Aluminet 50%

[fresh]

I found some aluminet on the large online auction site. The seller was receptive to my requests to create a piece to the dimensions that I need for my monkey hut. A 15' x 24' piece, taped and grommeted for about $150. A good deal I think considering other sites I have seen. They would go up to close to 19'8" x 24' at no additional cost since that is the stock they would use. The only thing is that it is 50% aluminet. Most of what I hear people using is 60 or 70%. Has anyone used 50% for their shade structure? I have pondered whether or not I should make the investment in the aluminet or just go with the heavy duty silver tarp I bought already. That one is 16' x 20' and I will have to make adjustments to the current pvc setup I have. The thought for the addition 5 feet of rib length is to maybe get some regular shade cloth to cover the bottom 2-3 feet of space I have now instead of altering the pvc. This would allow some airflow but still give shade.

This is my first attempt at it, any advice would be great.

[Boijoy]

My 2 cents. 50% will not be enough if this is your only source of shade. I used 70% doubled & still get filtered light.
Go with the solid stuff & throw the 50% over your tent or something. see ya in the dust!

[dragonpilot]

I've seen aluminet (not sure of the %) over the top of shade cloth. Worked quite well. The whole structure is kind of a rectangular tunnel about 35' long, open at both ends. Quite comfortable at mid-day, and moreso with a mild breeze flowing through.

[Bob]

A price of 30 to 35 cents per square foot is pretty good for any shade mesh made into grometted tarps. 50% is better than 0%, and you can toss your vinyl tarp over it in case of rain. Everything gets coated with dust out there, so 50%-70% aluminet is probably nearly as as good as 50%-70% black or green shade mesh.

NOBODY on the eplaya or ANYWHERE to my knowledge has EVER produced actual onsite temperature data for comparison of different shade schemes on the Black Rock Desert. I've used an infrared temperature gun and found that solid light-opaque tarps yield a 10-15 degree temperature drop, but YMMV. UV infiltration? Who knows.

[theCryptofishist]

I've used an infrared temperature gun and found that solid light-opaque tarps yield a 10-15 degree temperature drop, but YMMV.

Proving once again that Bob is cool...

[EspressoDude]

this time of year grab what you can. greenhouses are buying the stuff like crazy and many suppliers will be lucky to fill your order in time.

[fresh]

Maybe I can use smaller piece on to cover the 5' gap between the tarp size and PVC config I have now. Two piece split into 3' - 4' sections for each bottom sides. Provide more shade but with some airflow. These people seem like they will do any size fitting.

[trilobyte]

As Bob said, 50% is better than 0%, but I don't know that it'll be enough that you'd be happy/comfortable. As with everything, your mileage may vary.

[some seeing eye]

Tarps are sails and shade cloth or camo net is less a sail. Monkey huts well built with tarps deal well with wind, especially if the ends can be closed off in big storms. Since silver tarps are a fraction of the price of shade cloth, and shade better, and you have them, the choice is clear.

Suggest touring the playa when you get there, gathering ideas for future structures, making sketches and photos, talking to people. What we do on ePlaya can never match that. (though we have value for planning in advance)

[Bob]

If you already have a tarp just make that work. You could use the mesh to drape the back end.