Advice on a rainproof sunshade for a problematic pergola

James Peach · 14 Sep 2021 at 14:00

I have a pergola now. Look at me. With my pergola.

The problem is that it has no top. And it's flush against the wall on one side and another side is the end of the balcony which makes most sun sails fairly off limits because
a) I'd have to place it flush along the wall on one side and
b) even if I did that the sides bow in so I'd get rain water on the seat.

I made a video not explaining the problem very well.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hfa6ti0zht6yvyc/IMG_5397.MOV?dl=0

Do you have any ideas? I found one place but it seems like their "shade" is 950gsm pvc which, I suspect, is more like a blackout blind than a sunshade.

I don't really know what to do. Here is a picture.

And here's what a sun shade would look like.

I don't think I want one that concertinas but I'd be up for one that comes out mechanically. Mostly I want to be dry and not have the beating sun on me.

Video to follow shortly.

Firestar_3x · 14 Sep 2021 at 14:04

Buy a larger sized sun shade and a staple gun, put the material on the top, starting at the back edge beam top and staple your way forward.

James Peach · 14 Sep 2021 at 15:34

Firestar_3x said:
Buy a larger sized sun shade and a staple gun, put the material on the top, starting at the back edge beam top and staple your way forward.

I OWN A STAPLE GUN. But isn't the curve on the sun shade part of the fabric? I.e would I be able to actually staple it flush?

Any idea how I'd get it to be angled to get rid of the rain water?

Firestar_3x · 14 Sep 2021 at 16:10

You need to buy a larger rectangular one or just some waterproof fabric and make it as tight as possible, the roof looks sloped anyway.

Not an idea solution but without spending more money none will be.

James Peach · 14 Sep 2021 at 16:35

Firestar_3x said:
You need to buy a larger rectangular one or just some waterproof fabric and make it as tight as possible, the roof looks sloped anyway.

Not an idea solution but without spending more money none will be.

any suggestions for waterproof fabric that doesn't completely block out the sun?

gort · 14 Sep 2021 at 18:32

James Peach said:
any suggestions for waterproof fabric that doesn't completely block out the sun?

Polytunnel fabrics, which offer varying levels of light diffusion.

gailjon · 15 Sep 2021 at 10:16

That's why I haven't got a pergola. Why, in the UK, would you create a large structure that doesn't protect you from the sun on the good days or from rain on all the other days? Really the only thing that would do what you want would be a poly-carbonate I think. Either the corrugated type of sheets that are sold with some gazebos to protect from sun and rain. The angle could be relatively shallow to allow rain run off.

Some examples here: https://www.varicoltd.com/polycarbonate.html

Ukadder · 15 Sep 2021 at 12:16

What about a retractable canopy fitted under the cross beams, would be a nice close fit so fairly shaded? could be mounted side ways so the water runs off towards the railings.

How to Build a DIY Retractable Pergola Canopy (thespruce.com)

James Peach · 16 Sep 2021 at 14:24

gailjon said:
That's why I haven't got a pergola. Why, in the UK, would you create a large structure that doesn't protect you from the sun on the good days or from rain on all the other days? Really the only thing that would do what you want would be a poly-carbonate I think. Either the corrugated type of sheets that are sold with some gazebos to protect from sun and rain. The angle could be relatively shallow to allow rain run off.

Some examples here: https://www.varicoltd.com/polycarbonate.html

Damn. I don't want a hard roof.
I'm sure there's something that's soft and waterproof, no?

James Peach · 16 Sep 2021 at 14:25

Ukadder said:
What about a retractable canopy fitted under the cross beams, would be a nice close fit so fairly shaded? could be mounted side ways so the water runs off towards the railings.

How to Build a DIY Retractable Pergola Canopy (thespruce.com)

that's not a bad shout.
Think building it might be beyond me though.

dlockers · 16 Sep 2021 at 21:45

Oh man please keep this content coming.

Is your house an actual legal dwelling? With the painted exposed brick, 6" thick floorboards, and now this roof-top setting, it looks like you live in the lift plant room of a high rise?

James Peach · 17 Sep 2021 at 12:16

dLockers said:
Oh man please keep this content coming.

Is your house an actual legal dwelling? With the painted exposed brick, 6" thick floorboards, and now this roof-top setting, it looks like you live in the lift plant room of a high rise?

Define "legal"

It's an old building. God knows what has happened here.

I think that I'm erring on the side of having a sun sail and then a separate thing that comes over for the rain. The problem now is that the ones I find are all shop awnings and, you know, they often say "rain resistant" or - even worse - "will withstand the odd rain shower."

Anyway. All I really want is a rain cover that goes above the pergola (somehow) and comes out when it rains. Probably motorised. With HomeKit compatibility. For not much money.

Semple · 17 Sep 2021 at 13:16

James Peach said:
Damn. I don't want a hard roof.
I'm sure there's something that's soft and waterproof, no?

I think the problem you'll see with a soft material is that unless it's at an obvious angle for run off, a small angle is likely to not be enough for run-off and will just result in pooling in the middle. Then with too much rain it'll sag in the middle and then split. Also how high up are you? You may find the wind could do a bit of damage to softer materials.

I guess in one way it's a shame to cover it all as if you get a bit of sun it'll be quite nice out. But versus creating a shade, or weatherproofing it from wind/rain. You need to decide how much you want to cover.

James Peach · 18 Sep 2021 at 22:35

Semple said:
I think the problem you'll see with a soft material is that unless it's at an obvious angle for run off, a small angle is likely to not be enough for run-off and will just result in pooling in the middle. Then with too much rain it'll sag in the middle and then split. Also how high up are you? You may find the wind could do a bit of damage to softer materials.

I guess in one way it's a shame to cover it all as if you get a bit of sun it'll be quite nice out. But versus creating a shade, or weatherproofing it from wind/rain. You need to decide how much you want to cover.

That’s why I figured a sun sail and then something above that too that only comes downs when it’s raining. I’m a bit lost.

Usel · 19 Sep 2021 at 10:19

What about a retractable side awning. They are meant to stand vertical but I can't see why you can't use it horizontal with a bit of modding.

They pull out of a cassette and are spring loaded and if you only pull it out 1-2m it should hold pretty tight without sagging. No good if it gets really windy.

Dis86 · 19 Sep 2021 at 12:18

You want to be dry and not have the sun on you?

Go indoors and open a window.

radderfire · 19 Sep 2021 at 12:45

If you put any form of roof up, have you considered where the rain is going to drain to? There are probably building regulations about that.

Dis86 · 19 Sep 2021 at 12:52

radderfire said:
If you put any form of roof up, have you considered where the rain is going to drain to? There are probably building regulations about that.

There are building regs all over this thing but they've clearly been ignored!

James Peach · 19 Sep 2021 at 14:20

Dis86 said:
There are building regs all over this thing but they've clearly been ignored!

that's NOT TRUE and I RESENT .. no actually that's fair enough.

radderfire said:
If you put any form of roof up, have you considered where the rain is going to drain to? There are probably building regulations about that.

There's a drain that the water from the balcony goes to. I figured if the "roof" ended before the end of the balcony it would all go to that drain.

James Peach · 19 Sep 2021 at 14:21

Dis86 said:
You want to be dry and not have the sun on you?

Go indoors and open a window.

I want to feel the breeze; I just don't want direct sunlight. I don't understand people who don't mind baking. I always prefer the shade. Perhaps this is why, when nude, I look like a milk bottle.