How to shade my patio

[tallyho8]

The evening sun makes my patio unbearable for about 2 hours until it gets low enough to go behind some trees. I am trying to think of a good way to block the sun yet still let air pass through this area. Something like louvers, etc. If the roof was straight here I would put up a bamboo shade to raise and lower as needed.

In the photo, the area marked in red is where the sun comes through and needs to be blocked.

I am planting a new tree but it will be many years before it is large enough to provide the shade because it is not too close to the house.

Any ideas?

 

[ustmd]

We have dealt with this problem in two ways:

1. We ordered some outdoor fabric from fabricguru.com and made outdoor curtains (used metal grommets and hung them on a coated metal wire).

2. I got some old metal water troughs and turned them into planters for bamboo. The bamboo is tough and hardy, grows fast and if you plant it in a horse trough, you keep it contained. Also, if you put the troughs on blocks, you can move them with some forks.

Good luck.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm thinking you need a massive rock wall with an outdoor fireplace!!!!

Eddie

 

[teg]

http://amenityarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/arbors.jpg

Build a shade trellis to block the sun... and you can grow vines on them.

 

[JamesHW]

Check this out: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Idirectmart-Triangle-Shade-Sail-Inches/dp/B004OQ4SLI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1325818274&sr=8-4]Amazon.com: Idirectmart Triangle Sun Shade Sail 16 Feet 5 Inches - Sand Color: Patio, Lawn & Garden[/ame]

 

[tallyho8]

Thanks for the ideas so far. I park my car in the spot I took the photo from and enter the patio from that side so I can not block off that side with a wall or with plants growing from the ground up.

I need to just block the area from about 6 1/2' off the ground to the top of the patio but not block all the air flow or it will get really hot in there in summer.

I could get a piece of shade screen custom made to hang there but I really don't think it would look real nice.

I don't know if there is some way to get some white aluminum louvers custom made to go up there or even who to contact about such a project.

 

[Western]

I'm thinking you need a massive rock wall with an outdoor fireplace!!!!

Eddie

Heck ya! great idea, then a couple of outdoor speakers and a card table. Who needs to be indoors