The covered patio the low sun still reaches

Buy nothing yetMove the table before you buy the pergola.

Before you buy a pergola, move the table.

Every change below is put into the plan and the whole model is run again. That is why a pergola's winter cost shows up here without anybody having written it down, and why the cheapest thing that actually buys hours back is allowed to win.

Fixing

For

Reading at

5:00 PM·October

In the sun. The sun is 7° up.

Where it stands now

Dinner outside

We cannot say yet whether Covered dinner table works for dinner outside, because privacy exposure is still unanswered.

“Unanswered” means missing evidence prevents a reliable verdict. The questions that need answering are listed below.

Close to the limit Glare is 43 / 100 — 15 over (at most 28)Worked out: Computed from the geometry, the sun and the weather you gave it.
The sun sits about 24 degrees from where a person at this seat is looking, at 7 degrees above the horizon. That is straight in the eyes.
You cannot look at the person across the table with the sun behind their head.

Still unanswered:Privacy exposureNoise

Why these are unanswered

Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.
Noise. Nobody has told us what the noise is like here, and it is not something geometry can infer.

What would change this. This stays unanswered until privacy exposure is known. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

Confidence low (38%). Treat this as a starting hypothesis, not an answer.

What this answer was built from

Use: Dinner outside
Place: Covered dinner table
Weather: Hot desert, brutal summers, almost no cloud (scenario shape), scenario (from a published source)
Method: Traced geometry and radiation at this hour, measured against what this use needs

The smallest thing that helps at this hour

A 6 ft 11 in panel to the west

A 6 ft 11 in panel to the west fixes glare and costs you view.

Summer solstice, 21 June: no usable hours then, with or without this change.

Winter solstice, 21 December: no usable hours then, with or without this change.

On this day: glare is what keeps it shut. With this change, view is what keeps it shut.

On the summer solstice: what it feels like is what keeps it shut, and direct sun on the seat is the part that moves how it feels, with or without this change.

On the winter solstice: what it feels like is what keeps it shut, and how much sky is overhead is the part that moves how it feels, with or without this change.

No extra hours this daya project

Nothing on the list buys extra hours on this day, so this is the least effort that still moves a limit.

Not offered, and why

No observer is marked, so there is no sightline to interrupt yet.
No observer is marked to screen from.
Wind is not the limiting factor at this spot, so a windbreak solves a problem you do not have.
This surface is already about as pale as exterior paving usefully gets.
Every fixture here is already fully shielded.
Nothing here is low enough for a step up to see over.
No mature canopy here to work on.
There is no boundary here to build on.
No observer is marked to screen from.
No observer is marked to screen from.
No observer is marked to screen from.
Wind is not what is limiting this spot.
Wind is not what is limiting this spot.
Wind is not what is limiting this spot.
Wind is not what is limiting this spot.
Nothing here is relying on a deciduous canopy, so there is no winter gap to fill.
This point is a place for people, not a place for a plant.
This ground already sheds water quickly.
This surface already drains freely.
Every fixture here is already warm.
There is no lighting here to rearrange.

18 changes, tested at 5:00 PM in October

One at a time, so you can tell what caused whatLook at the plan

Does it have to suit you?

All 18 changes, in the order the engine ranked them. Say something about your situation and the ones that would not suit you get set aside.

I rent, so nothing permanentRules out anything that cannot be taken away again.
Nothing that needs a builderRules out changes that need footings, trades or a structure fixing to the house.
I want it working this seasonRules out planting and anything else that only works once it has grown.
I will not maintain itRules out anything needing regular watering, pruning or seasonal putting away.

TestA projectYou can undo it

A 6 ft 11 in panel to the west

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

A 6 ft 11 in panel to the west fixes glare and costs you view.

A solid panel about 6 feet 11 inches high and 9 feet 10 inches wide, standing 7 feet 3 inches to the west. Low sun arrives almost horizontally, and only something vertical stops it.

Gained: Glare
Lost: View
Unchanged: Nothing here.
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: A 6 ft 11 in panel to the west
If it worked: glare no longer stops the hour.
If it didn’t: If view is the new problem, the trade was not worth it.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

+0 hours of usable time on this day.

Summer solstice, 21 June: no usable hours then, with or without this change.

