Deck shade options

Golfgar4 · Jul 6, 2003

Sorry, the picture didn't come through. We'll try it again! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Mrwurm · Jul 6, 2003

Garry, that sure was a great pictorial and essay on your awning. It sure looks great. To answer your question; our primary purpose is to provide shade so we can actually use our deck. Our deck has a full southern exposure and it's sizzling hot out there from about 8am to 9pm.
I did some measuring today and it seems that the area we actually want to cover is 25 x 25. So, it seems that, comparing to yours, we might get away for about $3000 to $3500. I've priced some other system that are not so durable at $5,000 to $6,000. Thanks for the help. I'll show your pictures to the wife. (this is her project)
Oh, one problem, we don't have the vertical space that you have. We might need a flat roof design. I wonder if they can do that? I'll post a picture tomorrow and you'll see what I mean.

MarkV · Jul 7, 2003

Jerry,
Your original post had me thinking of the shade cloth that greenhouses buy to help with summer sun. I know it comes in large sizes and much be pretty durable. You see commercial grower's use it in fields strung over crop rolls.

If your wife is anything like mine, don't even mention my idea after she has seen the fine set up Garry has.

MarkV

Mrwurm · Jul 7, 2003

Thanks Mark.

Garry, I have attached a picture of my deck that shows the problem. I have an overhang that only provides 8ft of clearance from the deck surface to the underside of the overhang. There does not appear to be enough room to pitch the awning from the house to the outer edge of the deck. I would not be opposed to a 'free-standing' structure that has a peak in the middle that runs parallel to the house. The awning would then be pictched toward the house on one side and toward the edge of the deck on the other. I'll try to find an awning company around here and ask them. I'm sure they have dealt with this before. Thanks

Golfgar4 · Jul 7, 2003

Jerry,

Nice back yard! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Yeah, I see you're problem. If I can get through to him, I'll ask my buddy who runs the company what he recommends in situations like this.

We considered a system that would have had panels of fabric hung between stringers that you could slide in and out. I never reached the point where we actually got into the details, but it was a neat idea. You could close any section of fabric you wanted, and still leave some open. The nice thing was that the panels would be parallel to the decking, so you wouldn't need to worry about any "roof" pitching. I honestly can't tell you where to get more information, but a Google search under the topic of awnings might do the trick.

Or one of the knowledgeable TBN brain trust members will come through, like usual! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

If I find any more infor., I'll let you know. Good luck! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Well, here you go, Shade Tree I did a quick search, and this one was the second site listed. I don't recall if it was the system we were looking at, but it 'll give a good idea of how it works and how you could adapt it for your use.

Mrwurm · Jul 10, 2003

Well, Garry, I'm down to two options. I really like the ShadeTree system that you linked me to. I talked to them on the phone and they said that since their system is mounted 'level', the eight foot clearance to my soffit is no problem. A shadetree system to cover 25 ft by 21ft will cost about $4,300.
Option two is a traditional pole structure awning like you have. The way they deal with a situation like mine is to start the awning on the roof. They have a really slick way of doing this that looks good. I was surprised. One shop wants $10,000 and another is working on a detailed bid, but they estimate $6,500. Because of the size of our proposed awning, a system of trusses will need to be custom built to support it. This adds alot to the cost.

Of course, you know which one the wife wants. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

ShadeTree - Easy to remove panels for winter storage. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Relatively inexpensive. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Traditional awning - Requires team of elephants to install and remove. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Very expensive. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

gerard · Jul 10, 2003

Jerry,
Have you considered a pergola system (I think that's how it spelled). Basically just a lumber frame like you were building a deck but you leave the decking off. You oreient it to the sun and space the joists so that short of when the sun is directly overhead, you get shade but it's still all open to the air. You also have the option of throwing some of the shade cloth over it and then you get protection even at noon. It's a simple do it yourself project, but you don't egt water protection, just shade. You can some really nice treatments to the ends and really dress it up. (I've seen some gorgeous ones all out of cedar with a lot of ornamental woodworking in the trim). Just another consideration.

SnowRidge · Jul 10, 2003

( Have you considered a pergola system (I think that's how it spelled). )

That's what I was going to suggest--although I've never heard the term pergola. The things you learn on TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Anyway, I was going to mention that they can be covered with vines, which will provide extra shade and look quite attractive to boot.

Just don't use Kudzu. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SnowRidge

Golfgar4 · Jul 10, 2003

YIKES! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Those are some pretty hefty price tags you're being quoted! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

( I plan to build some sort of wooden or metal framework to create a roof for shade. )

What happened to your idea of doing it yourself? Or did I misread that, and you really meant that you planned on having built ?

If you're still thinking of doing it yourself, you might check out either HGTV.com or DIYnet.com. I think both of those web sites had the plans and instructions for building the kind of "awning" system similar to Shade Tree. It would save you a bunch of money, and I bet you could figure out a way to use your TC30! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mrwurm · Jul 10, 2003

Garry, I started out with the idea that I would build something like what Gerard mentioned. I searched the net and could not find any ideas or pictures. I'll try some of the other sites mentioned. I would really like to build a wooden structure with some boards oriented to block the sun. I just don't know the right number of boards, spacing, or angles.

If all else fails, it's gonna be an expensive, installed canopy /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif