Lifestyle

The Best Gas Grills in 2018 for Under $500

With warmer weather (and during the fall, why discriminate?) comes the appeal of grilled foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, marinated steaks, grilled kabobs, and on and on! Especially if it is a under a custom patio cover built by Afforadable Shade.

What is less exciting is the price of that new grill you have been drooling over, making excuses to go to the home improvement store to just spend a few intimate moments in the reflective chrome glow of the one that WILL one day be yours.

But there is good news!

You don’t have to break the bank to get an excellent new gas grill: here is a list of the top 5 gas grills that retail for less than $500 so you can stop drooling and start grilling!

The Broil-King Signet 320

The Broil-King Signet 320 gas grill has plenty of grilling area concerning square inches of cooking surface and boasts a high BTU rating while remaining a compact chrome delight, sure to be a backyard hit with the entire family, the guys, and anyone who loves grilled food!

The BK Signet 320 also includes a burner that is handy when you need to heat up some beans, keep some homemade queso warm for the outdoor party (a personal favorite of the author), or anything else that would fall through the heavy cast iron grates on the grill itself.

Char-Broil Performance 5 Burner Gas Grill

Possibly one of the best, large economic grills on the market today, this Char-Broil model is a beast when space isn’t a concern that will definitely light your fire!

This 45,000 BTU chrome beauty boasts five powerful burners and a 10,000 BTU side burner for side items and is powerful enough to make a windy day a non-issue when it comes to even heating.

This model also has a temperature gauge in the lid for your convenience and ultra-precise cooking, with one of the more reliable electric ignition, triggers to get things heating up without hesitation.

The Weber Genesis E-410 Grill

This genius mid-sized grill from Weber could be the genesis of your next grilling success!

The Weber Genesis E-410 is the four burner middle child of Weber’s more economical line of mid-sized four burner grills that gives you most of the same features of a more massive grill without taking up an entire patio or party area.

This unit also boasts a pretty vast amount of shelf room for food prep and a convenient place to set a cold beverage and your favorite spatula down while you get your grill on!

Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station

Beyond being a gorgeous piece of chrome plated heaven to look at, the Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station is on the larger side when it comes to space it takes up and the flavor it cooks up!

Want to grill a steak, three burgers, and a grilled cheese (see what we did there?) at the same time for an outdoor get-together? This is the one!

Eggs, bacon, and pancakes become outdoor cuisine with this grill griddle station, with cleanup being a breeze that is sure to please!

The Monument Grills Propane Gas Grill

The Monumnet 6 Burner Gas Grill indeed is a monument to cost savvy grill lovers everywhere, boasting a rotisserie and spit to evenly roast meats of all varieties, a ridiculously power 60,000 BTU rating (not a lot of time wasted waiting for things to heat up), and a 513 square inch cooking surface to get everything done at the same time!

This fantastic grill also features porcelain coated cast iron grill plates, a temperature gauge in the lid, and the convenience and style of led backlit control knobs- no need for a flashlight when you need to change the settings!

4 Things to Think About When Adding a Patio in Houston

If you are thinking about adding a porch or patio cover to your property, doing a little brainstorming and research is worth its weight in gold!

Here are four things ideas you can use to create a checklist when it’s time to build an outdoor addition to your property.

The Type of Structure Will You Need

Like many things, answering the question of why you need something will help the project start off right.

If you are looking for something economical and straightforward structure, then an insulated aluminum cover might be the way to go (make sure you check out any deed restrictions first, more on that in a bit).

If you are looking for a more customization option or you want a larger space to entertain, a custom patio cover may be the better choice. Custom patio additions are more common in the Houston area and can add more value to your home.

Elegant Aluminum Patio Cover With Ceiling Fans — Elegant Insulated Aluminum

Deciding what your needs are is the best place to start a new outdoor living project!

Patio Cover Materials

As we just mentioned, custom patio cover additions are the most common in the Houston area, with the most common being a design that matches the current style of the home. Matching the style of your home may require decorative stone or brick columns, and a decorative ceiling can be added to the design.

If you have chosen an aluminum patio cover, you may want to consider a color that complements the current paint color of your home.

No matter what kind of materials you choose for a patio cover, make sure that the cover is built to Texas windstorm certifications to ensure a long lifespan in the often turbulent weather we see here in Houston.

Check Deed Restrictions

While driving around a neighborhood and looking around will give you a good idea of the uniformity expected by a subdivision deed restriction or limitations placed by an HOA (or both), actually doing some research is a must when building a patio cover.

Contacting the right organization and getting a detailed list of what is acceptable and what isn’t can help you to avoid a costly mistake and potentially (depending on what they allow) open your eyes to possibilities you hadn’t thought of.

Taking the time to do this research will also give you info on the kinds of accessories and other things you may have wanted to add to your property as well.

Research Your City for Permits and Guidelines

Again, research before you begin a patio cover project can help to define it and avoid any costly mistakes.

Take the time to get detailed information from your city regarding construction regulations. For example, do you know how far from a property line your patio cover can be based on city guidelines? Doing this research will help you plan the project as well as ensure that you comply with local laws.

In addition to the research, you will need to get a permit actually to build the patio addition when the time comes. If you are using a contractor to build your patio addition, they will often take care of this step for you, but be sure that they agree to do that and give you copies of everything for your records and peace of mind.

About Affordable Shade Patio Covers

Affordable Shade Patio Covers builds patio covers and pergolas in the Houston area. When you choose to work with us, we work with you to design a patio cover to fit your needs. Once you have a design, we handle all the permitting, HOAs, and windstorm certification. All you have to do is sit back and relax! If you would like a free design consultation, please give us a call at 713-574-4969.

Choosing One of These Four Hanging Plants Will Add Color and Life to Your Patio!

Enjoying your backyard patio and cup of hot tea or your favorite cold beverage is a great way to relax and unwind after a stressful day at work!

And why not add a little greenery to your scenery; maybe a splash of color and fragrance too?

We want to give four examples of hanging plants that style, life, and even lovely aromas to your patio for maximum enjoyment!

Certainly, these are only four examples of the millions you could choose, but we hope to give you an idea an let you run with it!

Hanging Philodendron and the Spider Plant

Hanging Philodendron is a tropical plant perfect for our Houston climate that thrives in warm to hot, humid areas and doesn’t require a lot of watering.

This exotic looking plant is easy to care for, is a natural air purifier (which means great for indoors too), and adds a splash of green that is decor’ neutral and looks great no matter where it hangs!

The spider plant is a common sight among potted and hanging plants, is sturdy and does well in warm, humid climates, and is also easy to care for.

Variegated Wandering Jew Ivy Plant

An Ivy vine with an exciting name, the variegated wandering Jew Ivy plant is a beautiful member of the Ivy family that is an excellent choice to hang on your patio!

This Ivy is characterized by its leaves that boast a classy silvery hued stripe, with some species of the plant missing the stripes but more than making up for it with beautiful three-petaled white flowers.

There is even a species called Tradescantia Pallida that has deep purple leaves and light colored purple-pink flowers!

This beautiful plant does well in Houston weather and is also one that is easy to care for.

Fuchsia ‘Lena’

For a dash of color in your patio try the Fuchsia ‘Lena’ plant as a choice of a hanging plant!

This gorgeous hanging plant is one that is sure to please with its trailing double-flower buds with creamy looking hot pink and purple petals and is a very productive plant, so the plant is always colorful.

Another plant that does well in our warmer climate and does excellent with minimal care and indirect sunlight, the Fuchsia ‘Lena’ plant also makes an outstanding gift for any other patio lovers you may know!

‘Bella’ Lavender

We saved the best for last…the beauty and fragrance of the ‘Bella’ Lavender plant! This lavender plant not only adds the vibrant purple you would expect from a lavender plant but also a warm and delightful and soothing fragrance to your patio.

The Bella does well in warm temperatures but needs to hang a little lower so it can soak up the sun as much as possible, with a minimum of watering necessary to keep it looking healthy and stunningly pretty!

That’s a short list of some our favorite hanging plants that are great for patios to give them color, style, fragrance, and add some green to your scene!

About Affordable Shade Patio Covers

Affordable Shade builds custom patio covers, pergolas, arbors, and palapas in Houston and the surrounding areas. We have completed 1,000s of outdoor living projects all while maintaining an A+ BBB rating. We offer complimentary design consultations to homeowners in our services area. To schedule a time to talk about your outdoor living project give us a call at 713-574-4969.

5 Reasons Why Spending More Time Outdoors Can Benefit Your Health

You may be looking for ways to improve your health this year. One of the ways you can do this is by simply spending more time outdoors. Here are five health benefits of spending time outside:

Increase Vitamin D Intake

Your body must have vitamin D to absorb calcium and promote bone growth, according to Daniel J DeNoon. If your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D, your bones can become soft and fragile.

Your body can produce vitamin D naturally with exposure to direct sunlight. Most people can get enough vitamin D with only 15 minutes of direct sun exposure two times per week.

Improved Eye Health

Staring continuously at backlight screens (phones, computers, televisions) for a prolonged period can lead to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). You may experience blurred or double vision, red or irritated eyes. Research shows that between 50% and 90% of people who work at a computer screen have at least some symptoms.

Working adults aren’t the only ones affected. Kids who stare at tablets or use computers during the day at school can have issues too, especially if the lighting and their posture are less than ideal.

