I need SHADE!

**Deadwood** · 03-18-2017, 07:29

My hammock lounging spot is on my deck and it's great, except in the summer. The deck is south facing and in full sun from 9am until sunset. I'm trying to cobble together a shade tarp so I can lay in the hammock in the evenings before sundown. A search of old posts gave me some ideas. Double layers, Mylar over a tarp, etc. This is a pretty ingenious crowd and I wanted to tap your imagination for options for shade. A couple of caveats. It doesn't need to be light or waterproof, just provide reasonably good shade. I'm not a DIYer so it needs to be pretty much an out of the box project (this translates I don't sew). I've looked at sun sails. Interesting. I've also wondered about ENO and Hennessy flies and how much "shade" their dark flies might provide.

**Redoleary** · 03-18-2017, 08:10

If you don't care what it looks like get one of THESE.

**Deadwood** · 03-18-2017, 08:35

Originally Posted by Redoleary

If you don't care what it looks like get one of THESE.

This is on my short list.

**tstark** · 03-18-2017, 08:54

I take it planting trees aren't an option?

**Redoleary** · 03-18-2017, 09:09

A slightly less hideous option might be canvas drop cloths.

**Fishbite** · 03-18-2017, 09:10

I have been thinking shade also, and this is the best I have come up with. I will sew or tape two olive Grabber Space All Weather Blankets together tp make a 10' by 5' tarp. The seam would be in the wrong direction, but I would include a loop at the top that will support the seam while using a continuous ridgeline. Mylar attached to fabric was my second choice, but crinkling and use large amounts of adhesive is not worth it to me.
I know you said no DIY, though it could be fairly easy. I am planning on lightly wire brushing the seam, cleaning the seam with rubbing alcohol, and then gorilla tape it together, on both sides. Attach a few extra 5" patches at the top of the seam on the inside, and then poke a hole for a paracord loop and toggle to attach to the continuous ridgeline. Some silicone at this connection would be a good idea considering water will funnel towards this connection.
I have been using these blankets for years and they make a great ground cloth or a chair reflector and have lots of uses to avoid mud.
I would like to hear what other people have come up with.

Grabber Space All Weather Blanket

**IRONFISH45** · 03-18-2017, 10:02

Nurseries sell a product to protect crops from getting too hot (too much sun). I know a lot of dog show participants use the same product to keep their dogs from getting overheated.

I am going to be doing more research, in heat protection when traveling.

**BrianWillan** · 03-18-2017, 11:43

Go to your local garden center or nursery and get yourself some shade cloth. They come in various percentages of light blocking. Here is one such example from Lee Valley.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/p...=2,51555,10530

Cheers

Brian

**boatstall** · 03-18-2017, 12:02

Shade cloth sounds like what you could use for seasonal shade. It blocks sun, but is mesh, so air can flow, not trapping heat like a solid surface. You can buy it in varying degrees of sun blockage.

I bought a roll of shade cloth several years ago. Used it to make shade side curtains for our pontoon boat for when we are anchored out. Blocked the sun, but allowed air flow, and provided privacy, but still allowed some vision for us looking out. Think industrial strength bug mesh. The 6' width was perfect for my application, as these curtains simply hung from the bimini top cover. The shade cloth is extremely durable, and was easy to put brass grommets in. I stitched about a 1.5" hem, and put the grommets into the hem.

Maybe make a dedicated "Porch" tarp. Surely you know someone with a sewing machine. It would be easy to stitch 2 six foot panels together, almost like making a regular tarp. They also sell the shade cloth in 12' width, but is far more expensive.

I'm not sure that this link below is the same exact material I bought, as it has been several years ago, but similar. We liked the green color.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Easy-Gard...050R/100556688