The Durable Material That Can Provide Shade For Your Sunny Backyard

With summer, comes bright, sunny days sitting outside. But anyone who lives somewhere with little to no tree coverage can tell you that there's a downside to too much sun. Not only can that extra sunshine turn your outdoor space unbearably hot, but it can also cause glares on screens when you're trying to spend a work-from-home day outside. The solution is simple: Create more shade in your patio or deck. There are plenty of ways to do this, from planting fast-growing shade trees to building tall privacy fences. On the other hand, though, you can opt for a more durable, long-standing option — an awning made with corrugated aluminum.

Many people have jumped on the bandwagon of using reed mats to add shade to a patio, but this earthy look doesn't fit everyone's sense of style. If it doesn't align with your taste, then consider corrugated aluminum. This durable option is simple to install over a wood structure, provides instant shade, and has a unique look that will impress guests. Corrugated aluminum is often used as roofing material because it's long lasting, rust resistant, and lightweight, so it's a perfect fit for this purpose. Plus, if you ever decide you want a new look, the aluminum sheets can easily be reused and upcycled for other projects.

Corrugated aluminum has a minimalist style that looks great with any type of decor, especially industrial or modern spaces. There is also a variety of panel colors, so you're not limited to the typical silver-gray. Plus, you can decorate the aluminum spray paint. However, while you might be able to find corrugated metal panels at your local hardware store or online, they likely won't be aluminum panels. This type of metal sheet is not widely available for a DIYer to grab and are typically manufactured for professionals or commercial businesses. 

Your best option is to contact a local contractor to ensure you're getting the real deal. From there, you can see if they'll sell the individual corrugated metal panels for you to build a backyard awning yourself. This option allows you to customize the panels to your space. Plus, it can be more cost effective. Better yet, a local contractor can install the entire structure so your aluminum shade has an expert touch. This is best if you don't already have framing in place, like a pergola that just needs a few panels to give it an aluminum roof. Then you can enjoy a shady backyard for years to come!