Sun Shade - Ideas please

valve90210

valve90210

valve90210

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17 Jan 2006
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At the back end of my garden I have a lovely patio area (pic above) (in need of slabs which will happen one day...) which gets lovely sunshine right until the end of the day. It's so nice to have the sun but on really hot days there is little in the way of shade which can be a problem.

In the past I've used an umbrella in a cable reel table at the front of the area to give a bit of shade but from the early afternoon onwards it provides very little shade as the sun is coming in more from the front than above.

I've been trying to think of ways I could create some sort of shade with either a free-standing sun shade, or maybe even curtains to pull across the front of the pergola to give shade to the seating area. I'm sure either of these would be workable options (especially the curtain idea) however there is one ridiculous criteria which I have to work to, any solution must not flap or billow if it's a windy or breezy day!

I know that sounds crazy but I have a stupid irrational phobia of things flapping in the wind (think washing on the line, flags, tents etc), and if I had something that flaps or billows I wouldn't be able to sit out in the garden which would rather defeat the point...:D:(

Has anyone got any thoughts about what I might be able to produce to give me some shade but with peace of mind over the sound of flapping! :)
 
Really an umbrella doesn't work too well due to the position of the sun coming in from the front I'm thinking more along the lines of some sort of screen or something?
 
Long term I'd be looking to grow a plant over it; Jasmin or Himalayan Musk Rose. That is, after all, what they are for.
Immediate thoughts are not forthcoming I'm afraid.

E: Cantilever umbrella? Thats actually the same as a banana stand umbrella. Didn't know that.
 
Could you make up a panel of slats like a brise soleil type of thing and size it to sit on the pergola roof or be propped upright depending on sun position/wind etc?
 
After a good bit of thinking yesterday, I think I may have come up with a workable idea that should give a decent amount of shade...hastily scribbled drawing below.

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I'm thinking, the red parts would be aluminium poles, the blue would be fabric. My idea is that the upright pole would hook in place at the top and bottom to keep it in place. then at the bottom it would be hinged so the angled pole can swing out to the angle shown and hook in place in the middle of the top of the pergola. The top of the fabric could also have eyelets so it could be hooked up at the top along the front of the pergola to minimise movement/flapping. The angled pole I'm thinking of getting telescopic tubing so it can be made shorter to enable it to hook out of the way on the same hook as the top of the upright pole when not in use. And I can have come sort of curtain tie back to stop the fabric flapping about when not in use.

This week/weekend I think I'll have a quick test of my idea with some old fabric and bits of wood to see if it does provide some decent shade and if so I don't think it'll be too hard to actually produce.
 
You not looked in to sail shades, they can be used in many different ways. We are in a similar situation with regards to escaping the sun and with high walls and fences the garden is a heat trap.

I ordered a sail shade and fittings last week, just not arrived yet.
 
I’m interested in doing something similar to cover a bbq area. If the fabric was bought online does it need to be sewn at the edges (think it’s called a seam?) to stop it fraying or can it just be cut? I don’t have a sewing machine so may not be able to go down the diy route.
 
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