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Offset Umbrella
An offset umbrella is held aloft by a freestanding pole on one end rather than in the middle. Offset umbrellas can spread 10 to 13 feet, perfect for sheltering large outdoor areas as well as protecting sectional seating from the sun. Some offset umbrellas have an adjustable cantilever and crank feature to better direct shade.
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Shade Sail
Like the name suggests, these shade products look like sails and are held in place with cables fastened to grommets with locking clips. Square, triangular or rectangular in shape, shade sails have a span of up to 20 feet, so they’re the shade solution when you need to cover a large area. If your patio or deck is small, a modest-sized shade sail is an inexpensive option.
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Outdoor Curtains
Outdoor curtains can be as practical as they are decorative. Besides creating shade, they also offer something extra: privacy when the curtains are drawn. Often used along the sides of porches, curtains can also be used on decks if there’s a top frame to hang them from. Made of durable outdoor fabric, they are easy to maintain.
They do have one drawback: Although they block early morning and late afternoon rays, they aren’t much help when the sun is higher in the sky. For another idea to keep out the sun, consider a lanai.
