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Why don't we use awnings anymore (2022)

(thecraftsmanblog.com)
413 points samclemens | 2 comments | 15 Oct 24 22:11 UTC | HN request time: 0.385s | source
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zdw ◴[16 Oct 24 00:40 UTC] No.41854554[source]▶
In hot areas, even the shade of rooftop solar panels can make a substantial difference inside a building. And there's the ultra low tech method of just planting more shade trees.

Unfortunately with most US build tract housing, there's not enough room between most houses to provide dedicated shade by most any method. I wonder if shade between the roof gaps between houses would be useful.

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scheme271 ◴[16 Oct 24 02:17 UTC] No.41855003[source]▶
Problem with shade trees is that trees have the unfortunately tendency to loose branches or fall during severe weather and having them next to your house isn't ideal when that happens. Also, depending on where you are located, those trees may end up being a great way of letting a wildfire spread to your home.
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1. Cthulhu_ ◴[16 Oct 24 08:08 UTC] No.41856716[source]▶
Even if the trees aren't shading the house directly, they will have a cumulative cooling effect; they capture the sun before it hits and warms up the ground, they have constant evaporative cooling, etc.
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2. ssl-3 ◴[16 Oct 24 16:43 UTC] No.41861137[source]▶
Shade trees can be pretty nice to have, especially when they are deciduous and automatically provide dense shade in the warm months and less shade in the cool months.

They can also destroy pavement, and foundations, and underground utilities.

They can be messy. Leaves fall and generally need dealt with somehow, and many kinds fruiting trees produce fruit that is big enough for a person to twist an ankle on just by walking through their own yard.

They can be expensive to maintain properly, and even when maintained properly they can drop heavy things that damage expensive things.

It isn't necessarily a straight forward comparison.

While I'm sure that well-placed trees can be a great benefit to the overall cost of owning and living in a dwelling, I'm also sure that they can be a great detriment.

If I had a choice, I think I'd rather have big solar panel arrays than big shade trees.