Outdoor Entertaining, Tailgaiting

Misting Fans

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Decobreeze Capri Misting Fan

Will Misting Fans Improve the Quality of Outdoor Living and Working?

One of the most popular spots at the zoo or amusement park on hot summer days is not necessarily one of the main attractions. It’s the misting stations that draw in a consistent crowd eager to feel cool and refreshed before moving onto the next wild animal or wild ride. Creating your own personal misting station is much easier, much more pleasant, and much less expensive than spending hot summer days with the family at a pricey zoo or park. The way to accomplish this is with a misting fan.

Misting fans bring together the refreshing mist of water with the cool breeze generated by a fan. This combination cools more effectively than just mist or just a fan alone. In fact, a misting fan can reduce the surrounding air temperature by as much as 30 degrees, making it possible to feel comfortable on your back patio or deck even on the hottest days. Better quality misting fans are able to cool an area 200 square feet or more in size, which makes the misting fan ideal not only for home use, but also for commercial and industrial use. Outdoor cafes, construction sites, and sporting events are just a few of the places where misting fans would be welcomed and appreciated.

When shopping for a misting fan for your home or workplace, there are a couple of features you will want to insist upon having. Most misting fans are mounted on top of a water reservoir, many of which can hold anywhere from 5 to 10 gallons of water. Better misting fans, no matter what the capacity, should be able to run, when starting with a full reservoir, up to 4 or 5 hours long without needing a refill. Additionally, be sure to choose a misting fan that comes with attached, locking wheels or a convenient cart so that it is easy to move and store away.

Optional features are available that can enhance the quality of your misting fan experience. For example, some misting fans have variable speeds, allowing you more control. Another particularly handy feature in a misting fan is a telescoping post that allows the fan to be adjusted easily for height. Also, some fans oscillate to more efficiently distribute the cooling mist in the surrounding area.

No matter what features you choose, having your own misting fan at home or work can significantly improve your level of comfort, even on the hottest of days. Because they provide so much relief from the heat, misting fans at home can help you enjoy your patio or deck more fully, and at work, misting fans can increase your productivity and make working outdoors much more pleasant.

Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

Porch Swings

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Swingbed

Your Favorite Features Help Create Ultimate Relaxation

There’s something about the rhythmic movement of a porch swing that can take us to a satisfying state of relaxation. Perhaps it’s because our own parents rocked and swayed us as infants that we continue to seek out that calming sensation. Whatever the reason, porch swings help us relax and unwind. We can breathe more easily, more deeply. On a porch swing, we can let life slow down enough to enjoy the beauty of the natural world around us. We can listen to and appreciate the music of birds, breeze, and children playing.

Porch swings come in a variety of styles, so choosing the best is simply a matter of choosing the features that you prefer. Does the idea of sharing your porch swing with a friend sound inviting? Then a two-seater is a good choice. Even if you swing solo, swings with two seats give you extra space so you can keep your books and magazines handy.

Additionally, porch swings are made from a number of different materials that you’ll want to consider. Do you like the natural appearance of wood? A wooden porch swing can be stained or painted, if you like, to complement the decor of your home. The best wooden swings are made from durable, weather resistant, and insect resistant woods like Western Red Cedar or Eucalyptus. Hard wooden seats can be softened easily with the addition of a seat cushion and throw pillows made with weather resistant fabrics.

Some homeowners prefer the look of wicker rather than wood; unfortunately, traditional wicker is not weather proof and would not be practical for the outdoors. Luckily, porch swings are available in durable resin wicker. Resin wicker looks just as elegant as traditional wicker, but it is resistant to harsh weather conditions, mildew, and ultra-violet rays. The best quality resin wicker swings are hand-woven and have a steel frame, so rust is never a concern. Many also come with their own seat cushion covered with weather resistant fabric. One of the most attractive qualities about resin wicker furniture is how simple it is to clean. Most dirt can be cleaned off by squirting the resin wicker with a hose and letting it air dry. Tougher dirt requires only mild soap and a soft bristle brush.

If your porch at home is too small or is not able to support a porch swing, or if your home does not have a porch at all, you can still enjoy the gentle sway of a porch swing if you have a swing frame. Porch swing frames are sturdy structures designed to support standard porch swings and the people who enjoy them. You actually have a little more flexibility in terms of location when you use a swing frame because you can choose to put your porch swing in the garden, under a shady tree, or anywhere in the yard. Some homeowners prefer to use a swing frame right on the porch rather than bolting the swing to the porch’s ceiling.

Porch swings, no matter where they are located, are an inviting addition to any home. The gentle back and forth sway helps to settle the mind and lighten the mood; as a result, they quickly become a favorite spot for winding down at the end of a tiring day

Outdoor Living Spaces, Shade Solutions

Awning Alternatives

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Flexy Awning

When Will A Retractable Awning Work For You

Retractable awnings are a popular solution for outdoor shade. Because they can be partially or fully opened and closed, either by hand crank or motor, they allow a homeowner to control the amount of sunlight or shade that a patio, deck, or porch receives throughout a day. Traditional retractable awnings, though, are not ideal for every homeowner or every situation. Luckily, not all are built the same. Two alternatives which often meet the specific needs of many homeowners are Fiesta patio and freestanding awnings.

Fiesta patio awnings are an ideal option for shade when a patio, deck, or porch receives a significant amount of direct sun throughout the day. In a situation like this, retractable awnings are not necessary because homeowners may wish to have their outdoor living area shaded at all times. The Fiesta patio awning is simple and does not retract. Because of this, the Fiesta is supported by its own legs at the front of the canopy, unlike with a retractable awning which has no front support legs. The advantage to support legs is that they take a large portion of the awning’s weight off of your home’s outside wall to which the awning is attached. That weight is then distributed to the support legs. The frame on a Fiesta patio awning is constructed of a rugged and heavy duty galvanized steel tubing for superior strength and durability. Some additional features of a Fiesta include a choice of multiple widths to accommodate just about any size patio, deck, or porch as well as a choice of valance styles.

Another alternative to retractable awnings are freestanding awnings. Freestanding awnings, unlike retractable or Fiesta patio awnings, do not attach to the side of the home. Instead, the awning’s legs are mounted to a deck or sunk into the ground, or they are supported by two freestanding bases. Freestanding awnings are an ideal choice for shade when mounting a structure to the side of a home is not desired or simply not an option. These awnings offer a great deal of flexibility, too, which cannot be matched by awnings that attach to the side of a home. A freestanding awning can provide room-sized shade on the porch, patio, and deck, but also in the garden, by the pool side, or in any sitting area that is situated away from the house. The freestanding awning has the ability to tilt from front to back to provide the best coverage throughout the day as the sun’s position changes in the sky. In addition, the canopy on some freestanding awnings retracts with the help of a patented drawstring. This feature allows homeowners more control over the amount of shade or sun to which they are exposed.

To ensure that Fiesta or freestanding awnings stay in top shape for the duration, they should be protected from heavy snow accumulations. In the case of Fiesta patio awnings, this means taking down the canopy top and storing it away until spring. For the freestanding style, this means closing the canopy and using a protective cover to keep harsh weather out. No matter which type of patio awning is preferred, one feature that every homeowner should insist upon is a high quality, durable, and weather-resistant fabric canopy. A fabric, such as Sunbrella fabric, that blocks a significant amount of ultraviolet rays, is resistant to mildew and fading, and is easy to clean is the best choice and will last for many years.

Overall, when retractable awnings are not a viable or desirable option for providing shade, it’s good to know that there are alternative types of shade that will more than adequately meet the needs of any homeowner.

Outdoor Living Spaces, Shade Solutions

Retractable Awnings

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Retractable Awning

Making the Best Choice for Outdoor Shade

Retractable awnings for decks, porches, and patios offer an ideal solution for outdoor shade. Screened-in enclosures, on the other hand, while they provide much desired protection from sun and many weather conditions, do not offer the kind of flexibility that many homeowners seek. Retractable awnings allow you to choose how much sun exposure or shade you’d like, and adjusting them is usually fast and easy. Knowing a little more about them can help you make the best decision when it’s time to purchase.

