If you live in Studio City, Sherman Oaks, or Tarzana, then you know the San Fernando Valley can get hot – really hot. However, you didn’t spend all that money on a house with a nice yard for the kids to play in just to hide inside 25% of the year; what can be done to get the most out of your home all year long?
Our first suggestion is to bite the bullet and purchase a patio umbrella (you already spent a lot of money on your house, we’d hope an umbrella won’t bankrupt you). There aren’t any restrictions on design, but hopefully you are aware that things are a little cooler in the shade. Something to keep in mind, however, is to grab a patio umbrella that can withstand gusts of wind; it gets a bit windy from time to time. If you want a little more in the way of appearance, you can’t go wrong with retractable awnings.
There is a pattern here, and it’s creating shade. If you have a little more money to spend, invest in building a pavilion in your back yard; not only is a great space to host outdoor events, but it will likely increase the value of your property (an overhead lattice will be less effective, but is both cost effective and pretty easy on the eyes). If you aren’t flush with cash, a gazebo will accomplish the same goal for less. If you’re on a particularly tight budget, shade sails and overhead screens might be more your style.
At the Chernov Team we know that knowledge is power, and we also know that if you live somewhere year-round you probably want to be able to enjoy all of it all year long. The San Fernando Valley gets awfully hot, but that’s no reason not to hang out with your friends and family outside.