Shade screen on top of your pergola or trellis
will block heat and create a cool updraft. |
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Your pergola or trellis
cover can give you outdoor comfort and last for years. All
that is needed is the proper shade screen material and for it to
be correctly mounted. |
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Selecting the Proper Screen Mesh to Cool the
Area Below |
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Two things must be
considered: The openness of the weave and durability. The weave
needs to be about 20% open to allow hot air to rise and escape.
Screen with about 80% density works well. |
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When hot air is allowed
to rise and escape, the cooler ground or deck air created by the
shade will rise to fill the void. This air-conditioning effect is
what you want to achieve. |
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For durability, you
need a screen that contains UV inhibitors that protect the screen
from becoming brittle by sunlight deterioration. |
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Installing (mounting) the Pergola or Trellis
Cover |
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The cover needs to be
mounted in a manner that it is held tight and not allowed to
billow. If it billows, it will become a sail and high winds can
rip it away. This is why mounting on top of the structure rafters
is much better than attempting to mount below. |
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How much of the
overhead structure that needs to be covered depends upon where the
pattern of shade needs to be. Certainly, the people below wish to
be in the shade. However, the area of the ground or deck which
will provide the creation of cooler air is also an important
factor. |
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If direct sunlight from
one or more sides of the structure is engulfing the area needing shade, then shade
screen will need to be applied to those vertical locations also. This protection may be in
the form of shade screen drapes, curtains or be a permanent
installation. |
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Construction of the
cover should be similar to that of a tarp. Edges should be hemmed
for strength and grommets should be inserted around the edges and
spaced out at about twelve to sixteen inches apart. |
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The use of grommets is
valuable when fastening directly to a wood or an extruded aluminum
structure. They are a necessity when rope lacing or tying off to a
tubular frame. If lacing, the the grommet spacing should be closer
to six inches apart. |
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Visit
PTIscreen Home Page for a complete listing of
Screen Mesh Products |
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The staff at Protect
Industries is always ready to assist whether it be choosing the right
screen or innovative mounting design for hard to attach areas. |
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