Too much sun? A pergola may be the answer. Made with treated lumber or PVC, a slatted structure can cost about $40 to $200 per square foot and can be tied into the house framing or secured to freestanding posts. For more protection from sun and rain, add a plexiglass or metal roof, like the one shown here.
Money-saving option: A market umbrella, such as Home Decorator's 11-foot version, which comes with a stand, can provide overhead shelter (about $420; Home Decorators Collection), as can a shade sail made of outdoor fabric (about $40; Hayneedle).
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