AboutRichard Taylor, AIA Expertise Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.
Experience I own a five-person residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture. .
Organizations American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Past Editor of SPLASH (a CAD program), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Boy Scouts of America
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Richard Taylor Architects Looking for great Luxury Home House Plans? Try ours at RTA Plans.
Question Hi, THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ANSWER. I AM RENTING A HOME, IT HAS A LARGE CONCRETE PATIO (APPR 24'L X 6'W) BUT NOTHING ABOVE TO RELIEVE US FROM THE SUN! WE are in miami, fl. i am looking for something inexpensive to build or place on with minimal attachment to the home itself. Someone suggested lattice around and above but not sure if it is what I want. Ideas? I would like for it to be fairly easily broken down if the landlord wanted to remove it after we leave. (ex: removing a few things of wood from the ground) not too difficult because i am a single woman and not alot of carpentry knowledge, but learning...ha ha! really want shade! Thanks , stacy
Answer Hi Stacy - thanks for your question!
The lattice solution you've heard violates two of your requirements: it won't be easy to remove (what are you going to do with all that wood when you leave?) and it's very expensive! You'd also need your landlord's permission to build it, and you've have to meet building codes - which means hurricane resistance in Dade County, which means $$!
A better solution is a retractable awning like the ones at www.sunsetter.com. You won't be able to cover the entire patio with one awning, but you can install more than one - and they're much less expensive than a wood pergola/lattice structure.
More importantly, a rectractable awning does the job of making shade very well and can be retracted when the weather requires it.
Finally, it's easily installed and removed...should be easy to convince your landlord to allow it. AND NO "CARPENTRY" INVOLVED!
Hope this helps,
Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com
