Which terrace canopy offers the best sun protection?

Terrace roofing should always have a sun protection system included or allow for subsequent, easy installation. A canopy alone only protects against rain and, as with glass constructions, does not offer sufficient sun and UV protection. 

• A terrace roof with sun protection has several advantages: 
• It protects both skin and garden furniture from harmful UV radiation
• It lowers the temperature under the roofing
• It allows for flexibility and expands the living space thanks to enabling year-round use of outdoor areas
• It ensures a pleasant atmosphere for sitting and relaxing

The fastest option for creating shade is the parasol. It is inexpensive, quickly set up and adaptable to the direction of the solar radiation. Awnings, sun sails and rope awnings offer slightly better sun protection. In the form of of side awnings and sun sails, they can also protect against lateral wind.

The most robust are permanent canopies made of glued wood, veneered timber, aluminum, transparent polycarbonate or laminated safety glass. These provide a secure roof over the head and thus make the outdoor area usable even in heavy rain. 

For garden space that needs to be protected, pergolas, carports, mobile or fixed pavilions are ideal. In some cases, online shops offer helpful configurators for terrace canopies or you can ask for advice from customer service.

A freestanding terrace canopy with sun protection is particularly suitable for occasional shading. Traditional parasols and cantilever parasols are inexpensive, can be adapted to the direction of sunlight and are quickly and easily mounted. Even though the area shaded by them is small compared to other sun protection systems, they fulfill their purpose. Due to size, assembly and material, the latter offer 

shade for larger areas as well as wind protection for gusts of up to 55 km/h. Sun

sails are available in all kinds of shapes and colors up to a size of 80 m², with manual or electrical control as well as height adjustment.

Terrace canopies made of wood are fixed and offer good protection from heavy rain. Depending on requirements and expectations, spruce, pine or larch in the form of solid, glue- or wedge-connected wood are the material of choice. Wooden canopies are mostly used for pergolas or freestanding gazebos in the garden, as they are not only robust and offer protection from all weather conditions, but are also, as is the case with STROHBOID gazebos, real eye-catchers.

The most cost-effective, permanently mounted terrace roofing option is made of aluminum. It consists of aluminum that has been powder-coated in a desired RAL colour (it does not always have to be anthracite) and can be used in many ways. While there are ready-to-use kit models with assembly instructions, custom-made designs are available for more creative solutions that go beyond open or closed systems. Aluminum terrace roofs, for example, also allow horizontal or vertical awning profiles.

The question of which is the best sun protection for terraces cannot be answered generically. Depending on expectations, structural requirements/roof construction, terrace roof budget, etc., one or the other option is better. 

These options are available in any case:

• Parasols and sun sails
• Freestanding pergolas or gazebos made of plastic or veneered wood, like the ones offered by STROHBOID
• Awnings: traditionally mounted to the facade or freestanding; vertical/on the side or horizontal
• Fixed terrace roofing made from wood, aluminum or glass
• Conservatory awnings in the form of articulated arm, cassette, vertical and side awnings