Stay Safe and Cool This Summer: Finding the Right Shade Structures for the Playground

When children play outside during the hot summer months, they are often unknowingly exposing themselves to the sun’s harmful UV rays. As a parent, it is your responsibility to protect your children from anything that could harm them. When preparing a backyard for the installation of a play set, you must take steps to make it safe for your child. Incorporating the proper playground surface to break a child’s fall, removing damaging obstacles like tree stumps and roots, and providing shade are all important parts of ensuring your child’s safety. There are many types of shade structures available on the market today, some of which are much better than others.

There are different materials available to shade your backyard play area, including metal poles, canvas awnings, and tightly woven netting. This last option is considered the best option by many who use it for various reasons. The use of shade structures made of netting will not attract the sun as metal roofs do. Steel structures can be more than 15 degrees hotter than netting. Shiny metal surfaces are hard on the eyes as they reflect sunlight much more intensely. The netting absorbs light, thus adding beauty and functionality to a garden set.

Netting is a choice over canvas material shades for a few reasons as well. Canvas has been known to rot or harbor mold growth over time. It can also develop holes more easily and require more frequent replacement. Shade frames made of fabric mesh with stable support beams can withstand wind gusts up to 120 miles per hour and are certified with a Class A fire rating. Available in many colors, you can customize the look of your shade frame of your playground. Unlike canvas materials, shade nets resist fading and won’t sag over time.

When it comes to your child’s safety, make the responsible decision to provide shade structures over your backyard playground. A mesh structure is capable of blocking up to 98% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. Shade structures don’t have to get in the way of your backyard’s beauty. Colored netting is much more attractive than a hard steel roof, and you can choose a color that complements the landscape. Protect your children from harmful UV rays and allow them to play outside at any time of the day. Do your due diligence and make sure the company you choose is the right fit for you.