During the hot summer months, we usually spend a lot of extra money just to keep our homes cool. So, are there any ways to reduce those extra costs? One way is landscape shading. This involves the strategic planting of trees and shrubs so that they provide shade to a home, reducing the amount of heat that enters. This method is known to lower indoor temperatures by as much as 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Before you decide on landscape shading on your property, here are a few things to think about:
Its very important that you plan everything out well ahead of time. There are many factors to take into consideration. One of the main factors is which trees to use. How big will the tree become and how much shadow will be cast? The denser the tree or shrub, the more continuous shade you will get. Another thing to think about is whether you want shade all year round or just for the summer months. If you want the sun to heat the home in the winter, then choose deciduous trees that will lose their leaves in the winter but provide full shade in the summer.
If you want something that will grow fast and provide shade, then vines are a good option. They can be grown to wrap around a trellis or be placed in a planter box and, as well as providing shade, they also allow for a much-needed breeze to come through. What if you are looking to shade driveways or pathways? Shrubs are a good choice for this.
As we mentioned, before you start planting extra trees and shrubs, take into consideration your property and its surrounding area and check that you won’t be creating moisture related problems by doing so. Another thing to think about is that, with the cost of trees etc. it might be a while before the energy savings outweigh their cost.
Its very important that you plan everything out well ahead of time. There are many factors to take into consideration. One of the main factors is which trees to use. How big will the tree become and how much shadow will be cast? The denser the tree or shrub, the more continuous shade you will get. Another thing to think about is whether you want shade all year round or just for the summer months. If you want the sun to heat the home in the winter, then choose deciduous trees that will lose their leaves in the winter but provide full shade in the summer.
If you want something that will grow fast and provide shade, then vines are a good option. They can be grown to wrap around a trellis or be placed in a planter box and, as well as providing shade, they also allow for a much-needed breeze to come through. What if you are looking to shade driveways or pathways? Shrubs are a good choice for this.
As we mentioned, before you start planting extra trees and shrubs, take into consideration your property and its surrounding area and check that you won’t be creating moisture related problems by doing so. Another thing to think about is that, with the cost of trees etc. it might be a while before the energy savings outweigh their cost.
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