Energy Efficiency

Shade Structures and Evaporation Reduction

A shade structure is usually chosen for comfort, but it has a real, if secondary, effect on evaporation that's worth knowing about. This site is dedicated to a single build method: gunite (shotcrete) construction, rebar cage, sprayed and hand-finished concrete, engineered bond beams, and a design that can be shaped to anything the lot allows, from tanning ledges to negative edges to integrated spas.

Poolside deck set up for an evening gathering with string lighting

Less Direct Sun, Less Evaporation

Direct sun exposure and wind are the two biggest evaporation drivers; a shade sail, pergola, or cabana positioned over or near a pool reduces direct heat gain on the water surface, which modestly reduces evaporation and the associated heat and chemical loss compared with a fully exposed pool.

Not a Substitute for a Cover

The effect is real but smaller than a properly used pool cover, which blocks evaporation far more directly; shade structures are worth factoring into an energy-conscious design, but a cover is still the bigger lever for a heated pool specifically.