With summer at its peak, you could be forgiven for thinking that your chances of enjoying long, lazy weekend afternoons in the garden are now slim to none. However, thanks to innovative products on the market, you can now spend time in your garden all year round. This means that your home may also have a unique selling point should you ever wish to move on.
Max Grafftey-Smith, director, Green Sense Environment Solutions, says one of the ways to keep your cool outdoors this summer is by misting.
"You can cool down the seated area of your garden by installing a static line misting system," he says. "Typically, in peak summer months this will cool the temperature by up to 10 degrees C, although we have had cases of 15 degrees C.
"It is definitely a unique selling point on a property as it immediately enhances the ambience of the outdoor area."
It is suitable only for gardens that have an overhanging structure such as a gazebo in order to attach the system, says Max.
One Dubai-based homeowner, Mike Wain, has the high-pressure misting system fitted to his garden gazebo. "The system comes with its own filtration [mechanism] and the option of remote control," says Mike. "The temperature drop is regularly 10 degrees C in the summer, which has enabled the whole family to spend time in the garden just as in winter. It has made a massive difference to the functionality of the outside area."
Max says the systems will not cool the entire garden but only the seating areas where one would relax and ultimately enjoy the garden. "Our systems definitely allow you to enjoy the garden significantly more during the wretched summer months."
Installations cost anywhere between Dh15,000 and Dh70,000 for residential properties.
Alternatively, you can cool your garden with evaporative air-conditioning systems. Breezair from Australia produces such units, and these come either fixed or mobile. They cost approximately Dh12,000 to Dh13,000, including installation, and work efficiently even in temperatures as high as 46 degrees C, claims Sabu Abraham, managing director, ClimaGulf, the exclusive distributors of Breezair systems in the UAE.
"During the summer, outdoor cooling can be achieved by doing a couple of things simultaneously. Firstly, by creating a little shade to protect from radiation heat, and secondly by providing a gentle breeze of cool air from an evaporative air cooler providing 100 per cent fresh air to occupants," says Sabu.
Water works
If you are lucky enough to have a swimming pool, that is certainly a great way to remain cool in the garden. However, for those pools without a chiller, rather than being refreshing it might just be like having a dip in a bowl of soup. So now might be the time to prepare for the summer sun by investing in a chiller.
Amirali Somji, general manager of SilverFox Swimming Pools, suggests, "Reversible heat-chill pumps are the way to go. Although slightly expensive, they are extremely efficient. The best part is that you can cool your pool in summer and heat it up in the winter."
Ideally you should install a chiller during the initial construction process. "Since it taps into your pool circulation system, it has to be taken into consideration from the very beginning. You would rather have provisions for a heat-chill pump from the beginning instead of modifying the system at a later date, which might get tricky in terms of parts and space," says Amirali.
There are many different brands of chillers to choose from, adds Amirali. "Vulcan from South Africa is the Rolls-Royce. Depending on the size of the pool, one can expect to pay from Dh15,000 for a tiny paddle pool to upwards of Dh120,000 for a large residential pool."
If funds are limited, though, Amirali says that there is a cheaper alternative to bring down the temperature a couple of degrees — water features and fountains. "It is incredible how you can knock off a couple of degrees by installing a water feature in your garden. People who aren't ready for a heat-chill pump normally use this method and are quite happy with the results; it also provides something pleasant to look at."
Indeed, there are immense possibilities with water features in the garden, and Sunil Sawlani, managing director of Royal Garden Centre, advises, "As temperatures soar with the onset of summer, the mere thought of water cools the mind. The presence of this natural element in your garden makes for much attraction even in the heat. Outdoor fountains come equipped with a pump held within a decorative container that can blend with the overall style and environment you seek to create. Sprays of water around the fountain are quite cooling. Apart from water features, a shady gazebo in the garden offers solace in the heat."
Paving the way
But where better to place that gazebo than close to garden paving that will not dazzle your eyes with the glare of the sun, or reflect the heat?
When it comes to paving, Sunil adds, "Considering the hot climate of the region, lighter shades of sandstone and slate paving, such as beige or pink, are recommended. Additionally, Bradstone, from the UK, specialises in concrete paving products that are durable yet beautiful. These are designed to appear like natural stone but with the resilience and properties of concrete, which also prevent overheating in the sun. Ranging from a classic English look to a trendy Mediterranean or timeless European style, Bradstone paving tiles are versatile and long-lasting."
With everything from paving, chillers in the pool and even garden cooling systems in place, you can be assured that this summer will be your coolest yet.
