Architectural Shade Structures for HOA’s: Increasing and Enhancing Your Recreational Amenities

Architectural Shade Structures for HOA’s:

Increasing and Enhancing Your Recreational Amenities

By: Mr. Rick Reinmuth, SoCal Shade Sails

With increased awareness of harmful UV rays and the pandemic pushing more activities outside, many HOAs are now looking at ways to create safe and comfortable outdoor recreational areas to help their homeowners and guests find relief from the sun, solar radiation, and the blistering summer temperatures. Protection from the sun can be a very important health and safety amenity and in some cases be a true lifesaver.

The Sun’s Harmful Impacts

It is important to be mindful of the potential harmful impacts of our weather because UV light can not only damage skin and cause skin cancer, but it can also damage interior and exterior merchandise or furnishings. Many communities have wonderful outdoor playgrounds and recreational amenities without any shade protection, so it is important to be mindful of some important safety data. Several studies have determined that rubber and plastic surfaces exposed to the sun can exceed 160 degrees Fahrenheit. At those temperatures, it takes only three seconds to inflict second-degree burns and five seconds for third-degree burns. However, when covered by a protective shade that blocks direct sunlight, the temperatures on those same surfaces stay at a safe 90 degrees.

Finding Relief In The Shade —Amenity Enhancements

Shade structures are an amenity that many associations have been adding in recent years. Playground areas, picnic areas, and other common areas are being shaded in various ways for members and their guests to enjoy and find respite from the heat and sun. In the past, most of the developers created shade with areas covered with a roof; some constructed with wood, some with steel and concrete or a combination of all those materials. In recent times, fabric shade structures are becoming one of the most popular options for shade and are on trend.

There are various options when choosing areas where the use of shade structures is useful for protection. The pandemic has caused many existing clubhouses to look for ways to add outdoor dining and entertaining. Adding a shade structure can add an instant outdoor amenity. Other areas of concern that could be remedied by shade are playgrounds, pickleball and tennis courts areas and picnic areas. Any area where people congregate or wait for services is a potential candidate for shade coverings. Perhaps your association might want a nice shady area for participants and viewers of the sports areas, golf cart and club staging and pool areas. Depending upon the type of shade structure chosen, you can design unique architectural type shade structures with curves and triangles that cover numerous tables, chairs and lounges. They can also be used for parking lots to cover parking spaces to protect the interiors of cars and from ultraviolet rays. In addition, homeowners are now utilizing the use of shade structures in the entry courtyards of their homes, and around their backyard pool, patio and BBQ areas as well.

Options And Considerations For Shade Structures

Aesthetics are always important for associations to consider. Shade structures usually are constructed out of wood, steel, or concrete, and covered with UV-protective fabric. With endless options available, it may be wise to consult with an architect or designer to find the architectural style that best suits your association’s needs. Additionally, when reviewing choices, there are both short-term (the initial buildout) and long-term maintenance costs to consider. Quality matters.

Cantilever Shade Structures

1. Provides maximum open space beneath the shade.

2. Versatile and customizable options for pools, covered parking, outdoor seating areas and playgrounds.

Cantilevered fabric shade for parking

Hip Or Rounded-Top Shade Structures

1. Features clean, straight roofline, and is among the most popular and economical types of shade structures.

2. Provides coverage for picnic areas, outdoor seating areas, pool areas.

Cantilevered picnic area shade structure

Shade Sails

1. Available with multi-point sails, customizable heights and attachments points and can be triangular or rectangular. Multiple column heights and attachment points allow for the fabric to be manipulated into elegant curves.

2. Great for pool spaces, play areas, open air venues, entrances to buildings.

Metal shade structure with hipped metal roof Fabric shade structure with single color fabric

Hyperbolic Shade Sails

1. Hyperbolic structures utilize multiple fabric tops to provide a unique look; hyperbolic designs enhance the architectural look giving visual aesthetics of the shade structure.

2. Mix and match colors to create a unique and highly customizable structure.

Fabric shade structure with single color fabric

Fabric shade structure with multiple color fabrics

Fabric shade structures allow soft light to enter and improves air circulation, not to mention lower ongoing maintenance costs than traditional roofed shade structures. Once you have either consulted with a design professional or construction consultant and have chosen your shade structures, you can commence with solicitating competitive bids. Working with experts and contractor to install your new amenity will be a rewarding experience and will add to the comfort and enjoyment of your community for years to come.

Rick Reinmuth is the Vice President of Client Development for SoCal Shade Sails. SoCal Shade is in it’s 20th year serving residential and commercial customers throughout the southwest region. Rick has numerous years of experience in the community association management industry where he worked with five chapters of CAI in Southern California. Rick can be reached at (619) 972-1100 or by email at rick@shadesails.biz.