[Seth99]

Hi
I have an open terrace. It is only 5.5 square meters big. My wife cannot take the sun beating on her head there. I want to build her some kind of roof. We are renting here for only one more year, so I don't want to spend a lot of money on it. I thought of putting four flower pots filled with earth on all corners of the porch, sticking wooden poles in them, and then finding a way to attach a vinyl (or other waterproof) cloth above the poles as a roof. If you can just please give me some ideas of the type of pieces I would need to attach the vinyl to the poles, I would be very grateful. Thank you

[ballengerb1]

Since you are renting I don't think anything permanent is a good idea so the flower pot idea is going along the right direction. Companies like Home have many options that can be folded up and carted off when you move.

[joypulv]

Go to Walmart and buy a tent on 4 poles.
4 poles in pots won't hold straight enough in even a slight wind. You either need to set them pretty far into the earth, or use tent stakes, or those weighted round bases used under patio umbrellas.

[Seth99]

Thanks very much. You have totally solved my problem. I am greatly appreciative.

[ma0641]

Many stores carry the pop up style shade shelter. Measure 8X 8 and 10 X 10 or larger. Right now they are seasonal closeouts at Walmart and HD.

[Seth99]

Thanks for the input. The terrace is only 6 feet by 10 feet, though, so the pop-up style is too large. I am going to go with a patio umbrella, even though I won't be able to open it fully, so it may look ridiculous..

The websites people here gave me were great, but upon careful inspection I see they do not have a canopy small enough for my needs. (And I cannot use tent stakes because the terrace floor is made of concrete.)

[ma0641]

How about a Sombrero and SPF 50? Just kidding. Check some of the children's toy stores, they sometimes have smaller items.

[Seth99]

(I remeasured the area. It comes to 5 feet by 11 feet.)

Avatar, thanks for your idea. It is very helpful. I will look around.

I still don't understand why I can't just do my first idea - poles stuck in deep earth. I just need something that will attach to all four poles and form a roof frame, that I can put vinyl around.

[Seth99]

At this point I give up.

Since the sun is usually to the side of where my wife sits, I just want to know how to put up a shade behind her, using two poles stuck in earth to hold it up.
Thank you

[ma0641]

Now you pose a different scenario. First it was a roof, but now a side is OK? In that case, you can stretch a piece of vinyl or cloth between 2 poles.. That should work as long as it isn't too heavy.

[Seth99]

Thanks very much. This is indeed what I will do. (I will attach the poles to the metal guard rail on the terrace.)

I appreciate all of your help.

[joypulv]

Poles in a pot of dirt, even packed, will work until the wind blows.

[ma0641]

I was at WalMart yesterday and they had a grill canopy, measured about 5X7, about 6ft. High. Was a closeout in the garden section for $69

[Seth99]

What a great idea you've given me. I never would have thought of that. Thanks very much.

(Sorry for the delay in responding)