Perfecting Patios for East and West Aspects
East and west-facing patios present a specific challenge: low-angle sun that can cause significant glare during early mornings or late afternoons. Achieving a comfortable environment here requires a flexible design that can be adjusted. By using a combination of vertical zip screens and adjustable louvred roofs or retractable awnings, you can effectively manage the light throughout the day, creating a space that works regardless of the sun's position.
Safety first: isolate power before touching a motorised system, and never work at height off a ladder alone. If in doubt, book a fitter rather than forcing a mechanism.
Reading the sun path across the day
An east-facing patio catches strong, low sun for a few hours after sunrise, then sits in shade for the rest of the day once the sun swings south and west. A west-facing patio does the opposite: shaded mornings, then a long, glaring evening session as the sun drops towards the horizon directly into sightlines. Because the angle stays low rather than overhead, a fixed roof overhang that would block midday sun on a south patio does very little here. Understanding which half of the day matters most to your household — breakfast on an east patio, or evening dining on a west one — should drive the choice between a roof-only system and one with side screening built in from the outset.
The value of vertical screening
When the sun is low on the horizon, a roof alone won't provide enough shade. Vertical zip screens allow you to block the glare from the side, providing full comfort during those tricky morning or evening hours.
Questions we get asked on repair calls
How do I block low-angle sun?
Vertical zip screens are the most effective way to block low-angle sun glare from the side, while adjustable overhead systems manage the sun from above.
Can I use screens with a standard glass veranda?
Yes, we can integrate vertical zip screens into almost any of our veranda designs for maximum versatility.
Is a west-facing patio worse for glare than an east-facing one?
It depends on your routine. West-facing gardens catch the longest, strongest low sun in the evening, which tends to matter more for dining and entertaining, while east-facing gardens see the same effect earlier in the day when fewer people are outside using the space.
Will a fixed glass roof reduce evening glare on a west patio?
Only partially. A fixed roof blocks overhead sun well but does little against sun coming in almost horizontally at a low angle, so most east or west aspects benefit more from vertical screening than from roof glazing changes alone.
Can a pergola with adjustable louvres help on an east-facing patio?
Yes, tilting the louvres to near-vertical during low morning sun redirects much of the glare while still allowing airflow, then opening them flat once the sun has moved round, giving you control without a fixed shading structure.
Does the colour of the patio surface affect glare?
Yes, pale paving and light-coloured decking reflect low-angle sun back up into eye level, so darker or matt-finish surfaces can noticeably reduce the reflected glare that a roof or screen cannot block on its own.
Adjustable overhead solutions
Consider a louvred roof or a retractable system. These provide the flexibility to change the overhead cover throughout the day, allowing for full light when the sun is high and total shade when the sun angle becomes problematic.
- 1Check which hours of low sun actually disturb your use of the space
- 2Fit vertical zip screens on the sun-facing open side
- 3Choose a louvred or retractable roof for flexible overhead cover
- 4Consider tinted or solar-control glass if the roof is fixed glazing
In short
Learn how to manage the unique challenges of low-angle sun in east and west-facing gardens with flexible, adjustable shading and screening solutions.
Get it looked at
Ask about flexible shading solutions for your east or west-facing home.
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
Get a free, no-obligation quote. Email a photo of the area plus your preferred width, projection and operation type — and we'll do the rest.