Deck shade options

SnowRidge · Jul 10, 2003

( 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. )

Search using the terms arbor, trellis, and sunshade--although the latter will probably give you too many junk hits.

The book, "Fences, Decks, and Other Backyard Projects" gives general design guidelines for these structures, but it does not go into how to calculate shade factors. If all else fails, you could sit candidate boards on edge on your deck and vary the spacing to see how the shade would change over the space of the day.

SnowRidge

DavidJ · Jul 10, 2003

If all else fails, you could sit candidate boards on edge on your deck and vary the spacing to see how the shade would change over the space of the day. 

I was gong to suggest the same thing /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Doing that will also let you try different orientations to see what creates the most shade for the most of the day.

jinman · Jul 10, 2003

Golfgar, thanks for the shade tip. I have a 40'x10' deck on my house (see attachment) that I think one of those shades would be perfect for. For the one I want, the cost shold come in well below $3000. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

frank_f15 · Jul 11, 2003

thats quite a deck!you mentioned that u did not have to worry bout snow load, if u are going to take the covering off and then put it back on that is going to be quite a job twice a year.have u given any considerationg to a roll up type awning? could cover the width of the deck but only extend out 1/2 the deck, probably could get side panels to help when the sun is low.. just a thought.

Mrwurm · Jul 11, 2003

Frank, the roll-up type awnings present a problem because of the required pitch. I only have eight feet to the soffit and at 14ft of maximum coverage I'm down to 6ft of headroom. If I can make it work or convince the wife that 14ft of prjection is enough it sure would be a simple solution.
Snow is a concern, but as the wife does not want it covered during the winter, it's not an issue.

dummy · Jul 11, 2003

This might help. pergola or here plans These aren't the ones I was looking for. If I find the others I'll let you know.

mikim · Jul 11, 2003

Jim -
sure like your flag holders -- where'd ya find those?

Golfgar4 · Jul 11, 2003

Jim,

Hope it works out for you. Just remember that my awning is 17' X 17', which is quite a bit smaller than your 40 X 10. You also may not have picked up on the clue that the owner of the company that made our awning is a friend of mine that I golf with!

I think there are enough options out there that you could do it for under $3,000.00. I do know that he puts awnings on decks like yours all the time. I just wanted to make sure that you had all the facts before you jumped in! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jinman · Jul 11, 2003

Mike, I got them at Monterrey Imports in Grapevine, TX. I think they are available at many of these "Texas Star Iron" places that import such things from Mexico. If you want some, I'll be happy to get some for you and mail them to you at my cost. I think they were $20 apiece. Anything with a star on it suddenly costs twice as much. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

jinman · Jul 11, 2003

Garry, I wasn't really clear, but I was referring to the ShadeTree folding canopy product instead of the semi-permanent type you have. I would install the wooden support structure over my deck and then the canopy tracks and sections. It seems to be exactly what I am looking for. After all, I already have a permanent shade underneath my deck. On July 4th I had a big party. It was nearly 100º out, but with misters and a fan, the underside of my deck was a very favorite place for lounging in the shade. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif On top of the deck was "murder." ...hot, hot, hot. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Golfgar4 · Jul 13, 2003

Oh, O.K. I got you now Jim!

Yeah, I think you're right. That would probably work just fine for "upsatirs". Good luck. Make sure you take some pics for us so we can see how it turned out. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mrwurm · Jul 16, 2003

Well, I've been looking at three options from two different companies.

Company 1. Has been working on giving me a firm price for over a week now. They are pricing a fixed awning and a retractable one. I call them everyday and each day they say they will call tomorrow. They don't.

Company 2. Only sells retractable awnings. The salesman came up with a price right away, but when questioned, I realized that this guy knew nothing about what he was selling. He did'nt know the warranty info, materials used, and most importantly, he knew absolutely nothing about the other competing products on the market and why I should buy his.

Does'nt anyone take any interest or pride in their work anymore. I know awning sales is not rocket science, but any job worth doing is worth doing well, right ??

Also, probably won't be building my own as the wife has become quite fond of the canvas awnings. I think this is all Golfgars fault. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I'll bet he even skipped the hardtop in favor of a canvas top for his 'funbuggy'.

Golfgar4 · Jul 16, 2003

( I'll bet he even skipped the hardtop in favor of a canvas top for his 'funbuggy'. )

Geesh, I wish I could do that! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif But I'm saving my money to buy a big brother for FunBuggy, remember? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Seriously Jerry, watch out for those retractable awnings. When we talked with my buddy about them, he admitted that he would sell one to anybody that insisted that they wanted one, but he didn't particularly care for them. He said that you can't have one any larger than 12' out from the house. Anything larger is just too big for the support arms to hold up. And then, if the least little breeze comes up you have to retract them or they'll end up in the land of OZ (sorry Neil!).

So make sure you have ALL of the info about those things before you consider buying one. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

n6ckv · Jul 16, 2003

I have a 20' by 30' deck with an overhead structure for shade. I use a shade cloth cover that I got from Tek Supply (www.teksupply.com) that filters 80% of the light. The shade cloth is used for livestock and for green houses. It is sold at farmers prices rather than home owners prices.

carl

MarkV · Jul 16, 2003

Jerry,

I am wondering if a combination of two options would be worth considering. You have a pretty large deck to cover and the size of the awning seems to be weighing heavily on the price tag. I was sort of visualizing a nice pergola structure with vines on the out side edge of the deck and a canvas system closest to the house. There would be shade all over and a good section out of any rain. The pergola would offer a ridged support for the awning on the outside edge and with that there would be a number of different awning support options. The canvas system would be remove in the winter for the solar heat gain and the pergola would be great to hang the bird feeders on in the winter.

MarkV

fivestring · Jul 16, 2003

Jerry, while you're busy with that deck, can I borrow a guitar?????
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Mrwurm · Jul 16, 2003

Gary, you must be referring to my thread about loaning stuff out. I'd be glad to loan you my classical guitar that I got when I was about ten years old. Heck, I'll even loan you my Yamaha Electric Stratocastor Knock-Off. But, I'll definately not be loaning you my Translucent Cherry Flamed-Maple Takamine Acoustic Electric. I'm not quite sure how I'd wrestle it back from a law man.

fivestring · Jul 17, 2003

Yes, I was. I still have my first guitar....1967 Yamaha classical guitar... bought brand new when I was 8. Doun't use it for Bluegrass, though!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mrwurm · Jul 21, 2003

Well, we finally ordered our awning. We could not get a fixed canvas awning built at any price. Seems, no one is interested in that kind of work around here. We looked at retractable awnings but they don't come big enough. We ended up ordering the ShadeTree awning. It's 25 x 17 with premium (upgraded fabric) for $4,700. A retractable awning was about $5,500 for a 25 x 13. The attached photo is similiar to what ours will look like.

Golfgar4 · Jul 22, 2003

Nice! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

If you enjoy yours half as much as we enjoy ours, you're going to love it! Once you get it up, make sure and post a picture. We're going to want to see how your TC30 fits in there! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif