Shade Options:

Natural or Built

Shade is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of overexposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Shade alone can reduce overall exposure to UV radiation by about 75%.

When planning for shade, you have essentially two options:

Natural Shade
Built Shade

photo courtesy of Exposure: Buffalo Photography

No one shade design will meet all needs and suits all situations. Careful planning ensures that the best type of shade is to be used. Which option you choose will depend upon a number of factors:

Where shade is needed
When shade is needed
Duration of expected use, permanent or temporary
What activities will take place under the shade, i.e. the size of shade
Funds available for providing shade

See our Shade Planning pages for details on planning for shade. For Discussions on types of shade visit Natural Shade and Built Shade Pages.

Plant Trees, Build Shade for Your Health and the Environment