Finding garden shade may not be top of your list of priorities at the beginning of February but it is nevertheless something well worth considering. Although you may not have seen the sun for a number of months that does not mean it is not on the way. There are a fantastic range of options available for people that want to keep themselves sheltered from the scorching summer sun. So here are a number of the options that you should consider.



Gazebo

The gazebo has seen an enormous surge in popularity over the past few years. Part of its appeal is that it is portable and can be set up and taken down easily. It can be used in an enormous range of situations and is especially popular at festivals and events. It is tall enough for people to stand beneath and has no walls so that people can pass freely into and out of the gazebo. It is essentially a canvas roof on legs and alongside the protection from the sun that it offers it also offers rain protection - essential for the British summer.

Table Umbrella

The table umbrella has been the favoured option in pub gardens since the dawn of time - or so it may seem. This staple of the pub garden typically sits in the centre of a big wooden table to which it relies on for support. It then opens and offers both shade and rain protection for the people sat at the table. The obvious weakness of this type of shade is that it is fixed to the table for support and will not shade you if you want to sit elsewhere. It will also not shade you if you want to stand up. However unlike some shades it does offer protection from the rain. So it is a great option if you spend most of time in your garden sat around a table.

Sail Shade

One of the most recent developments in the garden shade industry has been the growth in popularity of the sail shade. Essentially a large piece of canvas cut to a geometric shape the sail shade brings together ancient ideas and modern fabrics to provide a semi-permanent source of shade for an outdoor area.

Initially developed in ancient Greece and Rome sailors would use the sails of their ships and hang them up on sturdy fixing points to keep the sun off. The most notable example of this is when one group used their sail to cover the spectators from the sun in the coliseum. Nowadays the sail shade is renowned for providing a stylish source of shade. The sail shade has been used in corporate areas such as Olympic villages but it is also gaining popularity in an individual's garden. The corners of the fabric are connected to fixed structure such as walls and solid poles and the fabric is pulled taught to provide shade. The fabric is generally permeable and therefore does not protect from the rain. It does nevertheless provide an excellent source of shade for a longer period of time than the other options.

Marquee

Probably the most traditional of all the garden shade options the Marquee is a wonderful option for those that have the combined luxury of a large garden and a lot of money to spend. A marquee is basically a very large tent and unlike the gazebo it typically has canvas walls that are typically left on all the time. It is the best option if you want a semi-indoor space for large meals or celebrations but is likely to be one step too far for most people seeking garden shade.