Shading bedroom from the afternoon sun

The afternoon summer sun heats up the bedroom and ensuite.

I would like to build a basic timber pergola over the front courtyard that faces west and put shade cloth over the first metre out from the bedroom and ensuite.

Do you think that would be enough to cut the sun heating up these rooms?

Any other suggestions ideas appreciated.

There is currently an aluminum awning over the bedroom sliding glass door but this does not seem to cut down any heat in the room.

Thanks

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Accepted answers

Jason

@Stuardo,

Have you seen this post by Workshop member @Wayne - https://www.workshop.com.au/t5/Outdoor/Building-the-BBQ-Arbor/m-p/4443

Very similar to what you are planning.

Jason

All comments

Jason

Welcome to Workshop @Stuardo and thanks for joining in the discussion. I'm sure our members will have some helpful advice for you about this problem and other projects in the future. Great to see you have also shared one of your creations on the gallery with us. Looking forward to seeing more of your work soon.

Please let me know if you ever need a hand getting the most from the site or have any feedback about how we can make Workshop more useful for you.

Jason

Isobel

Have you considered outdoor blinds @Stuardo? They can be very effective in stopping heat. My concern with a pergola would be the impact in winter - I wouldn't want to lose light and warmth in winter.

MartyH

Hi @Stuardo,

@BIM_Engineer might be the best one around this parts to tell you if a metre of shade cloth will enough to give you sun protection in the summer but I suspect he will want to know more info, like what materials your house is made of and how big the windows and sliding door is. Maybe you could share a photo or a sketch?

In the meantime, there's a Bunnings video series on How to build a pergola that might help you decide whether you are up for the job. See https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/outdoor/decking/how-to-build-a-pergola-overview

Stuardo

Hi Isobel, Thanks and good idea, outdoor blinds may be an option. Those roll out fabric awnings could do the trick.

Cheers,

Stuart

Stuardo

Hi MartyH, thanks for the interest. The house is rendered brick veneer and see attached photo of the wall facing the western sun. Ensuite window on the left and main bedroom on right. This is my project for 2018 and have Courtyard 01.jpg left this area till last as I just don't know what to do with it. I am thinking Asian inspired courtyard but am afraid of the heat out there may be more suited to desert and cactus, (not a fan of).

Cheers,

Stuart.

BIM_Engineer

Hi Stuart
Thanks for the photo
I think an asian inspired courtyard, water feature and chunky shaded wooden pergola would be ideal.
I've also attached a general link to Shading Your Home hth

Stuardo

I do like the idea of a chunky wooden pergola! Thanks for the link, that first photo sold me I think with timber slats or louvers angled to get the right sun in winter and not in summer, or a deciduous vine.

MartyH

Thanks for the pic @Stuardo.

That chunky pergola on the other site does look great.

You might also like to pop a post on the gardening board for suggestions about vines and other plants that might be suited to the courtyard. Perhaps you could plant a tree for long-term shade benefit?

Are you going to pull out the rotary clothesline? They take up a lot of room - a folding clothesline will help you reclaim space.

Stuardo

Yep, the clothesline goes and the outside will be painted next year. I've planted lemon, mandarine and pomegranate trees along the fence line so they have a few years of growing to do. Thanks everyone for all the ideas and advice.

Kermit

A grapevine for the pergola would be a good choice - not only do you get shade, but also fruit.

Isobel

Some more ideas for enhancing courtyards here - https://www.domain.com.au/living/transform-a-tiny-courtyard-with-these-clever-solutions/

Stuardo

Thanks Isobel, so many great ideas and I'm spoilt for choice now.

Jason

Hi @Stuardo,

Hope all is well.

Just wondering whether you've made any progress on this project? It would be great to get an update, or feel free to let us know if you need a hand with anything.

Thanks,

Jason

JDE

Pergola sounds great. Have you considered getting the glass tinted. Similar to cars. We had the same problem on a previous house, a huge glass slider in main bedroom facing west. We got it tinted and it was quite effective, we have also swapped gauze for vision mesh.
James

Stuardo

Hey @Jason, no progress yet but a lot of planning and dreaming. It is starting to cool down out there so will be getting into it soonish. I am thinking of building something like this arbour below in front of the windows, but about 4 meters wide so will need an additional post in the middle.Like this only wider

Jason

@Stuardo,

Have you seen this post by Workshop member @Wayne - https://www.workshop.com.au/t5/Outdoor/Building-the-BBQ-Arbor/m-p/4443

Very similar to what you are planning.

Jason

Stuardo

Thanks @Jason and @Wayne Wow, that is a bit of de je vu. This is what I love about working with timber. So many ways you can cut a few pieces of timber and put them together to make something beautiful and functional. I might take some points from both ideas and see what I come up with.

I suppose watch this space.

May

This is probably really too late yet I've only just found this site today lol
Just wanted to give a heads up as I've lived in many rentals without aircon or fans etc and looking at a house to buy I wouldn't buy anthing unless windows and doors open south and west! Yes west is the hottest side yet did you know it also is the best toget breezes to cool down the house or rooms. Trick is to wait until sun down a little and then open, a roller blind inside does have an impact plus you can open door and have blind down until sun gone. Trees or bushes as you said doing a garden will help. Bunnings has a film that is supposed to cut out heat that you could put on doors yet not sure of sizing.

Former_Member

Have you considered solar tint on the windows

Stuardo

Hi @Former Workshop member ,

The sliding doors already had window tint on them but may not have been the best ones for keeping out the heat. I ended up building a pergola over the area and it does cut the heat down considerably. I'm also training some climbing roses over the top. The drought and 40 degree days has put it to the test recently and I'm glad I did it.

Pergola 05.jpg Pergola Shade.jpg

Ecojon

We had a similar problem, wanted a pergola but the wallet said no!

Instead i put in 2 posts { 250ml round 600ml in the ground] then used a 5 by 5 square shade sail, fixing the other two corners to the roof batons.

It works a treat and i can take it down in the winter if i want.

Total cost around $600 as opposed to $3680 for the pergola, just a suggestion,cheers.

andarm

Just be aware that any reflection of summer heat will also reflect winter heat which is likely to be very much wanted!

Best solution to direct solar summer heat gain through glazed areas is always external shading.

Jason

Thanks for joining in the discussion and sharing your knowledge @andarm. Sounds like you have plenty of experience to share. We are looking forward to seeing more of your posts soon. Please don't hesitate to post whenever you have something to share or need a hand from our amazing community members. We have helpful members sharing advice and inspiration every day, so we're sure you will fit right in.

Welcome,

Jason

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