Make your own shade

Getting too much sun can happen when you least expect it. You could be sitting in your backyard, gardening or watching your kids playing. You can still be exposed to UV rays even if there are scattered clouds overhead.

Trees and hedges provide excellent shade around your house. How much shade will depend on the how thick the leaves grow.

Planting deciduous trees that are native to Canada will provide excellent sun protection during the summer months. As the trees grow, they provide large thick coverings of leaves that will block UV rays. Think about planting:

poplar
maple
willow
cherry
birch
elm

For year-round protection, consider planting coniferous trees like hemlock, pine, spruce, cedar, larch and fir. But remember, these types of trees do not have natural canopies that provide midday shade, like deciduous trees do.

Planting trees

Think about how you use your space to decide which types of trees will grow best and provide you with the shade you need. When planting trees, think about:

the way the sun moves around your home – remember UV rays are strongest between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
the time you spend on the deck or patio
the location of the swimming pool or sandbox

Building your own shade

Structures, like a garden tent, are an easy and cost-effective way to add shade to a garden area. Garden storage or tool sheds can also be placed to give partial shade to a deck or a sandbox. If you have space in your backyard, a gazebo can provide excellent shelter from the sun. Do-it-yourself kits can be bought at hardware stores and garden centres.

Adding a retractable awning or canopy to the side of your house is also an easy way to add shade. This allows you to adjust the protection you want depending on the sun’s location. The colour and thickness of the awning material is important to consider. Thick, tightly woven material in dark colours provides the most effective protection. Awnings can be used year-round, but many are easily removed and stored away during the winter.

Installing a porch roof or backyard patio roof offers a more permanent sun protection solution. Remember to check the sun’s path around your home before building it to make sure the structure will provide effective shade coverage.

Attached structures and awnings can keep your home cooler because the sunlight will not directly hit windows and doors.