Browse Forums Eco Living 1 Sep 23, 2012 1:49 pm The following is a bit of a continuation from my first post put into the general discussions section. We have just built a passive solar house - that's small & simple - designed by Solar Dwellings here in Perth. We are very happy with it & we have heaps to do still, hence the following questions. These are about protecting the north face. Curtains - we have large north facing windows & sliding door. A pelmet or false bulkhead has already been built in. Where can we go to get Eco-friendly curtains that will keep the sun out & that are not totally synthetic?? Also, how best to protect the external north face? We have looked at shade sails but these may hinder plant growth underneath (or so we have been told). We thought to build a pergola & grow deciduous vines over it. We would appreciate any ideas or suggestions. These are our current concerns, particularly as the weather is heating up. Other things we need to tackle are: - installing a rainwater tank - getting a veggie patch going - choosing water wise trees & shrubs - build decking - & other things I can't think of!! Thanks heaps in advance Sharon Thanks heaps in advance Re: Protecting our north face... 2Sep 23, 2012 2:08 pm Hi Sharon, and Welcome! Here's a thread you may enjoy participating in. . . viewtopic.php?f=31&t=55057&hilit=Summer+winter+warm+cool You could get a vergola or similar: http://Www.vergola.com.au Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Protecting our north face... 3Sep 24, 2012 12:28 am That's what I was thinking too a vergola/opening pergola type thing. I think you can even get them solar powered. I've seen solar passive houses with deciduous vines but it takes some time to achieve that. I don't know but I wonder if perhaps you could put shadecloth over the vine's supporting structure and remove sections of it as the vine itself grows to take over? I'm not sure I understand what you mean about "We have looked at shade sails but these may hinder plant growth underneath (or so we have been told)"? Do you have eaves? How much further do you want the shade to extend outwards from the house? There are plants that like part sun/part shade, I reckon you ought to be able to find plants that suit. About the curtains, even if you get cotton curtains I don't know if you can get non-synthetic blockout lining, we couldn't when we bought ours but that was a while back. Re: Protecting our north face... 4Sep 24, 2012 11:17 am If you are looking at protecting just the walls from harsh midday sun then a small awning extending out maybe a metre would probably suffice. If it is an outdoor patio or something then a vergola or sailcloth would be better. We have a large rear north facing timber deck and I added tall posts around the perimeter. Every spring I put up the shade sails to help with the summer sun and every autumn I take them down again to let the lovely winter sun in. None of the plants growing in pots underneath have been hindered in any way. Most curtains are more about keeping heat in during winter rather than heat out in summer. Shading those areas from the outside is much more effective. A fast growing deciduous plant like Wisteria grown over a trellis or pergola would be able to shade this area in about five years I reckon and use sail cloth over it in the meantime as others have said above. Stewie Hi i am looking to buy an investment near by North Rothbury. How is this area? is there schools inside this estate? please advice good builders around that area to buy… 0 1754 The warning is on the sticker on the door too. Second the aluminium powdercoat 6 12567 Hi, can anyone recommend a custom home builder who can build in north east area? Looking to build a custom 4-br energy-efficient home with a max budget of 750k. If they… 0 15717 |