The covered patio the low sun still reaches

Do not let one good July afternoon approve a permanent object.

This is the annual vote. The same proposed screen, awning, pergola, move or planting change is held fixed while the engine re-runs the property in winter, spring, summer and autumn.

The hour is intentionally held constant. This isolates seasonal geometry instead of letting a different clock time flatter the proposal.

The year, in one line

Everything below is about a change. Before that, it is worth knowing what the place already does — the hours it is open, month by month, on one page you can put on a fridge.

Before a permanent change gets to win

Make January, April, July and October vote on it.

These are the exact same proposed objects re-run through the engine in four seasons. A summer fix that steals winter sun cannot hide inside one July score.

Same geometry · four seasons
ChangeJanAprJulOctAverageYear verdict
A drawable outdoor curtain
It earns its keep in 2 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
+3
9396
+59
3796
-4
4137
+33
6396
+23seasonal
A 13.8 ft umbrella
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
9393
+62
3799
+0
4141
+2
6365
+16weak
A 6.9 ft panel to the west
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+4
9397
-2
3735
-3
4138
+34
6397
+8weak
A deciduous tree 23 ft west of the seat
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
9393
+18
3755
+0
4141
+0
6363
+5weak
Move the table 8.2 ft south-east
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
9393
+0
3737
-3
4138
-3
6360
-1weak
A second seat 19.7 ft south
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
9393
+0
3737
+1
4142
-6
6357
-1weak
What changes by season
A drawable outdoor curtain

January: unknown 93unknown 96; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading -88.

April: unknown 37unknown 96; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading -88.

July: unknown 41unknown 37; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

October: unknown 63unknown 96; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading -88.

A 13.8 ft umbrella

January: unknown 93unknown 93; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 37unknown 99; after the change the controlling issue is wetness; direct-sun reading -93.

July: unknown 41unknown 41; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

October: unknown 63unknown 65; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.

A 6.9 ft panel to the west

January: unknown 93unknown 97; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading -92.

April: unknown 37unknown 35; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

July: unknown 41unknown 38; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

October: unknown 63unknown 97; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading -92.

A deciduous tree 23 ft west of the seat

January: unknown 93unknown 93; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 37unknown 55; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading -20.

July: unknown 41unknown 41; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

October: unknown 63unknown 63; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.

Move the table 8.2 ft south-east

January: unknown 93unknown 93; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 37unknown 37; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

July: unknown 41unknown 38; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

October: unknown 63unknown 60; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.

A second seat 19.7 ft south

January: unknown 93unknown 93; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 37unknown 37; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

July: unknown 41unknown 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +100.

October: unknown 63unknown 57; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +0.

Annual shortlist

6 exact proposals re-tested

A drawable outdoor curtain

seasonal

It earns its keep in 2 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.

Best seasonal delta +59; worst -4; four-season average +23.

A 13.8 ft umbrella

weak

The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.

Best seasonal delta +62; worst +0; four-season average +16.

A 6.9 ft panel to the west

weak

The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.

Best seasonal delta +34; worst -3; four-season average +8.

A deciduous tree 23 ft west of the seat

weak

The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.

Best seasonal delta +18; worst +0; four-season average +5.

Move the table 8.2 ft south-east

weak

The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.

Best seasonal delta +0; worst -3; four-season average -1.

A second seat 19.7 ft south

weak

The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.

Best seasonal delta +1; worst -6; four-season average -1.