Side Coverings

[alexcaste]

If I build a square shade structure. What are the most important sides of the structure to cover?

I know that I should cover one side to create a wind break (which side does the wind generally come from?)
After that what are the more important sides to cover?

I am asking because I am building a tent shade structure of 26x26. It will be about 7 to 8 feet tall. The roof is made of aluminett. Ideally I would love to just cover all the sides but in order to conserve money I am wondering what are the most necessary sides to cover?

For this example lets assume there are no large vehicles being used as wind breaks on any side.

---i've had to much coffee this morning---

[FIGJAM]

I would do the east, west, and south sides.

Instead of vertical walls, angle them to 45 degrees.

This will allow the wind to flow over them and if you run your guy lines at the edges of those walls, they won't be a tripping hazard.

[VultureChow]

For maximum sun shading, it would go, East, South, West, North I believe.

But your best bet would be to create say two walls that you can easily move around. That way you can adjust as the day progresses or you may find some convenient RV neighbors who shade you or provide wind breaks.

[alexcaste]

But your best bet would be to create say two walls that you can easily move around. That way you can adjust as the day progresses or you may find some convenient RV neighbors who shade you or provide wind breaks.

How did you create walls you could move easily?

I was going to use shade cloth and affix the walls at an angle.

[VultureChow]

I don't personally, but you are dealing with a square structure, so whatever wall you design should work on any side.

I'm thinking if you do two walls, you can set them up the way you thing would work best. Use bungee balls through grommets instead of tying with rope or cable ties. That keeps the wall taut in the wind and they come off easier. You are attaching them to the top cross beam and then anchoring them to ground stakes.

If you find after the first day that shifting them around would be useful at different times, then move the wall and use new stakes to anchor. Protect your feet and the other stakes with something like pool noodles. And then you can move the wall pretty fast with say two people.

26" is also kind of large, so you could do 2x13' sections for a more modular product.

[Roundabout]

Figjam is right about the 45 degree angles. I attach my walls to the playa floor with 2x4's laid on the leading edge of the wall and pre-drilled for 18" lag bolts screwed into the playa. You can save $, and put a solid panel on at least the south facing wall if the walls are attached in this way (prevailing wind is from the south and gets deflected up by the 45 degree angle). There is no need to block the sun on the north side, but I put a Costco carport on the north wall to block the occasional wind storm from the north.

[FIGJAM]

Exactly.

You wind up with a larger shade footprint and the guy lines are running up the edges of the angled tarps.

Wind is about 15 to 20mph in this pic.

[theCryptofishist]

Now, rotate 45 degrees. Because it doesn't have to be facing north...

[alexcaste]

What do you think of using tarps nailed into the ground with 2x4's angled up to the height of the shade structure. Basically what I see in the picture above but on all 3 sides?

[FIGJAM]

Lag bolts through the grommets are holding it to the ground.

I used rope stretched tight, then caribiners the grommets to the rope.

You could also use ratchet straps the same way.

I wouldn't bother hauling 2x4s.

Look at the 3rd pic from the top of this page..........

viewtopic.php?f=162&t=32847&start=30

..........samey same.

[Captain Goddammit]

If your height is 8 feet, those 2x4s at a 45 degree angle will be just over 11 feet long.
Pipe would be easier if you want something rigid, but I'd recommend taking FIGJAM's advice.

[alexcaste]

FIGJAM:
SOunds like a good idea to me. Couple questions so i understand better.
How long are the lag bolts?
Are you screwing thing directly into the playa and they are holding?
Is the rope attached to the lag bolts and stretched between?

Do you put this sloped tarp on all three sides or only the windward side?

[FIGJAM]

Mine are 18".

Nothing has come loose in 4 years.

The corner ones have 2 links of chain on them to tie the rope to.

The others just go through the grommet and into the ground.

I park facing east so the angled tarp keeps out the afternoon sun.

In that picture it's noon.

I don't worry about where the wind comes from, as it can come from any direction.

viewtopic.php?f=277&t=68556

[unjonharley]

I'm putting a monkey hut over the van with a boot over the open rear hatch.. The sides of course will be tapered.. The side walls will meet a top tarp with a small space to let the wind out.. I will want to be facing van west.. The boot over the hatch and side of the monkey hut.. A facade will make the end cover wind break..
The side walls will be attached to the ground.

[Pootzen]

Figjam is right about the 45 degree angles. I attach my walls to the playa floor with 2x4's laid on the leading edge of the wall and pre-drilled for 18" lag bolts screwed into the playa. You can save $, and put a solid panel on at least the south facing wall if the walls are attached in this way (prevailing wind is from the south and gets deflected up by the 45 degree angle). There is no need to block the sun on the north side, but I put a Costco carport on the north wall to block the occasional wind storm from the north.

How big are the side tarps in this setup? Are they the same 10x20 panels? This looks like a good way to wind block and guy-line together, but I'll have to order more lag bolts!

[shroom]

Good info guys, thanks!

[ygmir]

and no one has yet made a "side boob" joke..........some days I feel so alone.

good info, well presented.

[Roundabout]

How big are the side tarps in this setup? Are they the same 10x20 panels? This looks like a good way to wind block and guy-line together, but I'll have to order more lag bolts!

The side tarps are the same 10x20. Guy lines are not needed here as the side tarps serve as guy lines. The tarps are fastened to the Playa with 2x4's laid down on top of the leading tarp edge on the ground. The 2x4's have pre-drilled holes that line up with the tarp grommets. Lag screws are then put through the pre-drilled 2x4 holes and tarp grommets and fastened to the playa. The uprights in this design are wired and taped to straight rebar stakes that are put down at the base of each upright.

[Pootzen]

How big are the side tarps in this setup? Are they the same 10x20 panels? This looks like a good way to wind block and guy-line together, but I'll have to order more lag bolts!

The side tarps are the same 10x20. Guy lines are not needed here as the side tarps serve as guy lines. The tarps are fastened to the Playa with 2x4's laid down on top of the leading tarp edge on the ground. The 2x4's have pre-drilled holes that line up with the tarp grommets. Lag screws are then put through the pre-drilled 2x4 holes and tarp grommets and fastened to the playa. The uprights in this design are wired and taped to straight rebar stakes that are put down at the base of each upright.

I am inclined to try FigJam's suggestion and lag screw directly through the grommets and leave the 2x4s at home. I might need to find some rubber washers or o-rings to keep the fit snug and secure.

[Elorrum]

here's a simple playa tested design. 3 cargo straps at each end ratcheted down at 45 degree angles basically tension the two sets of braced uprights to the ground and the shade cloth is attached to ropes tightened between the uprights. The cloth is tight, but it is not tensioned for the structure. It took a few people to keep things even as all the straps were tightened. I think there may have been a stake into the ground at the feet of the unit, but don't recall. The sides were oriented east west, and gave good shade in morning and afternoon.

[Roundabout]

I am inclined to try FigJam's suggestion and lag screw directly through the grommets and leave the 2x4s at home. I might need to find some rubber washers or o-rings to keep the fit snug and secure.

I am sure that will be fine for 99% of the windstorms. The 2x4's only serve to spread out the load and prevent wind gusts from putting high tension on any single grommet. It is just extra insurance against grommet failure. Also, for me the 2x4's serve double duty as the frame on the back of my pickup truck that helps me to secure more load for traveling.