BACKYARDS: The Environmental Benefits of Adding Shade Structures to Your Home

If you’re considering getting an awning, pergola, or maybe one of those cool canopies for your backyard there’s one more benefit that you probably never considered. Most people do it for the obvious reasons, staying cool, looking good, having a nice spot to hang out. But another really nice bonus of these patio covers is they are actually doing some serious good for the environment too.

Who would’ve thought that while you’re sitting there enjoying your shaded patio, you’re actually helping fight climate change and reducing your carbon footprint.  It’s one of those win-win situations where you get something awesome for your home and the planet gets a little help, too. No wonder so many people are investing in patio covers these days.

Lower Energy Consumption and Cooling Costs

Your air conditioner is probably working overtime in the summer, and you’re wondering if you should just move somewhere cooler. But the good news is that a patio cover is like having a super smart cooling system that doesn’t cost you a penny to run.

When you block all that blazing sun before it even gets to your house, your place stays way more comfortable without having to crank the AC like crazy. And we’re not talking about saving a few bucks here. Some studies show you can slash your cooling costs by up to 25% just by adding exterior shading. That’s real money back in your pocket every single month.

But here’s what’s really cool about it. Every time your AC doesn’t have to kick on because your house is naturally cooler, you’re reducing the demand on the power grid. Less demand means less energy production, which means fewer emissions getting pumped into the atmosphere. It’s like this awesome domino effect of good stuff happening.

Protecting Outdoor and Indoor Materials

Have you ever bought a really nice outdoor dining set and then watched it turn into this sad, faded mess after just two summers? Or noticed how the carpet near your big sliding door gets all bleached out and gross looking? That’s the sun basically destroying your stuff with UV rays, and it’s costing you way more than you probably realize.

When you add patio covers, you’re putting up this protective shield against all that damage. Your outdoor furniture won’t fade as fast, your deck won’t need restaining every other year, and even the stuff inside your house near windows will last way longer.

Here’s the environmental part that’ll blow your mind. When your stuff lasts longer, you’re not constantly throwing things away and buying new ones. Less junk in landfills, fewer resources getting used to make replacements, and way less manufacturing pollution. Your pergola is literally helping reduce waste just by hanging out there doing its thing.

Reducing Urban Heat Island Effect

Ever wonder why cities feel like you’re walking around inside an oven compared to the countryside? It’s because all that concrete, asphalt, and buildings are basically giant heat sponges. They soak up heat all day and then blast it back out at you. Scientists call it the urban heat island effect, and it’s why downtown areas can be 5 to 10 degrees hotter than the areas around them.

But here’s where your shade structure becomes this neighborhood superhero. Every time you block sunlight from hitting those heat-absorbing surfaces around your home, you’re keeping things cooler. Your driveway, your patio, even your roof. They all stay way cooler when they’re getting some shade.

Now picture this. What if half the houses on your street did this? The whole area would be noticeably cooler, and everyone would need way less air conditioning. It’s like each shade structure is doing its part to make the whole community more comfortable and way more environmentally friendly.

Supporting Sustainable Building Practices

The stuff they’re making shade structures out of these days is pretty incredible from an environmental standpoint. You can get pergolas made from recycled aluminum, awnings from sustainable fabrics, and wooden structures from forests that are managed responsibly.

Even better, a lot of these materials can be recycled again when they eventually reach the end of their life. So you’re not just buying something that helps the environment while you’re using it. You’re buying something that won’t create a bunch of waste when you’re finally done with it years down the road.

And if you’re one of those people working toward green building certifications, shade structures can actually help you rack up points toward things like LEED certification. They count as energy-saving and site sustainability improvements, which is pretty awesome.

Promoting Outdoor Living and Reduced Indoor Use

This might sound a little weird, but making your outdoor space more comfortable actually helps the environment in ways you’d never expect. When you’ve got this nice shaded area to chill in, you end up spending way more time outside instead of inside with all the lights, TV, and air conditioning cranking.

Those summer evenings when you’re hanging out on your shaded patio instead of inside binge-watching Netflix? You’re using way less electricity without even thinking about it. All those little moments add up to some serious energy savings over time.

Plus, there’s something really nice about being more connected to the outdoors and natural temperature changes. When you’re spending more time outside, you tend to be way more aware of the environment and make better choices overall. It’s like this cool side effect of just enjoying your outdoor space more.

A Small Change with Big Impacts

Here’s what makes shade structures such a brilliant environmental choice. They’re basically a one-time investment that keeps paying these environmental dividends for decades. A well-built pergola or quality awning can last 20 to 30 years with hardly any maintenance.

Compare that to other home improvements that need constant updates or replacements. Your shade structure just sits there, quietly saving energy, protecting your stuff, and keeping things cooler year after year after year. The environmental benefits just keep piling up.

In a world where we’re all looking for ways to help the environment without making huge sacrifices, shade structures are pretty much a complete no-brainer. So go ahead, treat yourself to that shaded outdoor space you’ve been wanting. Trust me, the planet will thank you for it.