If your deck isn't very large, that could be a good solution. But if the deck is more than a few feet wide, I'd opt for either a pergola or possibly even sail cloth shades, depending on the style of your home. If you're more traditional, go for a pergola. More modern, the sail shades. Here are examples of each:

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anything that blocks direct sunlight from hitting it will make it cool. i have a similar deck w/a patio cover over it (slatted wood) In the spots where it's shaded, it's fine to walk barefoot. on the spot where it gets the full sun, not so much. so yes, shading it will make it cooler

Thank you all. We are opting for a retractable awning. 17 ft w x 11.7 L. with a wind sensor. (still waiting to place the final order) Since we are not placing it on the roof we cannot get it any longer in length; only 11 ft 7 inches it will cover one side of the deck from our deck doors up to the back of the chairs at the table

. (We were hoping it could have been much longer to the rail) We do have another level (on the left of the pic)

on our deck but it would be way too costly to consider purchasing one for that section too. We even thought about a louvered pagoda but it would cost over $20,000's or more!

If anyone has any other suggestions and/or advice, it would be appreciated.

We put one on our deck - best investment EVER!! It is South facing -and really couldn't sit out there during the hot summer months - now we use it every day.

pdmd ... Thank you for your feedback. No matter where we place our umbrellas it is not enough and it is so hot! Did you get a wind sensor? What are your thoughts?

Hi Angela - we would do it again without question - couldn't use our deck during the afternoon. We had to place it high - above the top row of windows - as a result - some sun covers the end of the deck during the later afternoon - but it's manageable, and we can pop open the umbrella if we have a lot of people over. We did get a wind sensor - but typically retract the awning when it gets windy - so we've never tested it.

Thank you once again for the pictures (your house is lovely). Also for all the information shared. Our Awning Rep. is coming on Wednesday. We will be ordering our retractable awning with the hood & the wind sensor. He said it will take three weeks. I do have several more questions about wind sensor for him. ( I'm wondering if when the batteries go on the wind sensor does it effect the awning from retracting when I use the remote control just to open it up?) While I had him on the phone yesterday, I also had asked him about a full cassette which encases the awning. Unfortunately, the one he has doesn't cover the retractable arms just the fabric ($880.00.+). We have been looking on the internet for a cover for the awning. We found something on the internet which covers the top and bottom of the awning. We hope this will do the job. TBH, I didn't realize that birds like to make nests in the awning so therefore home owners cover it up. Once again thank you so much.

Besides the awning, an indoor outdoor rug could minimize the heat.

Also there are pergola kits that attach to the house that will provide you with filtered sunlight.

Retractable awnings have many advantages over umbrellas. See this blog for complete details.

RetractableAwnings.com offers the largest projection retractable awning in the world at 16'0". In addition, we offer projections larger than the 11.7 you mention above. Our Palermo Plus model is available with 11'10" or 13'2" projections and our Roma model offers 14'3" and 16'0" projections. Our folding lateral arm awnings can be wall, soffit/eave, beam, rafter, or roof-mounted. Click here for complete details, specifications, fabric colors, frame colors, installation instructions, and more for all folding lateral arm retractable awning models.