I have to cover our westerly super sunny too hot unseable back patio!

Question

Ok my builder peeps! Our back patio is unusable! The back is completely engulfed in westerly Florida sun! Which has made it unusable! The slab isn't super huge maybe five by 10 could be a bit bigger! The hubs and I want to build some sort of a cover! We thought of buying a sun setter however we are 15 mins from the ocean so in a hurricane we would lose that for sure! Plus it's 500$ plus! We thought about building a lean too! Pergolas were estimating out at to much of a cost! We have the go ahead from the landlord however the cost is ours! That's fine because we are hoping it will help Lower our ac Bill! Whose got any ideas and or even plans for some thing pretty simple and relatively cheap! We are long term renters and don't plan on moving anytime soon! We want to use our back patio but in this Florida heat it's impossible! Someone please help me out and give me some good sound advice! Yes I know it sounds odd for a renter to want to make this kind of investment in something they don't own! However the one time cost would be worth the lower energy bill! Plus if we move out the landlords will
Compensate of! Hope to hear all the awesome ideas everyone in here always has! No one has steered me wrong yet! Thanks guys! Love this site!!! Katie in Florida I don't want to send pics cuz it's so ugly and embarrassing! I will give exact dimensions as I get ideas!

Dee Lowe · Answer

Wind sails aren't that expensive-might want to investigate on those.

York Gardener · Answer

Have you considered installing four tall posts (as if you were going to build a deck), connect them with cable rails at the top and then plant vines that you like? You could mix annuals and perennials for the first few years so that you get screening from the first year. You could use twine between the wire supports to add structure for the vines to follow to minimize the cost and as the perennial vines matured the string would no longer be required by the time it rotted away. If you did need it in a few places you could always add it where ever it needed to be.

Shannon · Answer

We have the same problem in AZ. Maybe you could attach an awning and then use exterior curtains or roll-down shades. To cut down on cooling costs, most people use exterior window shades. Here's a link to view what they can look like. You can order them in different colors. http://www.blinds.com/control/product/gallery/89493?image=image_1319805048.jpg

Debbie · Answer

I have seen shade arches made from pvc pipe and curtains or fabric. They are adjustable and look easy to make. You might want to adapt the shape to attach to the side of your patio. Also, pvc can be painted, even to look like bamboo. I live in hurricane land, too, and I think these would be easy to disassemble and store when a storm is coming.

Christine Spencer · Answer

Put up a sun shade sail... yes, we have hurricanes in Florida, but you have plenty of notice if one is heading your way. Unclipping the shade's carabiner to take it down for washing and/or hurricanes wouldn't take more than a few minutes on a ladder to accomplish. http://www.shadesailoutlet.com/SFNT.html?gclid=CPnnvKavgMYCFUs6gQodVhwAEQ

Jud1016678 · Answer

Attach white sails, burlap to hooks on poles and whatever you use so it can be unhooked if a hurricane is imminent! Tarps would work also! Needs to be light to reflect the sun!

Veronica Ronnie Taylor · Answer

Pop up tents they are square secure with milk jugs fill with sand. People use them when they tail gate at football games etc. Might have to adjust over the area you have I think they come 8x8 maybe smaller. Easy to take down and up.

I have to cover our westerly super sunny too hot unseable back patio!

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I have to cover our westerly super sunny too hot unseable back patio!

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