace, you can keep part of it in the shade and the other part in the sun. The only major drawback, however, is that the structure remains lightweight and vulnerable to strong wind gusts.

Awnings are among the most popular solutions for protecting yourself from the sun on the terrace. Easy to use, they extend and retract effortlessly, offering great flexibility depending on your need for shade or sunlight.

Photo of a FELICIA 2 Awning for a terrace

Shade sails: an aesthetic and lightweight choice

A private corner sheltered from prying eyes and a system that can quickly bring an abundance of elegance? This is one of the undeniable advantages of shade sails. With all kinds of fabrics and colours, the choice is aesthetic and sometimes very practical.

Its installation is difficult to make permanent unless it involves a shade sail added to a pergola or a rigid structure, but its design is undeniably perfect for all types of terraces or desired uses. The ambiance is guaranteed, often at a lower cost.

Parasols and gazebos: a flexible and economical option

Classic and timeless, parasols and gazebos are essentials found in every garden shed and every home. More or less old and sometimes of ambivalent quality, every household has a parasol somewhere. They are economical, flexible, and require no major effort to set up and thus provide shade. The drawback is obviously their lack of sturdiness and the inability to leave them unfolded or erected for more than a few hours.

Which sun protection for which type of environment?

With several solutions available to protect yourself from the sun and create shade for enjoying a good moment outdoors, it is worth remembering that some of them are not permanent. As you may have gathered, the aluminium pergola or the bioclimatic pergola are highly popular since, beyond sun protection, these shelters are able to welcome you throughout the entire year.

This doesn't prevent exploring other possibilities, especially when you're away from home. Parasols and gazebos remain practical for specific events, but nowadays, households and homeowners naturally gravitate towards pergolas to enjoy a perfect, adaptable, and elegant space between indoors and outdoors.

Frequently asked questions

How to protect yourself from the sun on the terrace? Answers to your questions on the subject.

Can you combine several types of sun protection?

It is possible to place a parasol as an extension of an awning, but concretely, the miracle solution comes from the pergola and its accessories. With the adjustable louvres of a bioclimatic pergola and furnishing accessories, the pergola becomes a structure that meets all your needs.

What is the average lifespan of terrace sun protection?

Due to UV rays and plastic or wooden components, awnings, parasols and gazebos tend to wear out quickly. This is not the case with an aluminium pergola, designed and built to last for many decades.

Are there sun protection options suitable for strong wind gusts?

Once again, the pergola captures all the advantages when facing harsh weather conditions. Where wind will force you to put away gazebos and awnings, the aluminium pergola stands out for its sturdiness and resilience.

What budget should you plan for quality sun protection?

While you should never forget sunscreen in the sun, it's also a smart idea to invest in a physical installation at home! At CliKIT, the custom aluminium pergola in kit form starts at around €1,500 including VAT.

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Olivier Regnier

About the author

Olivier Regnier

LinkedIn iconView profile Founder & Commercial Director of CliKIT, my goal has always been to make outdoor and indoor living spaces accessible to everyone, without ever compromising on quality. Every project is unique, and I take pleasure in guiding our customers to find the solution that truly suits them.

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