The best sun shades for your home

August 12, 2020 (Last update: November 10, 2026)

With the extremely high temperatures of the past few weeks, and with this likely to be the new normal rather than an exception, it makes sense to find a long-term solution at home. One of the most important ways to keep heat out of and around the house is by using sun shades. In this article we explain which types of sun protection exist, when and why you should choose a particular solution, and we finish with a top 10 of the best sun shades for your home.
If you need extra cooling indoors, we recommend the article "Beste airco".
If you've had enough of the sun for a while, you can use sun shades to create your own patch of shade in your garden, on your roof terrace, in your living room or on your balcony. There are many types of sun shades to choose from, such as retractable awnings so you not only sit in the shade but are also sheltered from the wind, roller shutters to keep rooms cool, or a shade sail or parasol for the patio.
You can find the different types of solutions below.

Parasols

Parasols protect you from the sun when you want to sit outside comfortably. With a large parasol you can shade your entire garden set, while a small one lets you cover specific spots. There are different kinds of parasols: cantilever parasols are placed to the side so they don’t take up space in the middle. Parasols provide good protection from the sun and can really complete your garden. Smaller models are easy to take to the beach and/or move around.
Besides the well-known centre-pole parasols there are also cantilever parasols, wall-mounted parasols, centre-pole parasols and beach parasols.

Shade sails

You can hang these above your garden so you can enjoy it comfortably sheltered during hot summer days. These shade sails filter UV radiation and provide shade wherever you want it. The shade sails are resistant to normal weather conditions and require hardly any maintenance. Choose a shade sail that suits you by going for a modern, high-quality or functional model. They come in different sizes: square, triangular, rectangular and in various colours.
You usually install a shade sail with hooks in walls or wood and leave it hanging for a period of time.

Roller shutters

Had it with the heat in your home? A roller shutter is perfect for keeping the sun out. You can choose between manual or electric shutters that you can control with a remote or an app. Ideal for limiting the heat indoors during the day and at night they provide ventilation because you can keep the windows open. This also offers extra security for your home. Check carefully whether the type of roller shutter is suitable for your window. You’ll also find all necessary accessories such as motors, belt winders and lift straps.
Awnings
An awning not only creates a shaded spot but also offers protection from the wind. A folding-arm awning is ideal where you need a clear passageway, for example on a patio where the space under the awning must stay free for tables and chairs. A drop-arm awning has two longer, rigid arms. This model is usually cheaper than a folding-arm awning but just as effective.

Canopies and Dutch canopies

Besides awnings there are more luxurious and expensive options such as a canopy or Dutch canopy. Make sure you hire an experienced specialist to mount anything to the façade so it’s suitable and stays in place. There is plenty of choice in sizes, colours and fabrics.

Top 10 sun shades

Because there are different solutions for sun protection at home – depending on which places and rooms get the sun during the day – we’ve put together a final top 10 for every type of sun shade, explained below with product information, photos and prices. Make the most of it, choose convenience and pick the best sun shade as the solution for your home!

1. Kopu ronde stokparasol Calma met voet

Parasol Kopu Calma is a stylish round parasol with a diameter of 300 cm. It has 8 sturdy ribs and a solid 38 mm pole. The polyester canopy is water-repellent and has a wind vent in the middle. Opening it is very easy thanks to the pulley system. The parasol can also be tilted.

€ 169,95

2. Schaduwdoek - zonnezeil

This sun sail is an efficient and inexpensive way to protect your pool or patio from heat and harmful UV rays.

SCHADUWDOEK - ZONNEZEIL - DRIEHOEK 3.6 x 3.6 x...

€ 37,43

Buy at bol.com

3. Parasol Ø 300 cm + Parasolvoet 25 KG

Enjoy the sun and get outside. When it’s the height of summer it can be too hot to sit in the sun. Then seek the cooling shade. This parasol has an aluminium pole with metal ribs and a polyester canopy. Diameter 300 cm. With swivel and tilt mechanism and ventilation opening. The pole diameter of this parasol is 45 mm.

Parasol Ø 300 cm + Parasolvoet 25 KG

€ 149,99

4. Canvas zonnescherm met luifer

This awning creates shade in your garden or on your roof terrace whenever you need it on warmer sunny days. Thanks to the generous size of the folding-arm awning you get a large shaded area, so you don’t have to keep changing places. This awning is weather and UV resistant, which prevents discolouration from bright sunlight. This attractive sun shade is supplied without a frame and is suitable for fitting onto your existing frame.

Canvas zonnescherm met luifer 6 x 3 m (blauw wit)

€ 78,99

Buy at bol.com

5. Relaxdays klem zonwering - markies - zonwering balkon

You want to enjoy all the benefits of sun protection without causing permanent damage to your home? Then this clamping awning is the right choice for spending the summer on your balcony, terrace or in the garden. Neither glare nor harmful UV rays nor rain will spoil the good mood for you or your loved ones. The balcony awning is operated with a handy crank. The stable steel frame ends at the top and bottom with rounded caps to avoid damaging the floor, walls or the balcony above. Clamping awning available in different sizes.

relaxdays klem zonwering - markies - zonwering...

€ 149,90

6. VidaXL Rolluik aluminium wit

The roller shutters are made of high-quality aluminium sheet filled with polyurethane foam with special two-layer paint coatings (PU/PA system). This makes the shutters resistant to wear and weather influences. The shutters are designed to improve a building’s energy consumption and can significantly help reduce heating costs in winter; in summer, when the sun is shining and the outside temperature rises, they provide a pleasantly cool feeling and relief for eyes tired from the bright sun.

vidaXL Rolluik 100x130 cm aluminium wit€ 139,99

7. Eurotrail Parasol

With the Eurotrail Strand Parasol you sit safely and protected from the sun. The beach parasol is made from sturdy polyester material with a silver UV block coating and a protection factor of 50+ UPF. You can tilt the parasol at the top and it comes with a carry bag.

Eurotrail Parasol - Blauw

€ 29,99

Buy at bol.com

8. Balkonparasol parasol muurparasol

Parasol stands are often in the way, which is why Brulo now introduces a parasol that mounts to the wall. This parasol makes it possible to sit in the shade on your patio and/or balcony. Thanks to the unique design you can use the entire parasol and not just half of it. The product is made from aluminium, stainless steel and some plastic parts. The parasol comes with a hand crank and includes mounting materials.

Balkonparasol parasol muurparasol Creme

€ 149,00

9. Schaduwdoek - Zonnezeil - Vierkant

This sun sail is an efficient and inexpensive way to protect your pool or patio from heat and harmful UV rays. In addition, this sun sail gives your outdoor living space a modern and luxurious touch.