When selecting the right shade structure for your property, there is more to it than choosing an aesthetically appealing design. The shade structure color you choose can greatly affect the cooling effect it provides you with on hot summer days, for example. For a custom consultation, feel free to contact Smart Shade Structures to discuss your needs. For now, here’s a general guide on the relationship between color and comfort!
Color and Heat Absorption
The science of color and temperature is very simple: dark-colored substances absorb more heat from the sun, while light-colored substances reflect it. When sun rays touch a surface, the level to which it absorbs heat is greatly dependent on the color’s capability to either absorb or reflect different light spectrums. This directly relates to the comfort level you can enjoy in the area underneath your shade structure. Many homeowners wonder what color shade structure is the coolest, and the answer lies in the science of color and heat absorption.
Darker shades such as black, blue, or dark brown can absorb as much as 90% of solar ray intensity, thereby turning it to heat. What it means is that if you opt to cover your awning or pergola with dark shades, not only would it be very hot to touch, but it would likely heat the shaded area as well.
Best Cool Colors for Shade Structures
White remains the coolest choice for shade coverings. White has the property of reflecting almost every wavelength of the sun’s rays. So, it absorbs less heat and provides the maximum cooling effect. Owners of a property concerned with temperature control prefer lighter awnings and pergolas to provide the maximum comfort level outdoors. Undoubtedly, white is often considered the best color for a shade structure when it comes to staying cool.
Light gray provides a good middle man between cooling comfort and color flexibility, and light gray has the best compromise between solar reflective capability and simulating clean appearance even with dirt accumulation, in contrast to white.
Pale blue and soft green are other shades of paint that work well in hot and sunny areas around the house. The shades work well because they reflect lots of heat while adding color to the house at the same time. Light blue is a cool shade for a shade structure in terms of effect, keeping your space comfortable during hot days.
Cream and off-white colors offer almost the same cooling effect as white does, while providing an aesthetically pleasing effect that most owners prefer to see in a property they own.
For property owners who would love to have something unique in terms of aesthetics, custom effects such as wood grain patterns can be used on lighter base colors to give them the effect of natural materials with the cooling effect associated with light-colored surfaces. Talk to our friendly team to learn more.
Other Factors to Consider
While color has a considerable effect on temperature, other variables in the structure can affect the cooling efficiency of your shade structure. Good venting facilitates the escape of hot air rather than getting it stuck underneath the structure. Open-slat pergolas and awnings with venting mechanisms can help to improve cooling efficiency.
The height of your shade structure also impacts the air circulation. When shade structures are higher, there is better air circulation underneath them, and it can help to remove any heat that might be absorbed. Also, the positioning of the shade structure might affect direct sunlight on the shade material. This is essential for anyone hoping to stay cool in the shade of a structure during peak temperatures.
The quality of the material itself has importance beyond color. High-quality fabrics used in outdoor settings can include features such as heat resistance and UV protection to improve cooling, regardless of the color chosen.
The Right Choice For Your Property
The final choice of the coolest color for your shade structure is to strike a balance between cooling requirements and personal preferences and needs. While white and light shades always offer the best cooling effect, careful planning and implementation can assist in obtaining comfort even with different shades.
Think about the climate in your area, the uses you plan for the shade structure, and how you can best integrate the color with the existing architectural features of your property. We can also consider your property and provide tailored advice for the best outdoor experience, so why not reach out to Smart Shade Structures today?