Ive got a pergola to build. I would like to orient the top boards at an angle and pitch that will block the p.m. summer sun, but allow the a.m. winter sun to pass thru. Ihave found sun charts for my geographic location but I’m not confident about getting this right. Anyone done this before, or know of a web resource for this kind of thing? Thanks
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Replies
Why don't you lay some boards across a saw horse set and see what works best.
Then orient your boards on your pergola to match your results.
ANDYSZ2
WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
There's a free 3D modeling program called Sketchup (http://www.sketchup.com) that will simulate sunshine at any time of day or year for your location. You could pretty quickly mock up your pergola and test it out visually. It's not as difficult to use as it might look at first.
Mike
Sketchup kicks ####! This is exactly what I needed. Thank's mate you're a legend.
Man, that's a cool approach - gotta remember that.
Forrest
Unless you have a specific time and date that you want the most light to fall thru, or to get the most shading, lifting them to 45* and oriented 30* south of east will work.
If your winter is in July, that would be 30* north of east
SamT