After spending the time last summer to put a deck in my backyard, I found out just how hot it gets back there during July and August. Since there really isn’t any shade to speak of, we didn’t spend very much time at all enjoying our yard.
So this year, I’m thinking of getting some kind of shelter to go over our deck. You can see examples of the kind I’m thinking of here (fancy) or here (plain). What I’m afraid of is that if it gets really windy, neither of these will stand up very well. The ones I’ve looked at in the store don’t look easy to put up or take down, so it’s not really an option to do that whenever the wind picks up. The plain one does have a foot at each corner that can be fastened to a deck, but I don’t know if the roof will still end up flying away in the middle of the night.
So do any Dopers have experience with these types of deck shelters? How do they stand up in the wind? Anything I should look for? Thanks!
Your links are a little hinky.
I didn’t wish to sign up.
Assuming you are talking about some sort of fabric awning, I have no experience with them.
Have you identified exactly what directions the sun is coming from at the time of day you most wish to use the deck? You may be able to obtain shade from something other than a complete cover.
One simple option, tho probably inadequate by itself, is an umbrella for your table. You can get very large ones, as well as ones that can be tilted for different times of the day.
You might be able to either put a trellis or plant some tall shrubs on the sunniest side of the deck, providing additional shade.
I have seen several decks where they install permanent wooden structures over the decks. Not solid roofs, but rather boards on end spaced maybe 8-12 inches apart. Provides interesting shadows but does not stop breezes. And you can train plants across them.
Hope this gives you some ideas.
The permanent wooden structures Dinsdale refers to are called Pergola’s. They’re designed to allow heat gain when you need it (in the winter time) and provide shade by allowing climbing vines to cover the overhead grid in the summertime. (the vines die back and allow sun to shine through in the fall/winter) Here’s a link to a list of plans for some pretty good looking examples.
Pergola! That’s the word I was looking for.
Thanks, NYW and welcome to the boards.
Not sure those fancy columns in the plans you link are exactly to my taste, but to each his own. I have seen some where the uprights were simply extensions of uprights used for railings (on porches or raised decks. Could be either 4X4s or - probably better - laminated out of glued and screwed 2x4s.
A lot depends on exactly what evil’s sun problems are - how exposed his deck is and what direction. A combination of elements might be better than a single solution.
One more I forgot to add - you might be able to incorporate a ceiling fan. They have started making more “weatherproof” models, and the air circulation can be cooling as well as keep insects away.
Sorry about the links not working properly. I fogot that Canadian Tire requires a Postal Code to view products on their website. As you suspected Dinsdale, they are a square canvas gazebo-type thing, approximately 10x10. You can see slightly fancier examples here (hopefully this link works better than the last ones).
We’ve tried using a couple of patio umbrellas for shade, but that didn’t work very well, since we’d have to move them or us around all the time. The Pergola is a nice idea, but I don’t think I’ll have the time or money this summer to do it. Thanks for the suggestions though, I’ll keep them in mind for later.
I’m not sure of the exact orientation, but , my deck is in the sun for pretty much the whole afternoon, from about 1:00 pm on.
Thanks Dinsdale and NewYankeeWanabee for your help!
Those wood and canvas gazebos look really nice (IMO). I was afraid you were talking about some kind of roll out awning or something, which (also IMO) might look kinda cheesey.
The wind would be my primary concern. How much does a replacement top cost?
One thing that would weigh against this in my mind, is that it looks a little expensive for what seems in effect a somewhat temporary solution. I may be wrong, tho, and they may be engineered such that they will last for years. Check out the guarantee/service carefully.
Hope you find a solution that allows you to enjoy the deck.
Here’s a really stupid little suggestion, but you might consider a container water garden. Include a spitter/fountain, and the sound of flowing/splashing water will help give the impression of refreshment. Not enough alone, but a little tweak you might incorporate into your overall plans.
I’ve built a couple of Pergola type structures and they have held up very well. (We went for the more simple looking posts rather than columns).
It is VERY windy here in OKC and they have held up just fine. If you have someone competant build it (or are able to do it right yourself), you shouldn’t have problems. Of course, if it gets so windy that your houses’s roof gets damaged, the Pergola may sustain some damage. (I know… Der!)
btw, when I saw the title for this thread, I misread it and thought some pretty naughty things.
I’m basically looking at two different types of gazebos. The fancier one looks similar to the one in the upper right picture of my working link. The plain one is the same idea, but without the lattice in the corners. Instead, there is just an aluminium pole (covered in the same canvas as the top). The pole has a foot that can be screwed into the deck.
The plain one is about $60 CAN, the fancy one about twice that, so it’s not a huge expense. I imagine the fancier ones in the site I linked to are quite a bit more money.
NoClueBoy, I wondered if someone would scan that title wrong. I figured I might get more interest in my thread that way (maybe I should have put TMI in the title too ;))
$60-120 is pretty cheap, especially if it will encourage you to use your deck more. And if it doesn’t work, like you said, you won’t be out too much.
And it is cheap enough that you can use it for a couple of years, and then if you want to try something else, you won’t mind just tossing it.
Another factor - how long are you planning on staying in your house? A pergola-like structure is far more permanent and (probably) less maintenance, and may be a selling point.
The only thing to worry about is, if you affix it to your deck, in a strong wing, the whole thing is likely to lift off the ground and blow across town!
You don’t know how true that could be. The deck I built uses deck blocks, and isn’t fastened to either the blocks or the house. I’d hate to have some kind of “Wizard of Oz” accident happen, especially since a deck falling on a witch probably wouldn’t kill her, just tick her off.
You’re right that $60-$120 isn’t alot of cash in the long run, but I’m cheap, and don’t want to lose that money the first time the wind blows. I’m still hoping that someone who’s actually owned one of these things will chime in. Thanks for the advice though!
