Throwing shade:
 

If you wanted to cover the area pictured below, how would you do it? Off the cuff, from least to most expensive, I was thinking some kind of massive tarp fastened to the house somehow and stretched to the fence.

A more substantial solution would be a large portico or carport built w lumber and maybe a corrugated metal roof.

What say the brain trust? :cool:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528958788.jpg

What about a pipe tent?

A fabric roof would need support across such a span, maybe tubes sewn into pockets . You would have to calculate potrntial wind and rain loads and then frame accordingly.

A pergola partly covered with metal roof where complete shade is preferred.

Wind is definitely a factor.

This....

We used to have a semi permanent shelter we would setup with some pieces of 3 or 4 inch flexible back water pipe and the vinyl face off an old billboard.

Made a nice big Quonset hut style shade structure.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_HEWxsydOss" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

cantilevered structure covered by photovoltaic tile

Wind seems to destroy everything we try to put up. People in town have no idea what real wind is. A solid roof with open sides will act like a trampoline, and end up bouncing. I like the idea of a pergola with the verticle slats which would give shade except for direct, overhead mid-day sun.

I've seen a smaller area covered by several things like that. THe fabric was porous (like a fine, loose knit) so some light came through and that also helped make it lighter so there was less sag (until it rained). That was my first thought as well.

Shade sail but made out of nursery shade cloth. It's used by greenhouses and nurseries (plant, not infant) for shade. It's ultra lightweight, you can get it from 10%-80% light blocking, is porous so allows rain through but also prevents it from ripping around and flapping in the wind. It's quite strong stuff and it's made to be in the sun for years so it won't break down.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528980107.jpg

We are going to be redoing our back deck and will be adding a Pergola with movable slats.

Some ideas here: Pergola with mobile slats - All architecture and design manufacturers - Videos

Coolbreeze™ DIY Aluminum Pergola Kits by Nexan

I have something like this in a similar area in front of my shop, but instead of the support running through the material, the material has grommets and I connect it to a cable with industrial zip ties. The one over my shop is 32x26 and has lasted for 5 years so far. I just ordered a new one, as there is some mechanical damage from abrasion. The new one cost me $325 shipped, and I'm actually just going to double them up - install the new one under the old one for a while.

I used a product similar to the Shade Sails to provide shade over a parking space behind my house. It's made by Coolaroo and was sourced from Costco (also available from Amazon). A 13' X 7' rectangular shape was less than $40 and claims a 90% reduction in UV rays. Unlike canvas, it's very lightweight and porous so wind doesn't have a major effect on it. Products

I also have a more portable canopy covering another parking area that works quite well. It's from a company called Shelterlogic. They have several different options for protecting outdoor spaces. https://www.shelterlogic.com/shop/canopies

Wind will be your nemesis in this deal. Nursery shade cloth is tough stuff, but even that will be degraded by UV light and need periodic replacement.

DO NOT attach it to the house, make it freestanding. Trees would be even better, but obviously would take a while. There are some really fast growing trees that would shorten that timeline, but that is looking like desert with no good place to plant them.

How 'bout a giant motorized awning like they show on TV?

This company in Paramount has all the colors of shade cloth and a few different densities. The thing is, you can buy huge covers right off the shelf all the way down to 6 x 8. They also have a ton of the hardware to the point that you can pick and choose to assemble just about anything you need. I think they also sell large, large party tents. They are wholesale to the walk in public.

https://www.ptmtarps.com/

Hey Thom, when I called my local nursery, they only had that shade cloth in 6' rolls. Where are you finding large squares like that? Or is it bands of 6'? :cool:

I don't know what your wind loads are in your area but anything fabric can take off like a kite unless you can remove it in a hurry.

I would build a pergola with substantial columns near the fence line. This is one my brother and I did earlier this year which is more oriental in style but you could do a hacienda style to match your house with thicker slats and adobe style rendering on the columns

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1529383543.jpg