Today (Pond boy) Hubs and I installed $25.00 worth of "shade cloth" that I bought at Walmart's garden dept. It filters out 75% of the sun and supposidly makes it 15 degrees cooler. We had gotten a Gazebo off of Craigslist and used that as the frame. Lots of people get rid of their gazebos if the tent material rips in a storm. I will try and get some pics in a day or two.

susie

I have built one I used pvc as the fraim .Then I put shade cloth on top .I put 2 layers it realy helps I love sitting under and it helps shade oursun room (now den)

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Doesn't that need a heavier frame like wisteria does? I am almost finished with one I am making out of the wire grid shelves they put in closets...12x12. I have put vines in that I hope will be ok. pink jasmine bower vine, red trumpet. Will post pics soon.

Thanks for the ideas. nanatricia your cover is neat.
twomonths I don't know if it would be to heavy for the pvc or not. I'm thinking of putting netting we use for the cherry tree to put over the top of it.Please post your pics.

The shade cloth shown by nanatricia actually may not be ideal. It can get very hot under it when the sun shines on it even you are in the shade.

Based on the law of physics, the best material should be as reflective as you can get it, silver or white would be much better. The greenish material convert the sunlight into heat and radiats downwards.

dcarch