Emily, a dedicated restaurant owner in Phoenix, Arizona, asked one of her customers – Mark, about the review of her establishment, to which he said – “The food is 10/10, but during summers, it’s practically impossible to have a meal outside due to scorching heat. Last time, I started sweating so profusely that I left my plate half-eaten deliberately.”
Being passionate about providing a fine dining experience, Emily worried about her restaurant’s reputation as she has invested heavily in designing the patio, a highlight of evenings. However, the intense heat lets only a few people come to her restaurant during the daytime. From Fans to mister, everything was tried and tested, but nothing worked in making her patio a bustling space.
Isn’t this a common issue for many places where even after having a remarkable outdoor place, most people often struggle to enjoy a nice cup of coffee or read a book due to extreme heat?
In this blog, we are going to cover how to choose the right patio shade tarp for your outdoor space.

Top 5 Shade Tarps for Patios According To Your Needs
1. Canvas Shade Tarps
Canvas Tarps are durable and widely used for ages. Known for providing phenomenal water and UV resistance, its breathable material makes it best to go for your outdoor environment. Made from Polyester Canvas, the canvas patio shades are widely used in Industrial areas and can be used for domestic purposes if you are looking for a durable and eco-friendly option for your home.

- Price Range – $50-$100, varying depending on size and quality.
- Maintenance – Average To High
- Key Quality – People seeking durable, breathable, and eye-pleasing options.
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2. Polyethylene Shade Tarps (Poly Tarps)
Made from polyethylene fabric, known for its durability and lightweight, these sun tarps are your go-to choice for sun damage protection and tackling weather conditions. It also features rust-resistant grommets, making it easy to open and cover your desired area. Also, easy to clean and carry, this is widely used in residential and commercial settings for creating a temporary shaded area.

- Price Range – $10 to $40
- Maintenance – Minimal
- Key Quality – Savvy & selective individuals seeking best value products at a low price.
3. Mesh Shade Tarps
Also known by the name of shade tarps, sun tarps, and nursery tarps, mesh patio covers are extensively used worldwide for residential, commercial, and agricultural project use. Made of heavy-duty polyethylene mesh, it is a robust cover against the Sun. Most people prefer a mesh cover for their garden as it is breathable and easy to access. It is lightweight and easy to carry, which makes it a portable product that can be carried anywhere and used for setting up a temporary shaded place like a tent.

- Price Range – $20 to $60
- Maintenance – Minimal
- Key Quality – People seeking an economical price range and ample ventilation.
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4. Vinyl Shade Tarps
Vinyl Shade Tarps is a Heavy-duty covering solution designed to safeguard from UV rays, rain, and wind. Made from Vinyl Fabric, it is UV, Tear, Abrasion, and Cold Weather Resistant, making it a product for almost all your needs. In residential setups, it is used for patios, vehicles, and furniture, whereas in commercial – Event spaces. Easy to clean, you can consider this tarp if you are looking for a lasting option.

