The heat of an Australian summer means cooling is a necessary part of any verandah design. From artificial cooling sources, to passive design that allows for ventilation, there are plenty of ways to keep you and your family cool as the sun shines bright. Keep reading to discover our top 4 cooling options for your verandah.
Type of verandah
Keeping your outdoor area cool can have a lot to do with what type of verandah you choose. Designs like the Stratco Outback Sunroof feature lourves, which allow you to block out heat from the sun or allow a cool breeze to flow through when open. It’s a convenient and energy-efficient option, that’ll help you cater to the conditions of the day keeping temperatures down without added help.
Opting for an insulated Cooldek roof can also help to keep your verandah cool during the long summer months. Cooldek features a polystyrene core, with a steel underside and topside and works to reduce heat from above. When positioned correctly, a Cooldek roof can also help keep the interior of your home cool as well.
Positioning
If you build your outdoor area in a space that sits in direct sunlight for most of the day, keeping it cool is going to even harder. So, when thinking about installing a new verandah, make sure you take into consideration the average temperatures of the space, the angle of the sun, general wind direction and the surrounding trees and buildings.
If you’re in a seasonally warm location, a south-facing verandah might be best, but if it gets cold in the winters, you might want to look at facing west.
Artificial cooling
Ceiling fans are a great way to introduce a cool breeze to your verandah and keep air moving throughout the space. They’re also cost-effective and can add a touch of tropical luxury living to the aesthetic of the space – especially in a wicker or rattan design.
For one step further, invest in pedestal fans that add a mist of water – you’ll be grateful for the extra cooling on a very hot day! If your verandah is completely closed off, you could also look at outdoor air conditioning, however this is significantly most costly and isn’t as energy efficient as a fan.
Passive design
There’s no question that one of the best ways to cool your verandah is to design it that way in the first place! This means creating a space that encourages ventilation and a cross-breeze.
Sunroof-style outdoor areas, like the Outback Sunroof mentioned above, allow you to open the ceiling of your outdoor area, letting any accumulated heat out. If you opt for open sides to allow for ventilation, this doesn’t mean freezing in winter either – roll-down plastic blinds can be installed to keep the heat in come those colder days.
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If you’re interested in learning more about what cooling options are on offer for your verandah, get in touch with the expert team at Innovative Verandahs today.
