shade cloth..ever use it?

[saltbranch]

Looking to make an inexpensive shade for Rv's at the ranch. Came across the shade cloth...anyone ever use it? Hard to work with? Suggestions on brands? I see that they use it for cattle shade also. I want to shade about 40' x 40' area for 2 RV's

 

[ThomasH]

Back in the 70s we sold bronze shade cloth, and people put it in screen porches typically. It worked great, but was somewhat pricy at 10x the cost of regular screen wire.

 

[saltbranch]

This is what I am thinking about trying. I found a 40'x 40' with grommets for about 550.00
Combating Heat Stress with Cattle Shades - YouTube
Shade Cloth 60% Shade - GEMPLER'S

 

[rich_ncal]

I had some green sun screen material, unknown brand, on the side of a car port and on the side of a porch. It worked well but only lasted 2-3 years. It would be good to hear from others but I expect you have to replace the material or a regular basis as it deteriorates with sun exposure.

 

[Western]

Wish I could help you more. Back in the early 90's I bought about 2000' in 6'x100'rolls for Our Ostrich pens. All I can remember is the company mostly made shade cloth for automotive dealerships (hail cloth). consequently, the material I had was very strong and lasted over 10 years, but it was hung on 6' fence, not overhead. It took the abuse from the Male Ostriches in stride, (they fight between the fences, hence the "cloth")

If it was me, I would ordered it pre-cut (cut to fit) with the grommets already set in at least a double fold edge, I would not want to have to add grommets no matter how easy they claim. Mine was Black, but for overhead I would look for a Blue or other light color, may add less wear from the sun.

 

[GLyford]

I have a green sail I put up over my beck deck every spring and take down every fall, I believe it's a "Coolaroo" brand. I want to say it's 4m (13ft) square or so, but it's not a perfect square, the sides are scalloped in about a foot on each side so it handles the tension better. It's got stainless hardware at the corners.

It's lasted 8 or 9 years at this point, though I can see it's starting to get a little crispy from the sun on the top surface. Makes a big difference in how much heat comes in the house from the slider (faces WSW) and makes the deck usable. I try to take it down any time we have a big storm forecast, though I've missed a couple.

 

[L355SS]

You need to consider the framing structure requirements to hold up the shade cloth, and a somewhat convenient method to get the cloth into position 12' up or more. Securely anchored so as to handle wind gusts.
Dennis

 

[Redbug]

Here's a good link from where I order my heavy duty tarps...
Shade Cloth

 

[T Dew]

I've used a fair amount of shade cloth for different shading applications around koi ponds in the past. It is a great idea, but it is not always the easiest to put into practice. As stated above the mounting method is the most difficult consideration. It will have to be securely mounted and then drawn really tight to withstand the wind and weather. The best products are also rather pricey, but they hold up a lot better than the economy priced options. That is always the case, but "inexpensive" solution can add up quickly. By the times you figure out a way to suspend that much material and then put the idea into practice it might be the ideal solution you're looking for. It did help cut back on the UV as well as the heat, so it is effective if mounted properly.

 

[grnspot110]

You might also check Farmtek FarmTek - Hydroponic Fodder Systems, Farming & Growing Supplies, Hoop Barns, Poultry & Livestock Equipment, High Tunnels, Greenhouses & More

 

[saltbranch]

This is what I am considering now. After speaking to a Distributor, he suggests 9' wide do to pricing and the area i want to cover. According to him 9' wide sheets are more cost effective. I have the pipe to fab with so that cost is covered, I can cover the welding/fab part. I like the portable idea, but honestly I could use corrugated tin to cover and come out cheaper I think. Plus later on I could enclose and make a storage building or what ever out of it. Function is more important than looks for me, this is in the middle of the So. Tx brush and not many people are going to see it.
Still undecided right now

 

[T Dew]

If it is going to be close to size of the RV's it might be nice to use the shade cloth for the sake of air circulation around them. Tin on the roof might be nice and shade cloth on the sides. Having formerly lived in TX I'm all for getting them out of the sun when not in use.

 

[Reyer Farms]

Second the motion of Farmtek ! They got just about everything you need. They are great to deal with, super helpful.

 

[T Dew]

If he has the piping already to build what he was talking about he can save a lot of money ordering anything from Farmtek. That being said, I'm going to order myself a new structure from Farmtek as temporary housing for a tractor while I am building a new house for it. I hate it when reading someone else's posts causes me to spend a couple thousand dollars.

 

[saltbranch]

If it is going to be close to size of the RV's it might be nice to use the shade cloth for the sake of air circulation around them. Tin on the roof might be nice and shade cloth on the sides. Having formerly lived in TX I'm all for getting them out of the sun when not in use.

Thats about what i am thinking right now. I have 20-30 joints of 2-3/8" pipe to use. I need to double check, but I think if I keep it portable it should not effect property tax like a permanent structure

 

[Western]

With that much pipe, some purlin and the tin you mentioned, it would almost last a lifetime. As far as the tax issue, the new" feed stall" your building may work real good with an Ag exemptions