On Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:47:42 +1000, "David Hare-Scott"
wrote:

W wrote:
I am looking for an extremely simple design for an arbor shade for
various points around a house. One idea I had was to put up a
single pole at each end with a cross beam, and then put supporting
beams at the far ends of each crossbeam to the other pole's
crossbeam. Then I could roll over that structure any kind of
shading, maybe using some very simple wood beams attached to each
other by rope. Does any vendor sell this kind of structure as a
kit / system?

Even if they don't have to carry much weight shade structures can carry
quite a lot of sail area, something people tend to forget. You don't want
something that will blow down in the first high wind. Check out "Decks &
Pergolas Construction Manual" by Allan Staines. It is a cheap paperback
with loads of content. Even if you don't end up building it yourself it
will show you what is possible and the design and construction principles.
It's an Australian publication (which means it may not fit your building
code exactly) but I would expect it to be available internationally.

David


Wind is a primary concern. It is difficult to design for
unpredictable wind forces.