A Patio Cover Solves the Heat Above... But What About the Setting Sun?

A covered patio can completely change the way a family enjoys its backyard.

It provides dependable shade during the hottest part of the day, protects outdoor furniture and creates a comfortable place to relax, entertain and enjoy the view. However, depending on the direction a home faces, there may still be one challenge that becomes especially noticeable later in the day:

The setting sun.

We recently completed a custom cathedral patio cover on a beautiful waterfront property in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. The new structure provides generous overhead shade and creates an impressive outdoor living area overlooking the lagoon.

During the day, the homeowners can comfortably enjoy the patio beneath the covered roof. But as the sun begins to lower, strong sunlight enters through the open side of the structure and shines directly into the seating area.

The solution is not to close off the view.

It is to add flexible protection exactly where it is needed.

Why a Patio Cover Does Not Block Every Angle of Sun

A patio cover is primarily designed to protect the space from overhead sunlight and rain. During midday, when the sun is higher in the sky, the roof provides substantial shade.

In the late afternoon and evening, the sun sits much lower. Depending on the orientation of the property, sunlight can enter beneath the roofline and travel directly across the patio.

This is especially common on open waterfront properties, where there may be fewer mature trees, neighboring homes or landscape features to naturally filter the sunlight.

For these Point Pleasant homeowners, the cathedral patio cover was doing exactly what it was designed to do. They simply needed an additional layer of protection for the hours when the sun moved beyond the coverage of the roof.

Retractable Screens Provide Sun Protection Without Sacrificing the View

We are now adding retractable screens to the patio cover to help manage the intense evening sun.

Unlike permanent walls or fixed shades, retractable screens give homeowners the ability to adjust the space throughout the day.

When the sun becomes uncomfortable, the screens can be lowered to provide added shade and reduce glare. When the sun moves or the homeowners want a completely open view of the lagoon, the screens can be retracted.

This flexibility makes them an excellent addition to waterfront homes, pool areas, outdoor kitchens and other properties where preserving the view is just as important as creating comfort.

Depending on the screen material and design, retractable screens may also help provide:

• Additional sun and glare protection

• Greater privacy when desired

• Protection from insects

• Improved comfort during outdoor dining

• A more usable space during different times of day

• Protection for outdoor furnishings and televisions

The goal is not to permanently enclose the patio. It is to give the homeowners more control over how the space feels and functions.

The Best Outdoor Spaces Use Layers of Protection

There is rarely one product that solves every outdoor comfort issue.

A thoughtfully designed outdoor living area often combines several elements:

A patio cover protects from overhead sun and rain.

Retractable screens help manage low-angle sunlight, glare and insects.

A ceiling fan keeps air moving during warmer weather.

Lighting allows the space to remain useful after sunset.

Together, these features create an outdoor space that can adapt as the weather, sunlight and homeowners’ needs change throughout the day.

This layered approach is especially important in New Jersey, where conditions can shift quickly and the direction of the sun changes significantly from season to season.

Plan for How the Sun Moves Across Your Property

When planning a patio cover, pergola, sunroom or screen room, homeowners often focus on the size and appearance of the structure.

Those details are important, but the position of the sun should also be part of the design conversation.

Before choosing an outdoor living solution, consider:

• Which direction does the patio face?

• When is the space currently hottest?

• Does the afternoon sun shine directly toward the seating area?

• Is preserving a water, pool or garden view important?

• Will the space be used primarily during the day or in the evening?

• Would permanent shade feel too restrictive?

Understanding how sunlight travels across the property helps determine whether a patio cover alone will provide enough protection or whether retractable screens, adjustable louvers or another flexible shade solution should be included.

Designed Specifically for the Home

Every property responds differently to sunlight, weather and its surroundings.

A solution that works beautifully on one home may not be right for another. That is why Chamber Home Designs creates outdoor living spaces around the architecture, layout and specific conditions of each property.

For this waterfront Point Pleasant home, the cathedral patio cover created the foundation: a substantial, beautifully designed space with dependable overhead shade.

The retractable screens will complete the experience by providing added protection from the intense setting sun—without taking away the open-air feeling or waterfront view.

If your patio becomes too hot, too bright or uncomfortable during certain parts of the day, you may not need to abandon the space or permanently enclose it. A thoughtfully designed shade solution can help you enjoy it more often.

Chamber Home Designs specializes in custom patio covers, operable pergolas, retractable screens, sunrooms, screen rooms and outdoor kitchens throughout Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer counties.

Schedule a complimentary design consultation and discover how your outdoor space can be designed around your home, your view and the way you want to live.