One of the absolute best things about the summer season is the fact that no matter what time of day it is, you can go onto your patio and just sit and enjoy the weather whether it’s with a book, a glass of iced tea or even with a few friends. However, if there is a potential downside, it’s the fact that if you stay out there too long, the scorching heat can make it a really uncomfortable experience.
That’s why we wanted to take out just a moment to provide you with a few helpful tips on how to cool of your patio in the summer heat in some very eco-friendly ways. If you apply even a couple of these, before you know it, your patio will be your favorite summer hang out—no matter what the temperature.
Put up some porch blinds. A really nice addition that provides a bit of an “outdoor room” feel are porch blinds (or shades). They come in a variety of colors and styles and the best part is that you can find them for a pretty low price at stores like Wal-Mart or Target. (You can also hem some fabric strips made of organic cotton or bamboo and hang them from your patio too.)
Add some tall plants. Something that you can do to add shade, purify the air and also provide some beauty to your porch is to add a few plants to them. Some that are able to withstand the summer temperatures include the Nabob, Azalea, Clematis Macropetala, Lantana Camara and the Humulus Lupulus, just to name a few.
Build a pergola. Out of all of the things that we mentioned, this is the one that is going to be the most expensive because it actually requires that you build something (or have it built for you). But, if you want to go all out and add a roof onto your patio (or deck), you might want to consider building a pergola. Not only will it provide you with tons of the shade that you want but you can also decorate it with energy efficient lighting fixtures or hanging plants once it’s up.
Make your own air-conditioning. A “green” way to keep your energy costs down on
the inside of your house is to upgrade your thermostat to a programmable one. When it comes to finding a way to cool off your porch, did you know that there are actually websites that will walk you through how to make your own air-conditioning? The good news is that most of them require no more than a fan, a coil and some ice water. If you’d like to see an actual video tutorial.
Keep a cooler around. Don’t forget that one of the best ways to keep cool is by staying hydrated. That’s why it’s important to have a cooler out back that is chocked full of bottled water and fruit juice.
