Shade guide
Poolside shade ideas: drop blinds, awnings and patio ceilings
A pool is only as enjoyable as the shade around it. Too much open paving and nobody stays out for long. Here is how to add cool, usable shade near the water without losing the view or the light.
Poolside shade has one extra rule: it needs to stand up to sun, splash and wind at the same time. That points you towards materials that shrug off the weather and a layout that lets you move shade in and out as the day changes. Here are the options we fit most often around pools.
Drop blinds for low sun and wind
Late-afternoon sun off the water is the shade problem most people underestimate. Drop blinds pull down to block that low glare and cut the wind that can turn a swim short, then roll away when you want the open feel back. They are a good fit for the side of a covered area or a lapa where the sun comes in under the roof.
A fixed cover for the seating area
You do not want to sit in full sun to watch the kids swim. A permanent roof over the loungers or the dining table gives reliable, all-day shade with no setting up. An aluminium fixed IBR cover handles this well, giving full shade and rain cover so the space works even when the weather turns.
Louvre awnings to tune the light
If you want shade you can adjust, a louvre awning lets you open the blades for sun on a cool day and close them when it gets fierce. It suits a poolside entertainment area where you want control over how much sun reaches the deck, hour by hour.
Folding arm awnings for flexible cover
For a stretch of paving that only needs shade at certain times, a folding arm awning extends out over the area and retracts when you are done. With no posts on the ground, it keeps the poolside clear and the view open.
Finish the underside
Reflected light and heat off a pool make the ceiling of a covered area matter more than usual. An aluminium patio ceiling gives a clean, insulated finish that keeps the space cooler underfoot and holds lighting for evening swims. Our colour is baked into the aluminium across 23 shades, so nothing chalks or peels in the damp, chlorinated air near a pool.
Why aluminium near water
Chlorine, splash and constant sun are hard on timber and untreated steel. Aluminium does not rust or need yearly sealing, which is why every structure we build uses it. Everything is backed by a 10-year guarantee on materials and a year on workmanship, measured, made and fitted by our own teams. We have been building these covers since 1988.
Good to know
Poolside shade: common questions
What is the best shade for low afternoon sun by the pool?
Drop blinds are the most effective, because they pull down to block low glare and wind, then roll away when you want the open view back.
Do I need a permanent roof or an adjustable one?
A fixed aluminium cover gives reliable all-day shade over a seating area with no setting up. A louvre awning suits you if you want to open and close the roof to control the light.
Is aluminium safe to use around chlorine and splash?
Yes. Aluminium does not rust or need yearly sealing, so it holds up well in the damp, chlorinated air near a pool. The baked-in colour resists fading and chalking too.
Can I keep the poolside clear of posts?
A folding arm awning extends over the paving with no ground supports and retracts when not in use, keeping the area open and the view clear.
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Four branches nationwide
We service all areas in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and on the Garden Route
Local teams measure, manufacture and fit from four branches: head office in Cape Town, plus Johannesburg, Pretoria and Wilderness.