The July fix that February will hate

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 13.8 ft umbrella
This is a real seasonal trade: it helps in 1 season and hurts in 1.
+0
4242
-10
10090
+50
4292
+0
6060
+10tradeoff
A 8.5 ft panel to the west
This is a real seasonal trade: it helps in 1 season and hurts in 1.
+0
4242
-24
10076
+0
4242
+20
6080
-1tradeoff
A 11.5 ft awning
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
4242
+0
100100
+53
4295
+0
6060
+13weak
Face the seating south
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
4242
+0
100100
+0
4242
+40
60100
+10weak
A deciduous tree 16.4 ft west of the seat
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
4242
+0
100100
+29
4271
+0
6060
+7weak
Horizontal fins above the opening
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
4242
+0
100100
+16
4258
+0
6060
+4weak
What changes by season
A 13.8 ft umbrella

January: unknown 42unknown 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 100unknown 90; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading -93.

July: unknown 42unknown 92; after the change the controlling issue is wetness; direct-sun reading -93.

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

A 8.5 ft panel to the west

January: unknown 42unknown 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 100unknown 76; after the change the controlling issue is wetness; direct-sun reading -92.

July: unknown 42unknown 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

October: unknown 60unknown 80; after the change the controlling issue is wetness; direct-sun reading -92.

A 11.5 ft awning

January: unknown 42unknown 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 100unknown 100; no controlling failure remains; direct-sun reading +0.

July: unknown 42unknown 95; after the change the controlling issue is wetness; direct-sun reading -95.

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

Face the seating south

January: unknown 42unknown 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 100unknown 100; no controlling failure remains; direct-sun reading +0.

July: unknown 42unknown 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

October: unknown 60unknown 100; no controlling failure remains; direct-sun reading +0.

A deciduous tree 16.4 ft west of the seat

January: unknown 42unknown 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 100unknown 100; no controlling failure remains; direct-sun reading -20.

July: unknown 42unknown 71; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading -80.

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

Horizontal fins above the opening

January: unknown 42unknown 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 100unknown 100; no controlling failure remains; direct-sun reading -60.

July: unknown 42unknown 58; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading -66.

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

Annual shortlist

6 exact proposals re-tested

A 13.8 ft umbrella

tradeoff

This is a real seasonal trade: it helps in 1 season and hurts in 1.

Best seasonal delta +50; worst -10; four-season average +10.

A 8.5 ft panel to the west

tradeoff

This is a real seasonal trade: it helps in 1 season and hurts in 1.

Best seasonal delta +20; worst -24; four-season average -1.

A 11.5 ft awning

weak

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

Best seasonal delta +53; worst +0; four-season average +13.

Face the seating south

weak

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

Best seasonal delta +40; worst +0; four-season average +10.

A deciduous tree 16.4 ft west of the seat

weak

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

Best seasonal delta +29; worst +0; four-season average +7.

Horizontal fins above the opening

weak

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

Best seasonal delta +16; worst +0; four-season average +4.