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Vancouver Sun
5 days ago
- Climate
- Vancouver Sun
Umbrellas, sails, awnings and gazebos — how to choose the best sun block for your space
Summertime, and the living is easy. Unless you're overheated and sweaty, desperately trying to sidestep the sun's punishing rays. And punishing they are: According to Melanoma Canada , the leading cause of skin cancer is overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. Extreme heat events , like the 2021 heat dome, are also becoming more common. So, to save your skin and keep your cool while enjoying the great outdoors, you'll need to throw some shade. Following are some suggestions, from an economical sail or patio umbrella to an elaborate (and costlier) pergola or gazebo. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Not only are umbrellas and sails budget-friendly, but they're also portable and adaptable to small spaces, especially balconies. And modern weather-resistant fabrics offer a wide choice of colour and pattern in addition to that most important of considerations, UV protection. While any umbrella shade is better than no shade, some marketing claims that they block up to 98 per cent of UV rays may be more promotional than scientific. The effectiveness of certain colours is also up in the air. Some marketers claim darker colours absorb more rays while lighter colours supposedly reflect more light. 'I don't know if there's any conclusive information on that,' says Stuart Ilott, president at Burnaby-based Wizard Screen Solutions , which also operates Patio Gurus . 'I know that darker materials attract more heat, and you'll feel that sitting underneath. They also feel darker and smaller. A lighter colour material feels more open and airy.' Ilott says all Patio Gurus' umbrella materials are 100 per cent solution-dyed acrylic, which is the most durable and colour fast. 'Vinyl is very limited in colour options, and the material doesn't breathe at all.' Matt Vandenberg, president at Chilliwack-based Vandenberg Landscapes , says darker colours also fade faster. 'Even a high-quality darker fabric is going to go from a black to a charcoal, or a charcoal to a grey, faster than a brown, beige and other lighter colour.' Aside from fabric, Vanessa Rienau, general manager at Livingspace Outdoor, says to consider where you're going to hoist that sail or umbrella: 'Which direction does the sun come from so you can best angle it? How windy is the area? How much space do you want it to cover? Umbrella sizes can range from eight feet to 20 feet and weigh anywhere from 100 pounds to 800 pounds. Do you prefer a square, round, rectangular shape? Also consider furniture, trees, shrubs or other structures that could inhibit the opening and closing of the umbrella. Do you need it to tilt? Also, does it need to be mounted to the ground, requiring pouring of concrete, or will it have a weighted base?' Rienau says a good-quality cantilever umbrella can range from $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the brand, model and size. 'Some high-end umbrellas are designed to last a long time, offering repairable/replaceable parts. Other umbrellas are less expensive, not easily repairable, and designed to be replaced after a few years.' Regardless, she advises caring for any umbrella. Always keep it closed when not in use, especially in high winds. 'Never leave it open in a tilted position, since wind could send it sailing across the yard. If you live near the sea, regularly rinse your umbrella of airborne salt, especially before packing it away for the winter.' Sails are even more versatile — and cheaper. Available in a range of shapes, sizes and styles, from triangles, squares and rectangles of 6.5 x 6.5 up to 10 x 13, shade sails work best in a smaller space, but you could layer multiple sails to cover a larger area. Sails are a little less resistant to weather, however, with heavy rain risking tears and leaks. High-quality material like acrylic or high-density polyester is more durable and offers better UV protection. Cost depends on size and material, but you can expect to pay between $50 to $600, even more to have it installed professionally. If maintained and cleaned regularly, a good sail should last anywhere from five to 15 years. These easy-to-operate (and easy on the budget) options can range anywhere from $130 to $200 and can be up and shady in under 10 minutes. Sized at about 13' x 13', flexible canopies can be adjusted easily for height and will fold down for easy storage. Outdoor curtains block not only harmful UV rays but nosy neighbours' eyes. Available in a range of sizes and materials, from clear vinyl to polyester tarp mesh to light-filtering canvas, these coverings can be hung around decks and patios, gazebos and cabanas. Sizes range from 54' x 96'-plus, and cost anywhere from $25 to $150. Ilott recalls installing an awning for a Surrey homeowner whose patio temperature gauge read 38 C. 'After — 22 degrees, which shows how effective they are at cooling.' Whether manually cranked or motorized, awnings cast a shadow over decks, patios and porches and range in price from $170 to $5,000 depending on size, fabric and make. A good awning is made of UV and water-resistant fabric that resists fading and can even stand up to winds of up to 50 km per hour. Some have wind sensors and will automatically retract in high gusts. 'The material itself has good colour fastness with a fluorocarbon topcoat antifungal treatment,' says Ilott. 