What material for a Flat Roofed Shade Structure?

[claybcook]

Moving on from my trusty Monkey Hut into the brave new world of flat roofed shade.
I have seen them with solid tarp roofs and shade cloth roofs and metallic aluminet roofs. I will be using slanted shade cloth on the side to divert wind over the top of the structure. Not sure if there's a reason to do anything other than solid tarp roofs. Maybe a bit lighter? Maybe a shade roof will relieve pressure if we get HUGE winds again and not blow away?

[Just_Joe]

As you mentioned, solid tarps are much, much more prone to wind damage. We regularly deploy 8' high, open wave shade cloth structures without guylines and they do fine in moderate, up to 30mph winds. Solid tarps require guys in any winds. Period.

I've been a fan of Aluminet, but last year we had a 30x50 structure set up that used both 80% Aluminet and cheap, black shade tarps and we noticed that the space under the black cloth was darker and seemed cooler.
If you do Aluminet, look for a 4 weak lead time to order. Also, be aware that you should order slightly smaller than your structure to allow it to stretch tight with the bungees. 9'8"x19'8" would probably be good. Most solid or factory-manufactured shade tarps are 10x20 "cut" which results in a tarp that is about 9'6" x 19'6"

How large of a structure are you looking at? You didn't ask, but have you thought about Carports? 1" EMT has come down a bit in price but the cost to assemble a conduit 10x20 shade with just a top is still about double the price of a carport kit, which has a solid, sloped roof (good for rain) and comes with poles, sides, and bungees. Costco carports are the ONLY ones I've found that work well. The tubing is more robust and less prone to bending than 1" EMT. With carports, setting up the sides is optional, but if you want to put them up, be aware that as manufactured, all four walls attach to each other via velcro and need to be set up together. Sides will obviously catch wind so keep that in mind. Alternatively, an angled,10x20 shade cloth like you were planning anyway off of your back wall might work well.

[DoctorIknow]

I've had a Blackrock Hardware setup for years. One could get the parts independently, but then maybe the tarp for the "roof" would be inferior. Maybe the steel connectors would be inferior as the fabricator made the pipes 1 millimeter thinner. (BTW, if you want the Blackrock Hardware kit, get it ASAP as they sell out quickly.)

On my 10x20 frame, I have black screen on all sides. The piece in front of the tent "door" is stretched out about 8 feet. One year, I thought my tent would be blown apart (the 10x20 structure was doing fine) but that slanted mesh significantly reduced the wind/dust coming right to the front of the tent to bearable.

For the roof, a tarp is a must. As long as the posts are secured with mule tape and 18" lag screws, the bungee connections to the tarp never fail, and I've never had a grommet cut thru the tarp.

I have an aluminet piece about 10 inches above the tarp. I'm not sure if it was worth the effort as for the times the sun is not overhead, even the side mesh shades do not stop the sun. I'm thinking this year I might use the mesh and aluminet for three (non-door) sides.

If you go with the steel frame, cross brace on ALL rectangles, including the roof (see pic) except no cross brace for the entrance way. Get a big roll of mule tape, aka "pull tape", 3/4", 500feet. (ebay) It is not expensive and perfect for out there/ Master a simple truckers hitch and especially a bowline knot. Many use ratchet straps but for me, it's more fun to use muletape. Toss all the pieces in the washing machine when you get home. Have fun untangling the birds nest. Plus, what you don't use for BM, put in your car for towing vehicles (2500lb test strength

tent bm.jpeg

tent bm 2.jpg

[claybcook]

I'm setting this up in front of a trailer, so the carports won't work. 24' X 20'. Never thought of the mule tape for diagonal reinforcement, but that seems genius.
The Blackrock Hardware kit comes with a solid tarp roof, but I'll replace that with some open shade material. Shade cloth slanting sides as well.
I haven't brought a trailer before, but I expect to park with the trailer 90 degrees to Gate Rd and place the structure on the downwind side. Thinking I may pull that solid roof tarp over the trailer so that on one end it's attached to the frame of the shade structure, and the other end pulled over the trailer and down to the ground on the upwind side. Hopefully that'll divert wind over the whole thing that way. .

[DoctorIknow]

....The Blackrock Hardware kit comes with a solid tarp roof, but I'll replace that with some open shade material. Shade cloth slanting sides as well.

...but I expect to park with the trailer 90 degrees to Gate Rd and place the structure on the downwind side.

Rain is rare out there, but it's happened, and long enough that all that dust in the netting drips down to your tent and the surrounding playa...well, you won't wanna walk in it right outside your tent door. If a tarp fills with rain (which has happened to me 3 times) have a broom or something to push up the tarp.

As for placing your living quarters to be downwind, or camping behind a U-haul or RV, it is very possible you won't have a choice. In other words, plan to not have any wind breaks.

[bhearn]

We have two Costco carports that have served us well for years, tarp sides / tops with velcro, etc. These form our camp private area. We have another adjacent carport where we do coffee service and bike repair.

However, we've come to feel that the camp just seems a bit too... utilitarian. Also setup is slow, especially if it's windy. Last year was brutal. Meanwhile, the camp next to us arrived a day later, and was set up in a snap. Most of their stuff looked like EMT, with stylish pink cloth and other adornments.

Redesigning our main camp structure is off the table this year, but we've been thinking of setting up a smaller shade structure in front of the main private area, for our coffee / bike customers to hang out, that is more colorful.

Can someone point me to instructions for a basic EMT structure? And where does one get colorful shade cloth?

[DoctorIknow]

https://formandreform.com/product-categ ... are-shade/

Try BlackRockHardware. They sent out an "inventory low" notice May 6, but there may be some kits still for sale. Big drawback is you have to pick up the kits from Oakland, CA.

Otherwise, you can get all the EMT connectors on line.

I've never seen "colorful" shade cloth, but my black shade cloth is usually covered in playa dust but for the times I wack it with a broom.

Bungee's are the most difficult to find as how can one believe if they are really the right size? I suggest BlackRockHardware, which will ship "parts" such as 100 bungees for $40.

Good luck, and I would suggest if you want a 10x20, make it 12x20 (like the BlackRockHarware smallest set) and get the extra three connection sleeves.

[Jmeid]

I use 10 x 10 ft silver 12 mil poly tarps for the roof, black shade cloth and aluminet for the sides, canvas tarps for the floor

It’s honestly pretty easy to do yourself.

Canopies and tarps dot com has the most affordable fittings I could find.

You can buy a conduit cutter from Lowe’s or Home Depot for less than $15.

Cut six 10’ tubes of 1” EMT conduit down to 8 ft. Put a piece of colored tape on them, those are your legs

7 10’ tubes of 1” conduit is needed for the frame.

Get some ball bungies, ratchet straps, lag screws, foot plates, chain links, and washers then you’ll be set

[Popeye]

The best conduit cutter is a hacksaw or possibly a portable bandsaw.
Those twirly things many use to cut conduit and pipe are made for cutting copper tubing. Will they work? for a while but wear out quickly. You won't see an electrician carrying one.

[DoctorIknow]

If you are doing the conduit as a BurningMan project and wondering how to cut your conduit without buying expensive tools, get a drill press vise (suitable one on amazon for $32) and a hacksaw.

After BurningMan, you'll find the vise useful 1000 times in your future. I promise!

https://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Tools-Dril ... 385&sr=1-4