Sweating through another sweltering summer on your patio? The stifling heat can make enjoying your outdoor space almost unbearable. But before you throw in the towel and retreat indoors to the comfort of air conditioning, there are a few simple DIY solutions you can try to transform your patio into a cool oasis. Adding these cooling features to your patio can make your outdoor shade feel about 15 degrees cooler.
In this article, we’ll show you three easy ways to beat the heat on your patio so you can stay outside all summer long. Get ready to chill out!
Why You Should Add Cooling Features to Your Patio Roof
Spending time on your patio during the warmer months is one of life’s simple pleasures. Unfortunately, intense heat and blinding sun can quickly turn your patio into an unbearable sauna. The solution? Adding cooling features to your patio roof.
There are a few options for bringing the temperature down and improving comfort on your patio. An outdoor ceiling fan is an easy way to keep air circulating and create a cooling breeze. For more powerful cooling, consider installing misters that spray a fine mist of water over the patio. The water evaporates and lowers the surrounding air temperature.
No matter which options you choose, cooling additions can help drop the temperature on your patio by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space longer into the warm summer evenings. Make the most of the nice weather and extend patio season – your friends and family will thank you!
New Patio Roof Technology
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If your home came with one of the old, ribbed tin-roofed patio, trying to keep it cooler can be an uphill battle. If you’re sick of running extension chords to several pedestal fans that just make your patio a tripping hazard, it may be time to upgrade.
You shouldn’t feel the need to avoid using your patio on warmer days, because it’s there so you can enjoy the outdoors when you don’t want to be in the sun. Modern patio roof technology has come a long way and keeps the space underneath more regulated no matter the weather.
SEQ Patio Group can remove your old, dated patio and install a brand new patio, fitted with power and advanced cooling options like ceiling fans, flyover designs and privacy screens.
Installing Outdoor Ceiling Fans for Air Circulation
Installing outdoor ceiling fans is one of the easiest ways to keep your patio comfortable on hot summer days.
Legalities
If you’re considering installing a ceiling fan to your patio roof, or plan on building a new patio that comes with one pre-installed, you will need a ceiling height of at least 2.1m from the floor. Just to be safe it’s recommended that you have atleast 2.4m of headroom to comfortably have a fan spinning above.
Note – Ceiling fans can only be installed on insulated patio roof panels.
Mounting Fans
Mount the fans in strategic spots where people gather, like over dining or lounging areas. For maximum cooling, place the fans so their airflow overlaps.
Blade Direction
In warm weather, set the fans to spin counterclockwise at a higher speed. This creates cooling downdrafts. You can adjust the fans to spin clockwise at a lower speed in the evening, which will have a gentle uplifting effect to prevent chill.
Fan Features
Look for fans with weather-resistant blades and housing, and consider those with lighting for ambience. Some high-performance outdoor fans have six blades instead of the standard four for increased power. Remote controls allow you to turn the fans on and off and change the speed from wherever you are on the patio.
Timer Options
If you plan to use the fans mainly in the evenings, installing a timer lets you set them to turn on automatically at a certain time. That way, you can come home to a cool, breezy patio without having to go out and turn everything on.
Add a Mist System for a Cooling Effect
A misting system is an easy way to add cooling to your patio roof. As the misters spray a fine mist of water into the air, the water evaporates and creates a cooling effect.
Install misters along the edge of your roof.
Place misters along the edge of your patio roof so the mist can drift down over the area. You can find misting kits that come with everything you need to install a basic system, including misting nozzles, tubing, and a pump. For a larger patio, you may need additional nozzles and a more powerful pump. Connect the nozzles to the tubing and pump, then instal the hardware along the edge of your roof.
Use a timer to control the misting schedule.
Add a timer to your misting system so you can customise when the misters activate. For the most cooling effect, set the timer to spray mist for 5-10 minutes every 30 minutes or so when you’re outside. The timer will ensure the misters don’t run constantly, which could lead to excess moisture buildup. You can also get timers that allow you to set different schedules for different days of the week.
Insulated Patio Roofing
One of the most effective ways to keep your patio cool in hot weather is by installing an insulated roof. Insulation works by trapping air pockets that prevent heat transfer.
Patio Covers
Installing a solid patio cover provides shade while still allowing some natural light to filter through. SEQ Patio Group are Stratco-authorised dealers, which means we utilise 100% Aussie-designed and manufactured products to give you the most comfortable living experience.
Steer Away from Metal Furniture
Metal patio furniture may look sleek, but in hot weather, it’s not ideal for comfort. Metal absorbs and retains heat, so on a sweltering summer day, your metal chairs and tables can feel like a frying pan. To keep cool on your patio, steer clear of metal and opt for these alternative materials:
Wicker or rattan: Natural fibres like wicker and rattan allow for airflow and won’t get hot to the touch. Look for all-weather wicker that is treated to withstand the elements. Wicker furniture with cushions is especially comfortable and cooling.
Wood: Certain hardwoods like teak, eucalyptus, and shorea are excellent for outdoor use and stay relatively cool in hot weather. Softwoods tend to weather and warp more easily. Wood is a natural insulator and helps prevent heat transfer to the surface.
Plastic or resin: High-quality plastics and resins are durable, low-maintenance, and heat-resistant.
Fabric: If you want cushions on your patio seats, choose a performance fabric like Sunbrella that is breathable, UV-resistant and designed for outdoor use. Mesh fabrics are especially cooling, as they are woven to allow maximum airflow.
Choosing Light Colours
Choosing light reflective colours for your patio roof and also furniture options and building facade coverings, is an easy way to help beat the summer heat. Light colours like white or off-white absorb less of the sun’s rays, reducing heat buildup underneath. This helps keep your patio comfortably cool on even the hottest days.
White or Off-White: An all-white or off-white shade is your best option for maximum heat reflection. These pale hues reflect nearly all of the sunlight that hits them. Off-white provides a slightly warmer tone if bright white seems too stark.
Light Greys: Light grey paint colours also reflect quite a bit of sunlight and heat, though slightly less than white. Pale grey shades like mist, haze or smoke can provide an airy, open feel while still keeping things reasonably cool underneath. These light greys work well if you want to avoid the brightness of white but still maximise heat reflection.
Pastel Colours: Soft pastel colours like pale blue, green or yellow reflect more heat than darker hues and provide subtle colour if white seems too plain. Just be sure to choose a lighter, more washed-out shade. These pale pastel colours reflect enough sunlight to provide some cooling benefits, though not quite as much as white or light grey.