'But if your backyard is filled with cedar trees, you'll eventually get some algae growth on the material.' Awnings, umbrellas and sails are generally easy to keep clean, however, using a long soft brush or sponge and a mild soap and warm water solution. These structures are sturdier (and costlier) options made of vertical posts, pillars and beams that either stand alone or attach to a house. They're typically made of wood or metal and are ideal for a larger backyard or garden. A pergola's roof is usually open to allow air flow and partly covers an outdoor space. A gazebo is typically free-standing with a closed roof and can come with built-in benches and tables. They range from $1,000 to $2,000. Neither protect you (or your outdoor furniture) from the elements, dust and dirt. A wood (usually cedar or fir) pergola starts at about $10,000, says Ilott, and doesn't stand up as well over time, needing to be resealed and stained over the years. It's also susceptible to mould and rot. Aluminum pergolas are durable and long-lasting — up to 30 years — and are resistant to rust, warping and cracking. They range from around $1,300 to over $6,000. Vinyl structures are less expensive — anywhere from $950 to over $6,000 — and easier to maintain but more prone to damage from the elements. Vandenberg says a handy homeowner could probably build a wood structure, but metal post and frame is best left to a contractor. He also notes there can be a convoluted permitting process that, depending on your municipality, can be either quick or slow. Ilott says louvered roof systems are becoming more popular, albeit more expensive (ranging from $2,000 for DIY to $35,000 for professional installation). 'They're aluminum so really low maintenance and they can bear the weight of snow, and they have a gutter system for rain. When the sun is out you just tilt the louvres and get full light coming in.' You can't get more natural shade than a broad-leafed tree. There's also the bonus of the beautiful foliage they add to your backyard, not to mention the potential savings on energy bills: B.C. Hydro estimates that shade trees planted on the south or west sides of homes can reduce cooling costs by as much as 35 per cent. But with newer homes being built on smaller acreage, there's precious space for large, stately shade trees. Better options include species that are narrow and vertical. Still, a good deciduous tree can cast a nice shadow. The downside is that they drop their colourful leaves every fall, making for a laborious cleanup. 'But once the leaves come off, light comes during the winter,' says Vandenberg. 'Maple trees with the bigger leaves work well but they also don't get so big that they become a danger to the house in 20 or 30 years.' He says fast-growing trees are another option, but the downside is they continue to be fast-growing. 'After planting, in 10 years it's perfect, but in 20 years it's probably too big and too close to the house and starting to become a hazard. Too often we're taking out a massive tree and it's very costly.' An alternative, he says, is a pergola or arbour that can be covered in fast-growing vines like clematis, wisteria or honeysuckle. 'They're not only shady, but pretty to look at.'
CBC
27-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Documents suggest B.C.'s hydrogen plans under threat as uncertainty halts 'large-scale' projects
Documents released through a freedom of information request reveal that B.C.'s former energy minister was told last September that at least seven "large-scale hydrogen projects" were being cancelled or paused because of issues including electricity supply, high cost and transportation. The end of one of those plans — Fortescue's Project Coyote — has since been made public, but the documents list six more projects that have been quietly put on ice, including a Prince George clean hydrogen project publicly launched by Premier David Eby last January. All told, the documents outline serious threats to B.C.'s dreams of becoming a leading hydrogen producer — including lack of domestic demand, an "unprecedented" need for electricity and uncertainty around moving volatile chemicals by rail through First Nations land. "Over the past six months, at least seven large-scale hydrogen production projects have paused development or been cancelled due to a range of issues," then energy minister Josie Osborne was told in a briefing note in September 2024. "The government of B.C. will need stronger policy action to support hydrogen production and use to successfully establish a hydrogen economy in B.C." 'Creating jobs and delivering cleaner air' The briefing note was part of a package released earlier this month in response to a freedom of information (FOI) request from a business. Hydrogen's potential as an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil fuels has generated global excitement. It can be produced from domestic resources including natural gas, biomass, and wind or solar power. And when used as fuel to power anything from cars to ships to buildings, hydrogen produces zero to negligible amounts of greenhouse gases — although it has been critiqued for the large amount of energy it takes to create. The B.C. government has embraced the role of hydrogen in hopes of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, developing a strategy"to accelerate the production and use of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and be a world leader in the growing hydrogen economy." In pursuit of that goal, Eby travelled to Prince George last January to announce a project led by Chilliwack-based Teralta Hydrogen Solutions to power a Canfor mill with hydrogen produced as a byproduct from a nearby Chemtrade sodium chlorate production facility. "Our work is creating jobs and delivering cleaner air across the province. B.C.'s hydrogen strategy has paved the way for this project to move forward," Eby said in a news release issued at the time. "Teralta and their partners, Chemtrade and Canfor Pulp, are leaders in fighting climate change through creative solutions that lower carbon emissions, create good-paying jobs for people, and build healthier communities." But according to the FOI documents, that project has since been paused. "Chemtrade ceased sodium chlorate production due to local mill closures, which means no byproduct hydrogen is being produced on site," the documents say. A Teralta spokesperson told CBC News that while the project itself was successful, the closure of the Canfor mill and Chemtrade's decision to stop producing sodium chlorate in Prince George meant it was no longer viable, so the project has been put on hold indefinitely. 