A true outdoor oasis just cannot be considered complete without a few things…
- Lighting (if you’re doing this right you’ll definitely be out past dark),
- Water (hot tub or pool will suffice),
- Shelter (cabana ideally or deluxe pool shed at the least),
- and those bare necessities (bathroom, sink, fridge/ cooler etc.)
Once you've arranged the above basics there is still one more category that is a MUST for our outdoor oasis.
Electronics.
While electronics can encompass many things, today we'll be discussing an outdoor television.
If there is a finer touch to your outdoor living space that can be made beyond having an outdoor television, we’re not aware of what it is.
Having a proper big screen TV is the absolute game changer when it comes to backyard retreats.
But if you are looking for a television for your outdoor oasis, what should you know?
First things first, do NOT go running down and grab the first 50 inch TV you find on sale. When it comes to outdoor television you will want a specifically designed TV that is built for the outdoors.
There are basically two types. Shade series and full sun series.
Obviously the shade series would be used if you’re under a cabana or awning and the full sun series would be used in areas without shade.
Beyond this, what really separates outdoor televisions from their indoor brethren first and foremost is its brightness. You need a MUCH brighter screen than what indoor televisions use (if you want to be able to see anything anyways).
When considering outdoor televisions make sure its display panel is bright enough.This is measured by the amount of nits which is its brightness measure.
The next criteria to consider is to ensure that the television you are considering has an anti reflective coating, as well as an official ingress protection rating which is its water and dust resistance.
Finally we recommend you get a good outdoor sound bar. This is crucial. The fact of the matter in the never ending drive to make televisions larger and thinner, something had to be sacrificed, and that something was the was the speakers. Outdoor sound bars are water proof and acoustically tuned to perform better outside. (As a side-note, what we just said goes for indoor televisions as well).
The next logical question all good Canadians will quickly wonderer, do you have to bring the televisions in during the winter?
No, as long as you ensure the outdoor television you purchase is built for Canadian winters you can feel free to leave it outside year round so you can enjoy your big screen while you’re in your January hot tub soaks.