20x20 aluminet from gemplers.com - under $100

[wimala1]

hi all,

i just ordered the 20x20 70% aluminet, and a bag of 50 grip clips, from gemplers.com for a total of $108.10 (including shipping to south florida).

i let my fingers do the shopping at www.greenhouses-etc.net, shadeclothstore.com, gothicarchgreenhouses.com, farmtek.com & gemplers.com.

gemplers was the cheapest, but 20' is their max width & farmtek was the most expensive. shadeclothstore.com appeared to have standard shipping of 9.99.

i called and checked gemplers out and they are an old farm supply company and are now part of grangers.

i hope the 20x20 is big enough for my 12x14 tent and some room to tie it down. will let you know how it turns out after a test run! take care and hope this helps.

[MyDearFriend]

That is a great price, congratulations!

And thanks for sharing!

I look forward to seeing your pix; are you building a Monkey Hut or what?

[motskyroonmatick]

I advise getting the special order 70% shade if you are going this route. I have 70% regular knit green shade cloth and find that it is just not quite good enough on afternoons of really hot days on the playa. We added a tarp over a portion of the shade on the real scorcher of a day last year and there was a large noticeable difference. I still remain anti tarp due to the noise they make in wind.

I do think the aluminet will reflect more energy and so that would be an advantage over what I use. Regular shade cloth absorbs energy for the most part. Adding two 50% shade cloths together by putting one on top of the other does not = 100% shade. If for some reason you decide to do this(maybe you have some light shades already) make sure the weave crosses each other at 90 degree angles so you get the best effect. Definitely get the edging and grommets. I have found the plastic snap on grommets work most of the time but only when installed perfectly. I have allot of shade and have allot of those plastic grommets fail. You are at the burn to have a good time not maintain your camp all the time so go with the grommets. Double grommets on the corners.

Any shade is better than no shade. 70% aluminet will probably give more sleep in time. It will definitely provide good hang out shade for 2/3rds of the day.

[Token]

I'll give a shout out for Gemplers. Been using them for years, but then again, I am a Gentleman Farmer.

They are super fast on shipping for all you procrastinators.

[wimala1]

me again - in response to the "monkey hut"

i don't know what a "monkey hut" is, but will look it up. until then i don't THINK that is what i am building! :oops:

my 12x14 tent has the strongest poles and a broad base so that is what i decided to use. inside this i will have two single man tents (tent in tent idea) to limit the dust for sleeping. then i plan on having a swamp cooler inside with solar for the water circulation and fan. the 70% aluminet is going on top of the outside tent to assist with shade and sun/heat reflection. since the tent is an external frame, this will allow an air pocket around the tent itself for circulation.

i have a crazy idea for keeping dust out that can come thru the top screen of the tent - the paper part of an a/c filter (its ok, you can call me crazy!!). i learned from other burners that you have to tape off the screen areas on the top of your tent or you will just get a tent full of the fine playa!! i haven't heard anyone use this technique, but my thought is that the cloth paper part can be put up in advance and then rolled up with the tent. i don't know how much more bulky that will make the tent when it is packed & i don't even know if it will work. it is just an idea and i am going to try it. i picked my 12x14 tent because it is the one i hate putting up the most! everyone said that the tent you use should be for the playa ONLY since you just can't seem to get it all out - and it will have that playa smell forever.

i am open to comments about the a/c filter paper idea and any ideas are welcome. i will be sure to post dry run pix when the net comes in.

thank you in advance for any comments and ideas. i am a playa virgin this year and am just trying to prepare, prepare, prepare!!!!

[Irreverent Moniker]

monkey hut:

http://www.chromatest.net/Lovemonkey/