'Not cost competitive with its alternatives' The briefing note to Osborne lists five other major project that have been paused: MIXT Energy (McLeod Lake Indian Band) and Mitsubishi's $5-billion green hydrogen and ammonia production project for export on Kerry Lake reserve near Prince George. Shell Canada's Aurora Hydrogen green hydrogen production project for domestic use near Port Moody. TC Energy's green liquid hydrogen export project for northwest B.C. Kanata Clean's blue hydrogen production project for export in northwest B.C. NorthRiver Midstream's blue hydrogen production project for domestic use in Taylor. The documents cite specific concerns for each project, including "electricity availability," "lack of domestic demand" and "transportation of ammonia." A separate briefing note sent to Eby last March sounds an alarm about the demand for electricity from "numerous proposed industrial projects at various stages of advancement that are requesting over 150 megawatts" — including a series of hydrogen projects. "The growth in new industrial customer interconnection requests, both in number and magnitude, requires a broader consideration of how B.C.'s clean electricity resources are managed," the premier was told. "New policy approaches are needed to balance industrial competitiveness with electrification in other sectors of the economy, all while keeping rates affordable." The briefing note to Osborne says while a requirement for large load customers to contribute costs for incremental generation and transmission infrastructure "is considered necessary to protect ratepayers from cost increases, it renders many large-scale hydrogen projects uneconomical." Osborne was also told that B.C. "has not developed a stable domestic market for green hydrogen, primarily due to the high cost of adoption of both hydrogen fuel and hydrogen technologies." The document lists examples of "funding programs and incentives" for would-be producers, but concludes that "even when currently available incentives are stacked, green hydrogen production is not cost competitive with its alternatives, both in domestic and international markets." 'Significant risk to human health and the environment' The challenge of transporting hydrogen is a constant theme in the documents included in the FOI release. One of the most efficient ways of moving hydrogen is by chemically combining it with nitrogen to make ammonia, which can be shipped by rail or boat and then "cracked" back into its separate components at a final destination. "The use of ammonia as a hydrogen energy carrier is considered more energy efficient and uses globally established infrastructure," Eby was told in an information document written last July. "However, when not handled properly, or spilled, ammonia can pose significant risk to human health and the environment due to its flammability, acute toxicity and negative impacts to aquatic ecosystems." The same document says the governments of B.C. and Alberta have been in trilateral discussions with Ottawa — which has jurisdiction over interprovincial rail lines — over issues like safety, liability and engagement with Indigenous communities. "Transporting ammonia by rail across B.C., will require consultation with communities and 26 First Nations along the proposed corridor," Eby was told. "However, rail operations in Canada have a complex and challenging past. Often expansion of the railway network across the country meant land dispossession and undue hardship for First Nations communities along its corridors." 'What's necessary is an energy corridor' CBC reached out to representatives of the projects listed as "paused" in the briefing note. In a statement, TC Energy confirmed the end of its plans. "In 2023/2024, we conducted a pre-feasibility study on liquid hydrogen production," the company told CBC. "The assessment revealed that production costs exceeded market price targets, leading to the decision to not move forward with the opportunity." In an email exchange, Kanata Clean confirmed that its project is paused — as opposed to cancelled — citing both the lack of natural gas capacity in Prince Rupert and the transportation of ammonia as issues. "Ultimately what's necessary is an energy corridor through the province that ends at Prince Rupert, which would include an LNG pipeline and a hydrogen/ammonia pipeline," spokesperson Mark Marissen said in an email. "To make hydrogen projects like this one a reality in B.C., this energy corridor needs to be included in the list of the province's top priorities for expediting, given that this would help us to diversify our markets from the American market in a big way." Kanata Clean CEO Robert Delamar suggested that challenges facing hydrogen projects should be a federal election issue. "We'd like to see an Indigenous Energy Corridor running from Northwest BC to Eastern (and Northern) Canada, with pipelines a core feature of the corridor," Delamar wrote in an email. "Just saying in a federal election that Canada should diversify its trade, obfuscates the reality that this is a multi-generational, multi-party policy failure. We need real, concrete solutions, quickly." Former Liberal environment minister Barry Penner reviewed the FOI documents; he says they show the NDP government's enthusiasm for hydrogen projects is at odds with reality. "If you just take a look at this briefing note, it reveals that the plan is not working out as expected so far," said Penner, who now leads the Energy Futures Initiative, an organization calling for energy policy considerations to include reliability and affordability. "I didn't see any indication of any projects there that are really moving ahead. At best, some have been paused, others have been cancelled outright. It's quite a list, so yes, it's disappointing, but it is not surprising." In a statement to CBC, a spokesperson for the province noted that hydrogen "is a new industry, and many proponents and governments globally are still figuring out how to best develop the sector." "Despite the actions that have been taken by the Province, some proponents have had to make difficult commercial decisions, based on a number of internal and external factors," the statement said.
