#BeatTheHeatIn4Words: Enhance Your Outdoor Terrace

Today marks the first official day of Summer…

And that means it’s time to dust off the grill and crack open a bottle of your favorite Margarita mix! But before you call your friends and family for a much-needed Summer soiree, make sure your outdoor terrace is ready to take on the heat…

We thought it would be appropriate to contribute to the #BeatTheHeatIn4Words trend and put our own ShadeFLA twist to it…so here you go: Enhance Your Outdoor Terrace! (4 words that will actually help you beat the heat this Summer!)

Designing outdoor spaces is what we do best here at ShadeFLA, and we want to help you transform your backyard into the outdoor terrace of your dreams. With a few design tips and some simple suggestions, you’ll be ready to host a flawless Summer gathering that’s sure to impress.

Decking

ShadeFLA loves to work with Ipe wood, one of the densest hardwoods available. It’s truly unbelievable how we’ve seen this wood decking transform an outdoor space!

Also called Brazilian walnut, Ipe wood is 8 times harder than California Redwood and can last up to 20 years without preservatives. Not only does this hardwood repel insects, heat and decay, it also offers the ultimate in durability and aesthetic appeal for pool decks and backyards.

ShadeFLA can also recommend other types of wood decking depending on your outdoor terrace needs.

Wood Cladding

Wood cladding is a contemporary wood finish to exterior walls. We love this design accent so much we even installed it in our office! This popular product will give your walls a trendy yet cozy look that can only be achieved through the use of natural wood. The best part is that you can add wood cladding to all your outdoor walls or just one! 

But if you’re still wondering if wood cladding really is worth it… here are some pros from Homebuilding & Renovating to help you decide if wood cladding is a suitable option for you:

– Widely available: Natural wood can be bought, cut and installed on the same day. It is an easy material to work with and anyone with the right skills can properly install it.

– Replaceable: Easier and less expensive to replace than other exterior materials. In terms of color and texture matching, you can easily fix and replace a particular section of the cladding.

– Customizable: Since wood looks great painted or with stains, it is highly customizable and provides plenty of design opportunities. 

– Sustainable: Wood is biodegradable, requires less energy to be produced and is ultimately renewable. 

Misting Fans

What better way to #BeatTheHeat than to add some refreshing misting fans to your backyard? Now, we know what you’re thinking…

The biggest concern some clients have in terms of adding misting fans to their backyards is that their sleek blowout will turn into a frizzy mess, but hear us out.

If you get the right system, the water droplets will be so fine that they’ll evaporate before they even touch your hair! The cooling systems force water through a special nozzle, instantly producing a cloud of very fine droplets. Cooling takes place when the moisture absorbs the heat and vaporizes. Depending on the misting system pressure, the outdoor temperature and relative humidity, temperatures can be reduced to up to 30F.

Another concern some clients express when shopping for misting fans is that the systems will look bulky and outdated. Here are pictures to prove that not all misting fans are bulky and that they can be designed to match the style of your outdoor terrace:

And if you want something a little more modern:

LED Lights

Nothing says party quite like LED lights! These design accents are perfect for Summer gatherings and outdoor events. With so many colors and options to choose from, you can have a lot of fun with LED lights. Here are some examples of all the different things you can do:

Furniture

Now that the hard part is over in terms of design and lighting, it’s time to finish up the re-design of your outdoor terrace with some great furniture. After all, you can’t have a memorable Summer party if your guests don’t have anywhere to sit! Here are some ideas of furniture that will make your backyard a little cozier and a lot sleeker.

Accessories

Time to accessorize! It’s finally time to add the finishing touches! By now, your outdoor terrace has come to life and now it’s just a matter of time before your family and friends arrive for that much-needed Summer soiree. Here are some final decorating tips that will complete your outdoor renovation:

1. Candles: Real or battery-operated, candles are great for setting the mood and making your backyard a lot cozier. 
2. Plants: “Greenery brings beauty, character, texture and good energy into every space.”                                    
3. A cool hammock (or two)                                                                                                                               
4. Floating light globes                                                                                                                                                             
5. Fire Pit                                                                                                                                                                                            
6. Small Fountain                                                                                                                                                                                  

Time to call your friends & family! We’re officially done designing your new and improved outdoor terrace. We hope these design suggestions help you beat the heat this Summer!

Remember to #StayShaded