Winter solstice, 21 December: no usable hours then, with or without this change.

Solstice hours are how long this use can happen on those days. The beam sentence is one clock time, and a different number.

On this day: glare is what keeps it shut. With this change, view is what keeps it shut.

On the summer solstice: what it feels like is what keeps it shut, and direct sun on the seat is the part that moves how it feels, with or without this change.

On the winter solstice: what it feels like is what keeps it shut, and how much sky is overhead is the part that moves how it feels, with or without this change.

Summer beam up about 0 per cent, winter beam down about 92 per cent at this hour.

TestA projectYou can undo it

A drawable outdoor curtain

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

A drawable outdoor curtain fixes glare and costs you view.

A heavy outdoor curtain on a track, drawn across the west side when it is wanted and open the rest of the time.

Gained: Glare
Lost: View
Unchanged: Nothing here.
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: A drawable outdoor curtain
If it worked: glare no longer stops the hour.
If it didn’t: If view is the new problem, the trade was not worth it.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

+0 hours of usable time on this day.

Summer solstice, 21 June: no usable hours then, with or without this change.

Winter solstice, 21 December: no usable hours then, with or without this change.

Solstice hours are how long this use can happen on those days. The beam sentence is one clock time, and a different number.

On this day: glare is what keeps it shut. With this change, view is what keeps it shut.

On the summer solstice: what it feels like is what keeps it shut, and direct sun on the seat is the part that moves how it feels. With this change, what it feels like is what keeps it shut, and how much sky is overhead is the part that moves how it feels.

On the winter solstice: what it feels like is what keeps it shut, and how much sky is overhead is the part that moves how it feels, with or without this change.

Summer beam up about 0 per cent, winter beam down about 88 per cent at this hour.

TestMove itYou can undo it

Move the table 8 ft 2 in south-east

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

Move the table 8 ft 2 in south-east does not move this in any way worth the effort.

Slide the seating about 8 feet 2 inches toward the south-east and change nothing else.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: Move the table 8 ft 2 in south-east
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

+0 hours of usable time on this day.

Summer solstice, 21 June: no usable hours then, with or without this change.

Winter solstice, 21 December: no usable hours then, with or without this change.

Solstice hours are how long this use can happen on those days. The beam sentence is one clock time, and a different number.

On this day: glare is what keeps it shut, with or without this change.

On the winter solstice: what it feels like is what keeps it shut, and how much sky is overhead is the part that moves how it feels, with or without this change.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

TestMove itYou can undo it

Sit under Deep patio roof

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

Sit under Deep patio roof does not move this in any way worth the effort.

Move the seating under Deep patio roof, which is already standing and already casting something. Costs nothing and takes an afternoon of trying it.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: Sit under Deep patio roof
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

+0 hours of usable time on this day.

Summer solstice, 21 June: no usable hours then, with or without this change.

Winter solstice, 21 December: no usable hours then, with or without this change.

Solstice hours are how long this use can happen on those days. The beam sentence is one clock time, and a different number.

On this day: glare is what keeps it shut, with or without this change.

On the summer solstice: what it feels like is what keeps it shut, and direct sun on the seat is the part that moves how it feels, with or without this change.

On the winter solstice: what it feels like is what keeps it shut, and how much sky is overhead is the part that moves how it feels, with or without this change.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

TestMove itYou can undo it

Two 8 ft 2 in parasols instead of one

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

Two 8 ft 2 in parasols instead of one does not move this in any way worth the effort.

Two parasols about 8 feet 2 inches across, set 7 feet 3 inches apart along the table. Between them they cover a rectangle, which is the shape a table actually is.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: Two 8 ft 2 in parasols instead of one
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

TestAn afternoonYou can undo it

A 9 ft 10 in umbrella

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

A 9 ft 10 in umbrella does not move this in any way worth the effort.

A 9 feet 10 inches canopy at about 7 feet 7 inches, tilted toward the low sun.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: A 9 ft 10 in umbrella
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

TestAn afternoonYou can undo it

Two low shielded lights instead of one high one

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

Two low shielded lights instead of one high one does not move this in any way worth the effort.

Add a pair of shielded 200 lumen fixtures at knee height near the seating, so the useful light is where people are rather than thrown across the garden.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: Two low shielded lights instead of one high one
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

TestA projectYou can undo it

A shade sail over the seating

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

A shade sail over the seating does not move this in any way worth the effort.

