Engenering new shade with carports ?

[tattoogoddess]

So I was thinking, next year we want to expand our camp. We have two carports and are thinking about getting another this year. Thinking of adding two more next year.

Is it possible to get rid of the peaks? Say by getting right angle peices to go on the peak? So you would have a normal peak on the left and right but then flat on the peak? Does that make sense?

20 x50.

I want to be able to block off a living area from say the chill space . So buy getting more carports I would be able to ths.

[shykat]

YES! Easy search the terms "carport fittings" just make sure you get the same size fittings as your poles...

[mudpuppy000]

I'm not sure I understand what you're describing. I think it would be difficult to find non-standard pieces for the carports though. These are the costco ones right? I've heard that carport pieces from different structures don't always fit together as well.

[shykat]

you would still need the center poles or if the carport u are using doesn't have them you will need add them..

[shykat]

something like right angle peaked to right angle flat to straight to straight to left angle flat to left angle peaked. if that makes sense.

the straight pieces should be a 3 pronge with one pronge facing down for the support legs

or 5 pronged if your going support both sideways and length wise

[Drawingablank]

would probabl;y be better off with purpose made flat canopy parts like those designed to use with heavy guage conduit
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/shadecanop ... tings.html

[BBadger]

Technically you could connect the wall-to-roof connectors in place of the roof-peak connectors for a flat roof in the middle instead of a peak. However, you're sacrificing structural support doing this, and you're not really gaining much except some vertical space in the roof area that is far above people's heads and generally unused. Doing so may require additional internal guylines and wiring as well. An alternative would be to keep the frame structure the same, but connect the roof from peak-to-peak instead of back down to the wall side.

In either case I wouldn't really bother. You're not gaining much usable space by adding vertical space above your heads unless you're hell-bent on hanging a disco ball there or something. Our camp has about 3-4 carports abutted together for a communal space, plus a standalone canopy for a hang-out area out back, and it works just fine. You can decorate the internal pylons, etc. and nobody pays attention to the roof anyway.

[FIGJAM]

If you're going that big, forget the carports, and design as big as you like.

It will be cheaper!

http://www.ysbw.com/

[tattoogoddess]

Yeah, the fitting is what I'm talking about.
I will have to draw a pic and show you.
Damn the prices on the black mesh are great! But are they any good?

[FIGJAM]

All their stuff is good, but I would still use silver tarp for shade.

[tattoogoddess]

Yeah, that stuff is so spendy. Need to find a cheaper place

[trilobyte]

Instead of just strapping more crap designed for something other than what you're using it for together, you could just step away from the carports altogether (well, keep 'em and demote them to a kitchen structure), and engineer something that's modular, scalable, sound, and has great bang for the buck. Look into EMT conduit frame structures. You can get fittings either locally in some towns or online, shade poles available cheap from nearly any hardware or building supply store on the planet (and easily cut to size), then just add tarps or shade cloth which you attach using ball bungees. Most common designs work in 10' square increments, with nearly limitless possibilities. Growing and changing from year to year becomes as simple as getting the additional fittings/conduit/tarp you'll need and making a bigger version, or on the flipside if you ever have a minimal year or want to do some smaller regional event, just bring the bits you need to make a smaller structure.

[CornMan]

There are a few cheaper places to buy fittings, tarps, and bungee balls. One of them is in Yuma. If you google the words Yuma and tarps, you'll find it.

[FIGJAM]

That's the one I linked to.

[CornMan]

Ah, so it is. Oh well, my reference will still be there if the links get removed.

[theCryptofishist]

Don't confuse Yuma with Yuba City. Of course, there's always Tuba City, too.

[mudpuppy000]

Tuba City is awesome. Make sure to stop and see the dinosaur tracks.

[theCryptofishist]

*sniff* even the damn dinosaurs have feet...
wait? do they? It could be wheelchair tracks!

WooHoo!!