Patio Sunlight Exposure Planner
Enter sun and shade hours.

Designing Comfortable Outdoor Spaces

Whether you’re growing herbs or relaxing with friends, knowing when the sun hits your patio helps you make the most of it. Some plants thrive in full sun, while patio furniture might need the protection of an umbrella. Tracking exposure across the seasons takes guesswork out of planning.

Simple Sunlight Equation

This planner approximates usable sun time S by subtracting shade hours from the total daylight hours on a given date.

S=Hβˆ’\sigma

where H is peak sun hours and \sigma represents shading from nearby structures or trees. Keeping a log each month reveals how the angle of the sun changes through the year.

Planning Tips

If you discover your patio gets intense afternoon sun, consider installing a pergola or shade sail. Gardeners might arrange container plants so heat-loving varieties sit in the brightest spots while shade-tolerant herbs nestle closer to walls.

Many homeowners track sunlight for multiple spots around the yard to decide where to build a new deck or place raised beds. By measuring a few days each season, you can create an average profile that informs everything from seating comfort to which flowers bloom best.

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