The front porch nobody sits on
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.
| Change | Jan | Apr | Jul | Oct | Average | Year verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A 7.1 ft screen 6.3 ft from the seat It earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest. | +0 42→42 | +35 38→73 | +52 43→95 | +52 42→94 | +35 | seasonal |
| A 6 ft screen close to People on the sidewalk It earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest. | +0 42→42 | +35 38→73 | +52 43→95 | +52 42→94 | +35 | seasonal |
| An evergreen hedge to about 7.3 ft It earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest. | +0 42→42 | +34 38→72 | +53 43→96 | +51 42→93 | +35 | seasonal |
| A drawable outdoor curtain It earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest. | +0 42→42 | +34 38→72 | +52 43→95 | +51 42→93 | +34 | seasonal |
| A second seat 19.7 ft east This is a real seasonal trade: it helps in 1 season and hurts in 1. | +0 42→42 | +6 38→44 | -12 43→31 | +2 42→44 | -1 | tradeoff |
| Move the table 6.6 ft east The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year. | +0 42→42 | +0 38→38 | -1 43→42 | -4 42→38 | -1 | weak |
What changes by season
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 38 → tight 73; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 43 → works 95; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 42 → works 94; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 38 → tight 73; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 43 → works 95; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 42 → works 94; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 38 → tight 72; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 43 → works 96; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 42 → works 93; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 38 → tight 72; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 43 → works 95; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 42 → works 93; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 38 → no 44; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 43 → no 31; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 42 → no 44; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading -100.
January: no 42 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.
April: no 38 → no 38; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.
July: no 43 → no 42; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading +0.
October: no 42 → no 38; after the change the controlling issue is privacy exposure; direct-sun reading -100.
Annual shortlist
6 exact proposals re-testedA 7.1 ft screen 6.3 ft from the seat
seasonalIt earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
Best seasonal delta +52; worst +0; four-season average +35.
A 6 ft screen close to People on the sidewalk
seasonalIt earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
Best seasonal delta +52; worst +0; four-season average +35.
An evergreen hedge to about 7.3 ft
seasonalIt earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
Best seasonal delta +53; worst +0; four-season average +35.
A drawable outdoor curtain
seasonalIt earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
Best seasonal delta +52; worst +0; four-season average +34.
A second seat 19.7 ft east
tradeoffThis is a real seasonal trade: it helps in 1 season and hurts in 1.
Best seasonal delta +6; worst -12; four-season average -1.
Move the table 6.6 ft east
weakThe same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
Best seasonal delta +0; worst -4; four-season average -1.