Backyard shade is hardly new; umbrellas and awnings have been around for decades. But today they have been modernized, much like the kitchen fridge or the American automobile. Current cover-ups have gone high tech providing motorized and remote operation, sturdier fabrics that last longer, greater selections and a whole bunch of new options for comfort and durability.

Finding the Right Shade

When entertaining poolside, you may want to offer swimmers a chance to cool off under the span of a large market umbrella placed tableside or under a telescoping umbrella set over a chaise. An awning may be a better option if you want to move guests who desire shade to a patio or porch area closer to the house.

Most patio umbrellas range in size from a standard 7.5 feet to custom-made models that span up to 13 feet in diameter. Awnings can cover a wide gamut: small enough to shade a bathroom window or large enough to cover the entire rear of a home. With this in mind, also consider factors such as fabric, UV protection, durability, size and price in your buying decision.

Spot Shade: Umbrellas

Just about as much selection and variety can be found in outdoor umbrella choices as in furnishing selections for the interior of your home. Options include:

• Drape umbrellas
• Market umbrellas
• Single- or double-tiered
• Wooden or aluminum poles
• Single or double poles
• Push-ups or crank-lifts
• Automated or pulley and rope types

While there are some variations in quality and durability, according to Charlie Emmons, vice president of sales and marketing for Dayva International, it comes down to a matter "of highly personal preference."

For Emmons, important factors to consider in purchasing an umbrella are sun blockage, craftsmanship of the frame and finishing work.

The traditional aluminum frame patio umbrella has undergone a transformation from a simple push-up operation to the more sophisticated crank and, presently, to an even smoother rope-and-pulley system with remote. The advent of woven acrylic fabrics that endure the elements and provide protection from the sun has produced products that last longer, says Emmons. "Now you can have an aluminum market umbrella without the wood pole, using a simulated overlay. You can even add a tilt or crank feature."

• If coordinating with chair frames is essential, you can also select from a variety of pole colors.
• If keeping your balance while tilting your umbrella sounds like a good idea, the crank-tilt or column-tilt option will let you change angles a little lower down the pole while your feet stay planted firmly on the ground.

Accessorizing market umbrellas with clip-on lighting adds a soft glow and a luxurious atmosphere. The solution for those in windy environs might be a two-tiered umbrella or vented top umbrella.

According to Emmons, "Two-tiered umbrellas are phenomenal for wind resistance." For poolside lounging, there is, of course, the telescoping umbrella, with offset pole, which can protect an entire chaise or two. Remote-controlled umbrellas can be operated much like car remotes and include options like wind sensors. At the touch of a button, you can close them when unexpected weather arrives.

Super Shade: Awnings

If it's an awning that you're after, there are fixed and retractable awnings, awnings with woven acrylic fabric or solid vinyl. Solid vinyl can provide strong protection from the elements and wear well, especially since most are treated against sun-fading and UV degradation.

However, "One of the biggest complaints about awnings," says Jerry Barrette of Patio Sunshades, Buena Park, CA, "is that they darken too much. Vinyl-coated polyester will last twice as long, but it does not protect from rain." Patio Sunshades is introducing a roll-up window shade fabric that will protect from the elements as well as provide a filter for light.

New fabric styling with clean and updated takes on traditional shades, like blue, green and neutrals with an added touch of red and black, provides unusual combinations of stripes.

The question of quality in awnings comes down to not only the fabric, but also to the craftsmanship. Mary Ann Mays, advertising/marketing manager for Anchor Industries, believes that in the past, retractable awnings may have had problems with cumbersome cable and noise. Anchor Industries has recently introduced the latest in European craftsmanship which operates the awning through a resin-covered cable system that is encased in flexible ribbon. The resulting operation is smooth and noiseless, increasing the life of the awning.

Of course, the top-of-the-line model is always great, but even if you were to choose a traditional retractable awning, it will only take a minute or so to set it up. There are, as expected, remote control options and ways to accessorize your awning, with products such as sunshades that clip onto the awning frame and roll down for protection from particularly tricky sun angles.

Maintain Your Shade

Pay as much attention to the care of your purchase as you would to the quality of your purchase. Manufacturers do what technology and cost permit to make products carefree, but they still will need proper care, like storage in bad weather or an occasional cleaning. Traditional warranties on umbrellas are one year; awning warranties are generally longer, depending on the type that you buy.