Creating shade can be as simple as strategically planting a tree on the south or west side of the home. Not only will a tree (or any other shade structure) keep you cool outside, but it also reduces the amount of energy it takes to cool your house down.
Question: Does the pavement get so hot that it can actually cook an egg?
Answer: I have not performed the cook-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk trick, but I did take the temperature of various surfaces around the Romero home.
The test took place at 2 p.m. when the outdoor temperature was 112 degrees in the direct sun (no shade). Rosie took the temperature with an infrared thermal imaging gun.
Results: (Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees)
• Green lawn: 102 degrees
• Gray troweled concrete: 128 degrees
• Travertine 136 degrees
• Flagstone, depending on the color: 144 to 152 degrees — the lighter the color, the cooler the temperature
• Saltillo tile: 145 degrees
• Concrete pavers: 146 degrees
• Trex composite decking: 150-175 degrees, depending on the color
• Natural redwood decking: 154 degrees
• Native Arizona soil: 156 degrees
• Black asphalt street: 176 degrees