- Price Range – $60 to $200
- Maintenance – Average
- Key Quality – Heavy Duty Safeguard and solid productive performance.
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5. Shade Sail Tarps
Constructed from High-density polyethylene and considered to be an excellent UV material, these shade tarp patios are one of the best options for blocking UV rays while permitting air to come down. Also, the main highlight of the Shade Sail Tarps is that they come in triangular and rectangular shapes, making it an effective & eye-appealing way to safeguard your area.
- Price Range – $30 to $150
- Maintenance – Minimal
- Key Quality – Modern aesthetically pleasing design with excellent UV Protection.
Recommended Patio Covers In Terms Of Region & Season
Find your Ideal Patio Covers as per geographical conditions and consider the most appropriate for your protection and enjoyable outdoor space.
| Region | Winter | Summer | Rain | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast (New England, Mid-Atlantic | Cold with heavy snowfall | Hot and Humid | Throughout the Year | Vinyl Shade Tarps and Canvas Shade Tarps |
| Southeast (Southeastern Seaboard, Gulf Coast) | Mild | Hot and Humid | Frequent rain and incidental hurricanes | Mesh Shade Tarps & Polyethylene Shade Tarps (Poly Tarps) |
| Midwest (Great Lakes, Plains) | Cold, occasional snowfall | Hot and Humid | Occasional chances of tornadoes | Vinyl Shade Tarps and Canvas Shade Tarps |
| Southwest (Deserts, Southern part of California) | Mild winters | Extreme Hot, Low Humidity | Minimal Rainfall | Shade Sail Tarps and Mesh Shade Tarps |
| West Coast (Pacific Northwest, Northern California) | Mild, wet winters | Cool summers with occasional heat waves | High humidity, and frequent rain in the Northwest | Vinyl Shade Tarps and Polyethylene Shade Tarps (Poly Tarps) |
| Mountain States (Rocky Mountains, Intermountain West) | Cold winters with heavy snowfall | Warm, dry summers | High altitude with varying weather | Vinyl Shade Tarps and Canvas Shade Tarps |
| Southern Plains (Texas, Oklahoma) | Mild winters | Hot, dry summers | Occasional severe weather (thunderstorms, tornadoes) | Mesh Shade Tarps And Polyethylene Shade Tarps (Poly Tarps) |
Benefits That Make Patio Shade Tarp A Smart Investment For Your Outdoor Space
1. Elevate Your Outdoor Living Space with Style and Comfort
There are numerous options from which you can choose heavy-duty tarps for patios that resonate with your outdoor specifications. Apart from adding to the volume of aesthetics and giving a lavish experience to your open area, it also ensures a cooler and comfortable environment for your outside area.
You can also utilize it to transform your garden into a delightful and safe playing area for children. In commercial setups, they can be used for creating a calm and eye-pleasing area in hotels, cafes, or even corporate offices where people can socialize, work, and get more sitting capacity on the premises.
2. Enhance the Lifespan Of Your Outer Furniture
Just like you, your furniture does not like UV rays. Direct sunlight affects the furniture and results in fading away its natural color or simply damaging it to get adversely affected with time.
3. Privacy
There is no scope for doubt that privacy is a challenge in open spaces. To tackle this, shade tarps work like an effective solution in providing a comfortable and secluded outside area.
4. Ultimate Weather Protection
Apart from the Sun, sometimes the rain is also responsible for spoiling the party. A covered tarp can help you enjoy the rain without getting wet and spend quality time uninterrupted by the weather.
5. Easy To Use
Its simple mechanism makes it a complete Homely product for which you don’t need an expert. You can put on and off the shade tarps patio or adjust them according to your needs.
Also Read: 3 Ways To Install & Use The Shade Tarps For Temporary Use
Considering the numerous benefits, it is evident that getting shade tarp for patios is a wise decision you can make. However, it is equally important to choose the right one as they are available in different materials, colors, and designs.
Reading about the below-mentioned shades will enhance your level of understanding and let you choose the most appropriate one as per your needs.
Maintenance Tips To Enhance Lifespan
- Basic Cleaning: This can be done with a soft brush to remove the dirt. Use a mild soap solution in case of hard patches. Don’t use harsh chemicals.
- Dry: Should be completely dry. Avoid direct sunlight.
- Storage: Cool and dry place. Also, roll or fold appropriately to eliminate creases when not in use.
- Weather Protection: In case of storms, better remove them for prolonged usage.
- Repairs: Perform regular checks for tears or holes. Use fabric tape for small damages.
Summing Up
Adopting Shade tarps is an affordable and practical solution that you can use to beat the scorching heat and enjoy the unfiltered beauty of the outside environment. Not just for residential purposes, they can also be considered for commercial purposes in work areas and help to boost your productivity by creating a safe workplace.
While considering a patio tarp shade, kindly go through the factors such as the area needed to be covered, durability, water resistance, cost, and aesthetics before you settle down for one. It is advisable to consider taking the help of an expert who can guide you through the process and let you make a correct decision. At Mytee Products, we have a comprehensive category of Patio Shade Tarps in different sizes, colors, textures, and materials, having distinguished qualities.

