Having adequate shade around your home can greatly reduce your need to switch on your air conditioning during summer, saving electricity and helping you to save money. You can add shade to your home by planting plenty of shade trees, adding structures like pergolas or verandas and hanging roller blinds on your windows.
Increase your property’s value
Adding any sort of fixed structures to your home will increase the value of your property, as will planting a garden. Structures you might want to build to increase the shade around your home can include retractable awnings, verandas around your home or even building a pergola in the garden. Any sort of landscaping will increase the value of your property but remember that it will take time to become established so if you have just built a home on a vacant block one of the first things you should do is get your garden started. Larger shady trees will take a while to grow, but there are many different varieties that are faster growing so ask at your local nursery for help.
Reduce the need for air conditioning
Shading your home can significantly reduce your need to switch on your air conditioner. With continual increases in the cost of electricity it is worth looking at trying other ways to cool your home. By planting shade trees on the northern and western sides of your property you will shade your home from the sun when it is at its hottest. By having awnings or a veranda around your house you will shade your windows and reduce the amount of heat coming in. Having roller blinds or curtains will also help reduce your need for air conditioning. Keep them down during the day in summer and you will notice that your home stays cooler for longer.
Improve the look of your home
Adding a veranda or pergola to your home, as well installing good quality roller blinds, will add shade to your property and will also improve the look of your home,. You can even buy roller blinds that close automatically at the flick of a switch. A garden does wonders for the look of a property and maintaining it is a good way to get outside and enjoy the fresh air.
Make better use of the outdoors
By creating shaded areas outdoors you will find that you will use your outdoor area a lot more. Create a whole new entertainment area by putting in retractable awnings or a veranda. It is much nicer to sit outside if you have a shaded area and you will find that you make better use of the space. Have the area paved or build decking, and no garden is complete without a good barbecue. If you have a shady garden you may even be tempted to take some time out and relax on a comfortable outdoor chair with a good book.
Protection from the sun
The sun can do a lot of damage to your home, and even your furniture inside if the sun comes in through the window. Paint can fade and you will notice curtains and the fabric on your furniture will gradually change colour too. Heavy backed curtains and roller blinds can protect your furniture from the sun’s harsh rays, and by planting trees around your home you can limit the sun that can fade any paint work.