The sun in SC is very hot. I am a backyard grower of ornamental trees and shrubs. I needed to put up shade cloth, but just stringing it from the 4 corner posts was definitely not enough support. Decided to rip 2x4x8's longways and use those as uprights. I found, after the first rain, that the shadecloth was still sagging, so added a center post covered with pipe insulation (to prevent tearing or poking holes in cloth) in the middle. This worked well, and expanded another 10x20' area. This project is not finished. Plans are to build a complete frame (with crossmembers) around the entire areas. The black cloth is 60% shade and the striped one is 80% shade. I put a fan in there and I can work most of the day! Is it perfect? No, but I am not a professional. Is it functional and do what I need it to do? Definitely!
The sun in SC is very hot. I am a backyard grower of ornamental trees and shrubs. I needed to put up shade cloth, but just stringing it from the 4 corner posts was definitely not enough support. Decided to rip 2x4x8's longways and use those as uprights. I found, after the first rain, that the shadecloth was still sagging, so added a center post covered with pipe insulation (to prevent tearing or poking holes in cloth) in the middle. This worked well, and expanded another 10x20' area. This project is not finished. Plans are to build a complete frame (with crossmembers) around the entire areas. The black cloth is 60% shade and the striped one is 80% shade. I put a fan in there and I can work most of the day! Is it perfect? No, but I am not a professional. Is it functional and do what I need it to do? Definitely!