Retractable awnings are either manually operated or motorized. One of the more obvious advantages of manually operated awnings is that they require no electricity to operate. If an electrical outlet is not conveniently located near the awning, it doesn’t matter. These awnings come with a hand crank that should allow you to fully open the awning quietly and smoothly in less than a minute. Motorized awnings, on the other hand, come with a specialized motor and remote control which allows you to easily open and close the awning from the comfort of your seat or even from inside your home. They plug into any standard outlet, so a visit from the electrician is not required if an outlet is located close by. The clear advantage of motorized awnings is that they offer convenience, but they may also be a better choice for homeowners who have physical limitations that would prevent them from using a hand crank.

In general, retractable awnings, whether manually operated or motorized, should be able to attach to most types of siding, including wood, masonry, stucco, brick, aluminum, and vinyl. They should also be able to attach to either the outside wall of your home or to an eave or overhang. While retractable awnings can be installed by the handy homeowner, it may be preferable to hire someone with prior experience to complete the installation. This will cost a little more, of course, but the extra cost will most likely save you a significant amount of hassle and frustration.

Also important to consider is the fabric that comes standard with retractable awnings. Insist on only the best quality, durable outdoor fabric with the ability to protect you from damaging UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, awning fabric should be waterproof, resistant to mildew, and easy to clean. Settling for cheaper fabrics initially will inevitably turn out to be a regretable decision because poor quality fabrics tend to fade and wear quickly and are expensive to replace.

Finally, accessories for Sunsetter retractable awnings, while they may not come standard with the awning, should be available to purchase so that you can customize your awning for additional comfort and protection. A wireless wind sensor is one handy accessory to consider for motorized awnings if you happen to live in an area that experiences occasional high winds. The sensor will automatically close the awning if winds become strong enough to potentially damage it. Another helpful accessory is a screen panel that can be attached to the side or front of manually operated or motorized awnings to create even more protection from sun, wind, rain, or other weather conditions. Yet another practical accessory is an awning cover that protects retractable awnings when they are closed and not in use. The cover helps keep awnings clean and free of dirt, cobwebs, leaves, and other debris.

A little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to making significant purchases for your home. Even though retractable awnings offer superior outdoor shade for much less money and effort than a screened-in enclosure, it is still important to take some time to understand the product before buying. Knowing what to look for and what to insist upon in retractable awnings will allow you to make the best possible choice. When a decision is made with care, the choice you make is always the right one.

Beach Accessories, Shade Solutions

Shade Canopies

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Goliath Shade Canopy

Versatile Outdoor Protection

One of the most versatile and useful structures for the outdoors is the shade canopy. Shade canopies, which are often portable, have four sturdy poles and a durable, weather resistant canopy top that provides instant shade in just about any location at any time of day.

Portable shade canopies can go with you anywhere and set up quickly and easily. Many come with their own tote bag, which makes carrying and storing your shade canopy much easier. There is no limit to the number of situations in which these structures can prove useful. Create a shady spot over the sandbox, kiddie pool, or outdoor play area. Enjoy a comfortable, shady picnic at a sunny park or even in the back yard. Protect yourself from the harsh sun during all day garage sales, soccer games, or visits to the beach. Many people prefer to keep a portable shade canopy in the trunk of the car because it comes in handy more often than expected.

Larger, less portable versions of the shade canopy have more permanent uses. For example, there are some that can serve as a spare garage for an extra car or recreational vehicle. They protect your vehicles from a major portion of the direct sunlight that they might otherwise be exposed to throughout a day. They also decrease the amount of snow that can pile up on your vehicle during winter storms. Enclosed shade canopies offer even more protection for your vehicles and belongings because, in addition to the standard canopy top, they have walls to keep out the weather. Enclosed structures can be used for any number of purposes. Create your own outdoor room at home or at the campsite. Use it as an outdoor play space for the kids and their friends. Host an outdoor party, and never worry about rain showers spoiling the fun.

Shade canopies, whether portable or more permanent, provide an inexpensive solution for anyone wishing to create more shade and more protection for people or possessions. They are easy to put up and easy to take down, and their durable construction ensures that they will be able to withstand many years of steady use. No matter how you use them, shade canopy structures keep you covered when it counts.