Constructing a Windbreak (ie. NFH screen..)

[FlamingKaty]

Hello everyone!

Well known for my lateral thinking and strange brainwaves :rolleyes:, I have had an idea to erect a windbreak in winter to block my NFH when the trees lose their leaves. Is there anyone on here with some building/DIY (structural engineering!) knowledge could tell me if they think this will work?

It has to be 'temporary' and can't be attached to the fence-topped wall/concreted in etc. :rolleyes: so...

I thought of hammering 3/4 inch aluminium hollow poles into the soil so that at least a couple of feet was below soil level and a couple above. The windbreak would then be made by taking some windbreak/shade netting and making a channel down each side, stitching up the top. This would be slotted onto 1/2 inch reinforced steel rods (the sort builders use for concrete) which would then be dropped into the aluminium poles. Still with me :D??

The problem is I want to block out the NFH at first floor level so the 'windbreak' would need to be one and a half metres above the fence (wall and fence together are one metre high) ie. steel rods will be three and a half metres above soil level. I would make several so that none would be wider than two metres at most.

Does anyone think this would work or will the whole lot blow over taking my plants with it :eek:? The 'windbreak' fabric is a type of woven polypropaline (sp?) mesh so will allow some wind to pass through (it's actually really made for creating 90% shade and blocking the view ... :lol:). I could probably knock the aluminium poles in further and leave more above soil level for extra support if needed.

All thoughts gratefully received ;).

FlamingKaty

[Jaybird]

This sounds like a great scheme. But I am new on here - what is it you are trying to block? Sorry if it should be obvious ...............

[BarkingDogATLAS]

You're going to want to get some 1/2" rebar which you can pound into the ground pretty deep. The portion which sticks above the ground will support your posts. PVC pipe would be good to use because it is light and flexible, too. Just slip it on over the rebar and attach your shade.

There are specific rebar-pulling tools for taking the rebar out of the ground. Depending on how hard the ground is you might need something to help you get out the rebar. Or just leave it there forever. It's not safe if it's not covered, so you need to do something about making a cover.

Depending where the tree is, you might be able to tie part of the wind break to a branch to keep it from sagging.

[FlamingKaty]

Thanks BDA I never thought about PVC pipe but but what is rebar???

Jaybird - trying to block first floor fire escape-cum-all weather viewing platform...

FlamingKaty

[BarkingDogATLAS]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=what+is+rebar

[Tass]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=what+is+rebar
That's a niffty little link, never had one that does that before ;)

[FlamingKaty]

Yes, very nifty! Looks like rebar is the proper name for them rods I mentioned!

Actually BDA your idea's great as the pipe would make the whole thing much lighter. I am, however very fond of my lovely garden, even in winter, so would have to find some in dark green/black/brown as looking at the flippin' windbreak will be bad enough!

You're right 'though, the rebar would have to be covered or it could take someone's eye out. I know the aluminium rods are fairly easy to get out of the ground, even when in quite deep. Perhaps I could try your idea in the section of border where the windbreak will be close to the wall/fence and mine where it will be several feet away and running through the middle of a border full of plants...

Either way, I'm still thinking a couple of feet below and a couple of feet above the ground may not be sufficient. Wish I'd listened in physics....

Cheers

FlamingKaty