The patio the neighbour's window sets on fire

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 shade sail over the seating
It earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
+0
3939
+7
6370
+53
3992
+9
6675
+17seasonal
A pergola with close-spaced slats
It earns its keep in 2 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
+0
3939
+4
6367
+58
3997
+7
6673
+17seasonal
A 11.5 ft awning
It earns its keep in 2 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
+0
3939
+3
6366
+50
3989
+5
6671
+15seasonal
A second seat 19.7 ft south
It earns its keep in 2 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
+3
3942
+37
63100
+3
3942
+12
6678
+14seasonal
Two 8.2 ft parasols instead of one
It earns its keep in 2 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.
+0
3939
+6
6369
+0
3939
+9
6675
+4seasonal
Raise the seating 3 ft
The same built change does not produce a dependable improvement across the year.
+0
3939
+34
6397
+0
3939
-1
6665
+8weak
What changes by season
A shade sail over the seating

January: unknown 39unknown 39; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 63unknown 70; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

July: unknown 39unknown 92; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading -88.

October: unknown 66unknown 75; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading +0.

A pergola with close-spaced slats

January: unknown 39unknown 39; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 63unknown 67; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

July: unknown 39unknown 97; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading -81.

October: unknown 66unknown 73; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading +0.

A 11.5 ft awning

January: unknown 39unknown 39; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 63unknown 66; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

July: unknown 39unknown 89; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading -95.

October: unknown 66unknown 71; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

A second seat 19.7 ft south

January: unknown 39unknown 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 63unknown 100; no controlling failure remains; direct-sun reading +100.

July: unknown 39unknown 42; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

October: unknown 66unknown 78; after the change the controlling issue is glare; direct-sun reading +100.

Two 8.2 ft parasols instead of one

January: unknown 39unknown 39; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 63unknown 69; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

July: unknown 39unknown 39; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

October: unknown 66unknown 75; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading +0.

Raise the seating 3 ft

January: unknown 39unknown 39; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

April: unknown 63unknown 97; after the change the controlling issue is view; direct-sun reading +100.

July: unknown 39unknown 39; after the change the controlling issue is what it feels like; direct-sun reading +0.

October: unknown 66unknown 65; after the change the controlling issue is wetness; direct-sun reading +0.

Annual shortlist

6 exact proposals re-tested

A shade sail over the seating

seasonal

It earns its keep in 3 seasons and is roughly neutral in the rest.

Best seasonal delta +53; worst +0; four-season average +17.

A pergola with close-spaced slats

seasonal

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

Best seasonal delta +58; worst +0; four-season average +17.

A 11.5 ft awning

seasonal

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

Best seasonal delta +50; worst +0; four-season average +15.

A second seat 19.7 ft south

seasonal

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

Best seasonal delta +37; worst +3; four-season average +14.

Two 8.2 ft parasols instead of one

seasonal

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

Best seasonal delta +9; worst +0; four-season average +4.

Raise the seating 3 ft

weak

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

Best seasonal delta +34; worst -1; four-season average +8.