Shade Cloth for Awning

[jl8088]

Anyone have any recommendations for purchasing some "shade cloth" for a custom made awning off of a roof rack?

I'd prefer to stay away from standard "tarp" type material as i know it is pretty noisy in the wind. I'm looking for some other options that may not be canvas as i know it is pretty heavy. Are there any other materials that you guys know of that would work.

Thanks for your input.

Jeff
San Diego

 

[articulate]

Ripstop nylon --- also known as "tent material." Lightweight, durable, sheds water, somewhat costly but not outrageous. A shade awning is exactly what it was designed for.

Several online fabrics retailers will sell the stuff between $6-$10 per yard (at 60" widths), depending on the quality.

 

[allnew2me]

You might want to go to a canvas shop and look at the Sunbrella fabric. It is not that heavy and comes in dozens of colors and patterns, solids, cool stripes. I was able to buy some for some shades at a wholesaler for half the retail price. Look under canvas in the yellow pages under suppliers. It is still pricey but you probably don't need that much and it lasts for many years in the direct sun. Pick a good color, you may never wear it out.

 

[mtn-high]

http://www.catalogclearance.com/depts/shadecloth.html/?wcw=google

This site has a wide selection of shade cloths in various colors/sizes and will also make you custom sizes/etc. I have a triangular sail-type shade cloth on my deck that I got from them that I'm very pleased with. The edges are well-bound with brass grommets every 2 ft and it is built like a top-quality tarp. Wait time was just over a week or so and they were very helpful. (in fact, I had them make their first "sail" type shade for me...so there's a good chance they they may remember it/me!)

I'm waiting for my new FWC Hawk to arrive but chose to forego the wimpy 8ft. awning option and spend the $$$ on a rigging of my own design. My thought is that a 2 or 3 peice system that could be tailored for the site would be nice...including a shade cloth that covers the top of the camper and the windows of the truck for very sunny/hot locales.

good luck in your search

mtn-high

 

[paulj]

In San Diego I'd check the marine suppliers. Boats require shade that can stand up to alot of wind and sun.

 

[VikingVince]

http://www.catalogclearance.com/depts/shadecloth.html/?wcw=google

This site has a wide selection of shade cloths in various colors/sizes and will also make you custom sizes/etc. I have a triangular sail-type shade cloth on my deck that I got from them that I'm very pleased with. The edges are well-bound with brass grommets every 2 ft and it is built like a top-quality tarp. Wait time was just over a week or so and they were very helpful. (in fact, I had them make their first "sail" type shade for me...so there's a good chance they they may remember it/me!)

I'm waiting for my new FWC Hawk to arrive but chose to forego the wimpy 8ft. awning option and spend the $$$ on a rigging of my own design. My thought is that a 2 or 3 peice system that could be tailored for the site would be nice...including a shade cloth that covers the top of the camper and the windows of the truck for very sunny/hot locales.

good luck in your search

mtn-high

Am wondering what percent shade cloth you're using or if you've tried different ones. I believe it's available in 20-90 percent shade...with the varying tightness of the weave resulting in lower to higher degrees of shade. I've often thought of trying the 90 percent shade cloth.

 

[mtn-high]

For the patio "sail" I went with the 65% shade in green.

For camping, I'm gonna go with 90%. The 65% definitely drops the temps but if you're out where there's no/little other shelter for extended periods you'd probably want more, IMO.

If you noticed there are also 2 types of shade cloth offered. One is more durable/heavier nylon and that's the one I went for. Very nice. Well made.

I can definitely recommend these folks and feel good about it from the experience I had. (cutting on the bias/making a triangular shade was new for them but they did it when I asked them to try)

mtn-high

 

[paulj]

I've bought several short lengths of this open weave shade cloth from a garden shop, not for shade, but for use as floor mat at the entrance of tent. I use it 2 or more layers thick, depending on the space I want to cover.

 

[Czechsix]

I'll second the Sunbrella stuff. There's a decent sail maker down off of Rosecrans that I used some years ago, but that area is rife with all sorts of chandlers and sailmakers. You shouldn't have any problems with it. If you can't find it there for some reason, then I'd try UFO in Vista, I've found lots of good things there in the past.

 

[jl8088]

Hey Guys, Thanks for all the helpful information. I'll continue my reasearch down these directions.

-Jeff-

 

[madizell]

I just finished sun screens for a 10x10 Easy-Up, made from sun shade material I purchased at Lowes (or was it Home Depot?). A 50' roll 6' wide was around $70. Did the cutting, fitting, and sewing myself on a home sewing machine using a "leather" needle, no problems. I believe the material I used is 86% shade, and is in a tan/blue tweed that is light colored to look at and cool to sit under. If you need to install grommets, you can get a grommet tool and do it yourself, as they are quite cheap and easy. It is also easy to install rope reinforcement in the edges or around attach points if needed.

Next project is shades for the deck made from the same basic material in a 90+% black shade material. I am thinking probably in triangular sail shapes.

As for using this material instead of tarps, I would say it is far superior to tarp material, way better than canvas, lasts longer, catches far less wind, lets through a fair bit of breeze, and you will be all around more pleased with it over a common plastic tarp.

 

[madizell]

Source for a wide variety of materials for DIY sun shade:

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/products.asp?dept=1117&gclid=CKfXzZOd7ZQCFSQqagod1j38qA

 

[jl8088]

It looks like i'm leaning toward post #4 as they will do any custom shape and include the grommeting every two feet.The have shade cloth in a variety of ranges and color (i'm looking at 80% Black). I also bought some tent poles ($20 buck for 2) from amazon that extend to 8 feet to use around the perimeter that is not attached to my safari rack.

The home depot route would be great assuming i had a sewing machine. The prices don't seem bad with post #4 even with custom designs.

Thanks for all the great info. This forum is fantastic.