A sail about 16 feet 5 inches by 13 feet 1 inch, set at about 9 feet 2 inches and angled to shed water.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: A shade sail over the seating
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

TestA projectYou can undo itYears to work

A deciduous climber on tensioned wires

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

A deciduous climber on tensioned wires does not move this in any way worth the effort.

Wires strung about 8 feet 6 inches above the seating with a vigorous deciduous climber trained across them. In leaf it shades like a light pergola; bare, it gives back most of the winter sun a solid roof would have kept.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: A deciduous climber on tensioned wires
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

CommitmentA projectPermanent

An 8 ft 2 in awning

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

An 8 ft 2 in awning does not move this in any way worth the effort.

A folding-arm awning projecting 8 feet 2 inches from the house wall at about 8 feet 6 inches, retracted out of season.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: An 8 ft 2 in awning
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

CommitmentA projectPermanentYears to work

A deciduous tree 16 ft 5 in west of the seat

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

A deciduous tree 16 ft 5 in west of the seat does not move this in any way worth the effort.

A medium deciduous tree planted 16 feet 5 inches to the west, grown to about 26 feet, with a crown roughly 19 feet 8 inches across.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: A deciduous tree 16 ft 5 in west of the seat
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

CommitmentA buildPermanent

A pergola with open slats

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

A pergola with open slats does not move this in any way worth the effort.

A pergola about 13 feet 1 inch square at 8 feet 6 inches with open slats, slats running roughly north.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: A pergola with open slats
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

CommitmentA buildPermanent

An adjustable louvred roof

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

An adjustable louvred roof does not move this in any way worth the effort.

A louvred roof about 13 feet 1 inch square at 8 feet 6 inches, blades running north and closable.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: An adjustable louvred roof
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

CommitmentA buildPermanent

A solid canopy over the seating

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

A solid canopy over the seating does not move this in any way worth the effort.

A solid roof about 11 feet 2 inches above the seating, 13 feet 1 inch by 11 feet 6 inches, guttered on the low edge. Unlike fabric it works in rain, and unlike a pergola it takes the winter light too.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: A solid canopy over the seating
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

CommitmentA buildPermanent

Horizontal fins above the opening

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

Horizontal fins above the opening does not move this in any way worth the effort.

A run of fixed horizontal fins projecting about 2 feet 4 inches from House, set above head height. Geometry does the work: high summer sun is cut, low winter sun passes under, and the view out is barely touched.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: Horizontal fins above the opening
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

CommitmentA buildPermanent

A ventilated timber deck instead

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

A ventilated timber deck instead does not move this in any way worth the effort.

Replace Pale slab with a ventilated timber deck. Heavy paving charges all afternoon and radiates back until well after dark, which is why an evening terrace can feel hotter than the air. A light deck over an air gap is done within the hour.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: A ventilated timber deck instead
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

CommitmentA buildPermanent

Take up the paving and plant it

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

Take up the paving and plant it does not move this in any way worth the effort.

Lift Pale slab and plant it. Nothing else on this list moves surface temperature as far: paving in full sun sits twenty degrees or more above the air, while planted ground transpires and typically sits at or below it. It is also the only change here that gets better rather than worse over ten years.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: Nothing here.
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: Take up the paving and plant it
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

It does not meaningfully change the beam in either season.

TestMove itYou can undo it

A second seat 19 ft 8 in south

ForecastUnansweredstill Unanswered

A second seat 19 ft 8 in south does not move this in any way worth the effort.

Put two chairs 19 feet 8 inches to the south and leave the main table where it is. The point is not to fix this spot but to stop needing it at the hour it does not work.

Gained: Nothing here.
Lost: What it feels like
Unchanged: Glare
Still unanswered: Privacy exposure
Noise

The test: A second seat 19 ft 8 in south
If it worked: The hour is easier, even if no single limit disappeared.
If it didn’t: If glare still stops the hour after you try it, this was not the mechanism.
Next evidence: Privacy exposure. No observer has been placed yet. Privacy is a question about who can see in from where, and until one is marked there is nothing to answer.

Summer beam up about 100 per cent, winter beam up about 0 per cent at this hour.