If you’re one of the lucky ones living in an area that gets a lot of sunshine, you’re probably quite familiar with all the benefits that living in such an environment brings. Chances are you spend much more time outdoors are probably more active than someone living in a region with a lot of rain and snow.
However, the sun can be very dangerous, as you probably know all too well. Its harmful UV rays are the cause of many serious problems, usually related to skin, which means you have to be extremely careful and take protection seriously. Sunscreens and hats are great, but they are often not enough, especially if you wish to spend a lot of time in your backyard. So, what other forms of protection for you and your family do you need?
Treetops
Logically, the more trees you have, the more shade you get. This natural way of protection is great, not only because it provides shade, but it can also serve as a form of protection from winds. It goes without saying that the air is much fresher and better if you’re surrounded with trees. Still, they have their limitations.
If a tree is not native to your region, you might be disappointed with the result and it might not look anything like the image you have seen when you googled the particular type of tree. Also, even if you’ve planted the right tree, it usually takes years to fully grow and provide the kind of protection you need. Evergreen trees are a good option if your region boasts big differences in temperature between seasons, but they too usually take quite a while before they start protecting you from UV rays.
Various shade structures
When choosing a shade structure, you need to be very careful when it comes to the material you’re going to use. Tiles, wood, metal and brick can provide 100% protection from sun rays, which is why many people choose to build patio roofs or have a gazebo installed in their backyard, but this largely depends on the size of your backyard.
The bigger the backyard, the more options you have, but you shouldn’t even contemplate the idea to cover it completely, because you’d lose the feeling of having a lot of space. One solution could be awnings or sheet linen, used to create secluded pavilions, but the material they are usually made of, cloth, is not great at keeping UV rays at bay. Choosing a dark colour, such as black, is another very bad idea since it only makes the air underneath hotter.
Another fine solution is the high performance cantilever umbrella, made from marine grade aluminium for longevity, boasting an elegant and simple-to-operate tilt system.
There are also canopies, which look like gazebos, but are mobile. The problem with them is that they don’t provide such great protection as the sun moves on the horizon, unless you have some kind of side-shading option.
Skin protection
Even if you have trees and/or shade structures, you’ll be exposed to direct sunlight while moving between your house and the protected area. That’s why it’s vital that you apply good sun organic protection cream at all times. The rule is that the higher the SPF, the better you’re protected, but doesn’t mean you have to go for the most expensive option out there. A decent cream offering around 97% protection from UV rays is sufficient, if you combine it with light white-linen long-sleeved shirt, a sunhat and a pair of quality sunglasses.
As you can see, there are quite a few options to enjoy sun and wonderful weather in your backyard, but you really need to be cautious. If you provide the right kind of protection, you’ll be able to enjoy the sun and have a lot of fun with your family and friends, which is another benefit that living in a warm climate can offer.
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