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Cool deck time fun in the summer sun: 3 tips to beat the heat
During the winter months, many people
eagerly anticipate the sunny days of
summer. But, when summer rolls around,
these same people are oft en busy looking
for ways to cool off .
Getting outside on the deck or porch
is an ideal way to relax and escape stifl
ing indoor heat for many Americans.
To make sure your outdoor living retreat
is a cool oasis, consider these three tips to
beat the heat:
1. Create stylish shade
While an umbrella or a roll-up sunshade
provides a fast and easy way to
block direct sun, they can quickly fade or
become a dingy eyesore. A stylish alternative
is to cast refreshing shade with a
gazebo or arbor. With either option, you
also can create a lush and fragrant grotto
using climbing vines such as roses, clematis,
wisteria or honeysuckle.
For a weekend do-it-yourself project,
look for gazebo and arbor plans on popular
social media sites like Pinterest or
Houzz. If you prefer to have someone
else do the work, many deck builders
will complete the project for you without
breaking the bank.
2. Spritz yourself with a mister
Sunbelt residents and visitors are familiar
with outdoor cooling misters installed
at popular outdoor cafes, theme parks
and other places people gather on hot
days. Now, homeowners throughout the
U.S. are installing these systems on their
decks or porches. Th e ultrafi ne droplets
of water created by these systems can cool
the air as much as 35 degrees. In addition
to providing cool and refreshing moisture
on hot summer days, some manufacturers
report the systems help repel fl ying
insects and clear the air of smoke and pollen.
Easy-to-install misters are available
online or from your local home improvement
store, starting at under $100.
3. Don’t forget the deck surface
Many deck surfaces become uncomfortably
hot in direct sun. Th e problem is especially
acute for dark-colored deck boards,
which absorb heat throughout the day,
as well as some dense composite boards
that hold heat. As a result, rather than a
comfortable stroll to your favorite chair,
you might end up hot-footing it across a
scorching deck. An overly hot deck is especially
problematic for young children and
pets, whose feet are more heat sensitive.
“Many people tell us they love the beauty
and durability of their composite deck, but not
the heat,” says Brent Gwatney, vice president
of MoistureShield decking. His company has
developed a solution they call CoolDeck(R)
technology. Th e boards are engineered to
absorb up to 35 percent less heat than other
composites in similar colors, for a noticeably
lower surface temperature in direct sun.
Whether you’re building a new deck
or upgrading an existing one, these three
ways to beat the heat will provide you
with a cool and relaxing outdoor spot
to snooze, cook or entertain friends and
family, even on the hottest summer days.
Courtesy BPT
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