Camo Netting for Shade structure

[dnightshade]

This will be my second year at Burning man. This will be my first year not going with a theme camp. I'm going with a group of other people and we are trying to come up with a good way to shade ourselves.

Anyways I have a quonset hut... monkey hut style shade structure. Which is good for a common area. However, I bought a new tent this year. I got a springbar tent. At the time they were out of the shade structure that come with some the tents. Now my tent won't fit under the quonset hut because it's so tall.

Anyways we were thinking about trying out camo netting this year. I was wondering how on would go about rigging camo netting up. Do we need a structure or can we just drape it over our tents? Any input would be appreciated.

[TomServo]

You can drape it, but id use a couple, well secured posts, to take full advantage of the shade. Helped my buddy set up his camo netting @ 4th of juplaya, just before a huge dust storm...didn't seem to affect the netting.

[Token]

Camo netting won't help much shading a tent. Most camo is 40% shade. To keep a tent cool you need full shade.

Spreader bars for camo are usually sold at the same surplus merchants. They work as if they were designed for the camo.

[TomServo]

Camo netting won't help much shading a tent. Most camo is 40% shade. To keep a tent cool you need full shade.

Spreader bars for camo are usually sold at the same surplus merchants. They work as if they were designed for the camo.

I disagree. Its constantly moving, so id say 60% at least. And I've always enjoyed it!...let's air in

[Token]

Oh its great for general shade, sitting under, breeze and all. I double mine up.

Problem with tents in camo shade is that the solar oven effect happens in the tent unless the shade is complete, 100%.

You might gain 15 minutes or half hour extra sleep if that is the goal.

I guess it's better than nothing.

[dnightshade]

So do you think it'd be better to do something with aluminet or a UV coated tarp?

I'm trying to prevent myself from having to make three quonsets huts for everyone camping. Plus we're shipping all our gear from new england so it is also space limiting.

Keep in mind I'll be using a linen tent instead of a nylon one. I hear linen is more breathable. I've also heard that you can spray water on the outside of the linen tent and the linen will absorb it... then create some type of swamp cooler effect.

Granted I'm not sure how true all this is, but it is what I've heard.

[Token]

Aluminet is by far the most portable shade cloth. Super light and packs well. If you can afford it, best stuff on earth.

Indont bring mine to the playa anymore. Its in my garden shading my tomatoes.

You can probably stretch it over your tent since the Springbars have the strong poles.

Aluminet is also directional WRT light diffusion. If you examine the pattern, you can stack two sheets of 70% orthogonally to get near 100% shade.

[dnightshade]

So far I feel like my options for shading this tent are either 1) making a new monkey hut... redesigning it so it's taller then the original one. 2) Using aluminet stretching over tent. 3) getting a carport. 4) using camo netting which most people seem to think don't give enough shade.

My friend who is also going down with us also purchased a springbar tent. He's not really the preparing type so I'm basically coming up with some type of idea for both of us to use.

[TomServo]

All you need is 4 posts, either PVC or steel Conduit, some rope and rebar. Keep wind resistance in mind. If you want 100% shade, build a box. But id still consider netting!

[Stickygreen]

All you need is 4 posts, either PVC or steel Conduit, some rope and rebar. Keep wind resistance in mind. If you want 100% shade, build a box. But id still consider netting!

forget the PVC, or steel post, although they are good suggestions. Just bring a few 2x2, you can cut them , drill them , staple them, and best of all, you can burn them before you go home. having to carry shit in only one direction is great for people coming from a distance!

[steve.t.sullivan]

Oh its great for general shade, sitting under, breeze and all. I double mine up.

Problem with tents in camo shade is that the solar oven effect happens in the tent unless the shade is complete, 100%.

You might gain 15 minutes or half hour extra sleep if that is the goal.

I guess it's better than nothing.

I'd been debating between a heavy duty silver tarp and shade netting (shade maximization versus stability in storm conditions). Your post pretty much convinced me I should do the tarp and take a chance.

[AntiM]

We double our camo netting and it provides a nice dense shade. Airflow is marvelous and it doesn't flap or try to take off in the wind.

[some seeing eye]

Thanks Mr Token for the crossed Aluminet tip!

Aluminet can be ordered from specialized greenhouse suppliers. The bulk of it goes to commercial greenhouses and farms. Now is crush time for orders, and it takes longer if you need the edges taped and grommeted, which I recommend.

If you are going to order Aluminet for Burning Man there is often a cutoff for orders in time for the event that is about 3 weeks before = NOW. Plan accordingly.

I like Gothic Arch Greenhouses and they have a special BM order desk. There are several other fine suppliers as well.

[TomServo]

Thanks for bumping this thread. Reminded me of a question I never asked. While aluminet can be punctured by sharp objects, yet will not tear...does the affected area produce aluminum moop?

[some seeing eye]

It doesn't shed. It does puncture. It's flat aluminized mylar which is tough and stretchy, that runs at cross direction to another weave that is also somewhat stretchy and very tough. It can be "punctured" where a hole stretches the weave apart. So if you have a post in the middle of a sheet, you need to spread the force out. It will catch some wind, but not like a tarp.

[CornMan]

I bought a camo net recently. I think I'll drape it over our pub mainly for decoration.

[theCryptofishist]

I bought a camo net recently. I think I'll drape it over our pub mainly for decoration.

And to hide it from pesky sting operations...