Tying down reflectix to a canopy.

[BitterDan]

We have a couple of those Costco carports that we use for shade structures and they have worked VERY well in the past. Next year I was thinking that I could keep them cooler inside if I strap some Reflectix to the roofs. I am thinking that I can just grommet them and zip-tie them but I am worried that the reflectix material will tear in heavy winds. Does anyone have any experience with this material at BM and how did it hold up in heavy winds?

[oneeyeddick]

Yeah , the brown Cosco carports generate a lot of
heat because the fabric isn't UV resistant.
Go to G.I. Joes and spend the $30 to replace the top
with a white one, $50 gets you the sides if ya need them.

[Lord Of Ruin]

[quote="BitterDan"]We have a couple of those Costco carports that we use for shade structures and they have worked VERY well in the past. Next year I was thinking that I could keep them cooler inside if I strap some Reflectix to the roofs. I am thinking that I can just grommet them and zip-tie them but I am worried that the reflectix material will tear in heavy winds. Does anyone have any experience with this material at BM and how did it hold up in heavy winds?[/quote]

I have the off white/yellowish Costco canopies adn I didn't think they were all that hot under them this past year. The main difference was when we opened up some sides to let air pass under them.

I don't think without airflow your reflectix will be worth the time and trouble personally.

<shrugs>

You could always replace the top with a grommeted top made of Aluminex made to order. For a single canopy it shouldn't be too expensive and will block up to 90% of UV rays withile allowing some air flow. You could just secure it with ball bungies.

The one thing that you'd lose is any sort of dust protection. And we had three Costcos in a U shape this past year and had most sides down and sealed and it afforded a LOT of protection when the winds came up. We had entire groups come inside to huddle and sit. Dust still got in, but the solid sides and roof sure helped a lot with that wind driven dust! That being said, we each had tents set up UNDER teh fully sealed Costco canopies and they were certainly not cooler inside the tents during teh day. The shade buys you an extra hour or two in the early morning to sleep, but that's it. After that, airflow is your major issue.

Also, Search on here and you'll find recommendations...but basically people seem to say you need some separation between your UV block and things under it. People use Aluminet above a tent for instance with some space between.

[Toolmaker]

Parachutes.. 30-100 dollars at surplus prices depending on size
http://www.shelter-systems.com/gripclips/products.html

With a material that has some airflow you won't have to worry about your stuff going ass over teakettle in a high wind. All that expensive shit really isn't worth it. If you must use something fancy for that extra 10 degrees have a flap or vent put in to allow for air flow. When you have a weak flimsy or expensive material you want to consider distributing the strain as much as possible. Those grip clips are the best thing I have seen so far and will not be as sensitive to tearing and ripping out like grommeted holes.

[BitterDan]

While it wasn't as hot as my tent was, the canopy was still hot inside (I mean, realistically I cannot block 100% of the desert heat). I was just thinking that if I could block some of the sunlight hitting the large surface I could mitigate some of that heat. Ten degrees, to me, would be better than nothing.

I have a VERY hard time sleeping in the heat of the day and it typically means that I end up just sitting in our dome all day trying to catch 10-15 minute naps in between drum circles. I also get VERY bored during the day (amazing that I could be bored at BM isn't it) and if I could sleep through it I would be a much happier camper at night.

RE: Parachutes. We have always been weary of using anything that was MADE to catch the wind. The last thing I need during a dust storm is to have to chase my parachute across the playa. However, I haven't actually tried to use a parachute so I don't really know. I do know that our neighbors parachute covered dome did not hold up well to Thursday's whip and howl dust storm.

The more I think about it, the more I am leaning towards building a hexayurt. I think that would be a much better solution for someone like me who wants to sleep through the whole day.

[phil]

This is off-topic for reflectix, but Louise and I have a shade canopy that is impervious to infra-red - heat comes from the infra-red range of light. Photos of our shade structure are at

http://civex.smugmug.com/gallery/3481991#P-5-9

and see the last three photos. We have non-IR blocking side panels on two sides of the shade. We orient the structure so that the 'back' of the shade faces west, and we leave that side panel in place all day. In the morning, we put our other panel on the southerly side of the shade where it blocks the sun all morning, then we switch it to the northerly side till the sun sets.

The roof is some kind of silver tarp that blocks all IR rays. No sun shines through it at all. With only two side panels, we get all the wind there is to get, so we are at ambient air temperature - no hotter, no cooler. We have a backup shade with a rubberized canvas tarp that is white. It, too, blocks all sun, and it remains cool to the touch on the bottom.

You cannot block the heat, but you can block the infrared rays and keep from making your shade an oven like your tent.

(You'll notice that Louise got tired of the plain white back flap and made a colorful hanging to put over it. This does not seem to have affected heat retention inside the shade.)

[Teo del Fuego]

good job there Phil, nicely done

[BitterDan]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm glad I still have 8 months to decide which route I want to take.

BD