How to create shade for the seating area?

[John93]

Hi,

I was wondering what option there are to create some shade for the seating area ?

I was thinking of installing a shade sale - can I use the corner of fence as the 3rd mount ? is there a way to extend it ?

Or are there any other options available for creating shade ?

Thank You !

[MitchellMc]

Hi @John93,

Colorbond fences aren’t designed to take the load of a shade sail, especially in higher winds, so it’s generally not advised to attach one there. Without a post in that rear corner, it will be tricky to install a shade sail effectively, and off-the-shelf sizes likely won’t suit the space. One option could be to install a post in that corner if possible, which would allow a proper sail to be tensioned. Another practical solution is a cantilever umbrella, which could be placed to the side and provide good coverage over your seating area. It’s a bit hard to tell from your photo exactly what the layout is, so if you can clarify whether it’s just seating or if there’s a garden bed too, our members can offer more tailored suggestions. 

What is the seating created from, and would the internal structure lend itself to a post attachment to the seat back in the back corner? This would likely only be structurally sound if the seat back were solid reinforced concrete.

Let me tag @Jewelleryrescue and @Dave-1 for their thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[John93]

Hi mitch

it used to have planters on both sides but I have extended it as a seating area. There is no space left in the corner for a post unfortunately 

I poured the concrete with rebar for the seating area however prefer not to have a post in the corner inside if the seating since it might look odd

Are there any other shading methods available? 

[MitchellMc]

There is a range of extendable awnings @John93, which could provide some partial shade.

Mitchell

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @John93 

Sorry, I missed this post during the break 😕

Ive been flicking through ideas on how to install a post/support for a shade sail and most end up very complex.

The only way I can think of getting a support point out there (in the corner) would be to install two of those red posts about a meter apart (preferably 1.5m) in line with your fence. Then the tops will be a timber beam canterleavered so the end point is in the corner. It meets up with the other two post support on the other fence doing the same. The posts would have to be 800mm and concreted in as there will be a lot of force with a shade sail as in holding its shape. The join will have to be conectted securely.

You could do the above but instead of a shade sail you could have a shade curtain. Strung on wires that you can slide to one side. Its not a taught shade cloth, more a looped calico style. Less stress on the beams and your eaves.  (You have the side beams now and the other other side would be your eave that you would have to strengthen) Picture a Roman shade covering look.

Dave

[John93]

Hi @Dave-1 

Would you be able to sketch it out for me. I'm trying to imagine your solution,,, 

Thanks Dave !

[MitchellMc]

Hi @John93,

I'm not entirely sure from @Dave-1's description about how that would look. Hopefully, now that I've tagged him again, he'll be able to get back to us. Once he does, I'd be more than happy to sketch out his solution for you.

Mitchell

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @John93 

No probs.

First pic,
The cantilever beam is held in place via one or two extra posts compared to your red post marking in your pic. I have drawn the cantilever with three posts. The one next to the seat is a pivot support, the other two are for securing the weight of the beam plus shade cloth.

The connecting of the two beams sould be done with a solid bracket. The metal angle should be a right angle (from looking at your corner of the yard) so you will need to drill through one of the brackets as the holes will be out of step to each other. the beams I would be using are something this type of size

140 x 45mm Outdoor Framing H3 Treated Pine - 5.4m 

Second pic

This shows the idea of the shade covering instead of a shade sail (The sail would strain the configuration above way to much as there are no stays between the rails and house) The shade sail is supported by wire hauser wire, you could have the wire run through conduit or attach it to timber so the calico can be connected to that. 

I divided the run into three sections so it wouldnt sag, the corner section is the example. two runs of wire with eyelets on each end are run parallelwith the beam and under the gutter. These carry the calico plus wire and timber/conduit soneed to be taught.

Then you will have the same wire with eyelets run from those first two wires. these support the rails that the calico will hang on much like roman blinds.

You should be able to slide and bunch the shade at one end when not in use.

Dave