Going outdoors and taking a break from the screens to focus on objects that are distant can help you prevent CVS and possibly reverse the symptoms.

Better Sleep

Spending too much time indoors and away from natural lights can alter your natural sleep cycle, called circadian rhythms. However, spending time outdoors can reset your circadian rhythms which may lead to improved sleep.

Breathe Fresh Air

Indoor air pollution can be up to ten times worse than outdoor air pollutants. Inadequate ventilation, mold, and other chemicals can lower indoor air quality.

Spending time outdoors breathing fresh air can improve your health.

Increased Psychological Health

You can improve your mental health by spending more time outdoors. Studies have shown that being outdoors reduces stress, boost serotonin and dopamine.

Being outdoors may improve your mood and make you happier!

Add a Custom Patio Cover to Your Home

You can personally enjoy the health benefits of being outdoors by adding a custom patio cover or wooden pergola from Affordable Shade Patio Covers to your home.

3 Backyard Patio Cover Ideas That Will Transform Your Backyard

As a homeowner, you’ve likely considered ways to beautify your home, make it authentically yours, all the while adding value. Outdoor spaces are a great way to expand on the living areas of your home, which adds considerable value. Adding a covered patio will not only add to the value of your home, but the shade provided will effectively reduce energy bills. If done well, covered patios add tremendous character which blend seamlessly into your home’s design. Moreover, they create new ways to live, entertain, and enjoy being home. At Affordable Shade Patio Covers, we have several different options to fit your design and budget needs.

Custom Patio Covers

Our custom patio covers are the best option for adding seamless living space to your home. We can match the current design, brick or siding so perfectly that no one will ever know it’s an add on! From small patios, perfect for a couple of rocking chairs to watch the kids play or grand outdoor living spaces for entertaining we’ve got you covered. In addition to protecting you from the sun and heat, you can also safeguard outdoor electronics from the elements.

We’re committed to our customer’s vision and can provide experienced suggestions to add style to your personal design. The design options are limitless. Best of all, these structures are easily approved by most home owner associations, removing one major obstacle to your home improvement dreams. Contact us directly to schedule an estimate if you’re ready to get started on your custom patio cover.

Aluminum Patio Covers

If the cost of a custom patio cover has you questioning whether you can make the home upgrades you desire, aluminum patio covers are a fantastic alternative. Our aluminum covers are budget friendly while allowing you the outdoor space you desire. Just like a custom cover, you get shade, protection, and style installed in a short two or three days.

As you can see from the pictures, our aluminum patio covers are sleek, blending with a variety of different home designs. The covers lend the feeling of a classic, wooden design without the upkeep. Whether you have a brick home, stone façade, or siding, our aluminum patio covers will look beautiful against it. We offer both aluminum supports or we can build brick columns to create a custom look. Call us now if you think an aluminum patio cover might be the solution you’ve been looking for to battle the Texas heat.

Pergolas

Pergolas are outdoor structures made from a framework of beams laid side by side, providing partial shade to a patio or garden. Often, they’re used as archways in gardens as design elements for climbing plants, however they can also be used as patio covers. Our pergolas are a classic and beautiful way to add relief from sun while adding style to your outdoor living space. Pergolas give a garden-like feel to your backyard, allowing sunshine to peek through the beams for plants. These covers are designed to draw the eye and invite you to relax. While lovely, be mindful that if total protection from rain and other outdoor elements is important to you, a pergola would be ineffective.

We offer two kinds of pergolas to suit your needs: wooden and aluminum. Our wooden pergolas are made from treated cedar or pine, and can be stained to match your home’s exterior. Our aluminum pergolas designed to look like wooden beams without the upkeep.

If you have questions or feel like you have a particularly challenging design, we encourage you to look at the pergola photo gallery to get ideas. We are confident that we can solve any design dilemmas.

At Affordable Shade Patio Covers, our focus is customer satisfaction. We source and employ the best craftsmen and project managers to bring life to your outdoor living space. We make sure the job is done well, exceeding code standards, and structurally sound. We’re a member of the Better Business Bureau, the Greater Houston Builders Association and the Texas Association of Builders. We’re a team you can trust. Just check out some of our company reviews!

“The company is very professional and well-run. All the work was done on schedule. The person who first came out to talk to me about the work and gave me the proposal was involved in the project throughout and made sure that I was satisfied. Some of the things I asked for were not well-defined and changed throughout the project but the company was able to adapt and accommodate my desires.”

“Joe kept us informed regarding timelines and weather conditions. Eddie and the construction crew were amazing. a well oiled machine. They worked so well together. Our expectations were exceeded. When finished they cleaned the backyard so well it was as if they had never been here.”

Lifestyle

The Best Gas Grills in 2018 for Under $500