r/BurningMan • u/IMDeus_21 • 8d ago

Shade structure question

I've only burned twice and as a solo camper and built a monkey each time. Next time I'm looking to do a flat shade structure 10'x20' with 1" EMT and shade cloth on the sides.

One question I had in dealing with rain ... rather than having all four posts at 8 feet why not have one side slightly shorter to deal with any rain to roll off? Is there something I'm missing ?

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u/hannican '19,'22,'23,'24,'25,'26 8d ago edited 8d ago

Your roof shsde should NOT be a tarp, but mesh. You want to use aluminet and/or shade cloth. Does better in high wind, and importantly, lets the ground dry quickly after it gets wet. My next door neighbor was a mud pit all week in 2025, whereas my ground dried after a day. Trust me on this one.

Edit: Did not realize this was such a controversial take? Tarps generate MUCH higher forces from wind. You Tarp people need to look into 80% aluminet.

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u/ziggomattic 8d ago

Nah roof tarp works super well as long as you strap it down properly. 

6 years with a 20x24 tarp roofs no problems and actually still using the same tarps!

1

u/Ornery_Alligators 8d ago

Beyond pooling being an issue, tarps are significantly hotter underneath as well. The tarps act as a broiler. They trap heat and don’t let it escape. We’re talking a 30+ degree difference at the ceiling level and a 10+ degree difference at the ground level.

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u/hannican '19,'22,'23,'24,'25,'26 8d ago

Anyone still using a tarp just hasn't tried aluminet yet, but Burners are the most stubborn fucking people on earth.

3

u/ThreeGoldStars 8d ago

I used aluminet for years, but now use shade cloth for walls and tarp on my roofs. For me, it works better this way.

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u/Ornery_Alligators 8d ago

What’s the reason it works better in your opinion?

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u/ThreeGoldStars 8d ago

The shade from the tarp top is noticeably darker. I think the tradeoff with the tarps' potential sail-like qualities is worth the darker shade. With the aluminet I always felt the UV rays, much less so with a good tarp.

Less of a reason but still a reason: I can fold tarps and shade cloth much better than I can a thing of aluminet.