0.93 oz/yd Membrane silpoly for shade

It really depends on the color.

I’ve used this in black and deep purple for bivy floors, and I have some in tan that I’ll eventually make a tarp out of.  The tan is much more transmissive. Lighter colors will definitely provide ‘some’ shade, but if you’re in direct sun, you’ll still see shadows cast by solid objects under the tarp.  With a light color, if it’s really roasting out, you’ll still feel the sun under it a bit. I don’t know how close to total shade their black gets.

RSBTR offers a $5 sample pack of four 6’x6′ pieces.  It would be pretty easy to set up a test jig on a sunny day with solid objects under the fabric to see how close different colors get to total shade.

Thank Rene,  I appreciate the input.

I’ve made two: khaki and dark olive. The Khaki doesn’t offer much shade and got very hot in sunlight. The dark olive does much better and I’m quite happy with it.

yeah – dark better

the fabric itself will get hot though.  Okay if it’s a shade cloth suspended above you.  If you made an enclosed tent it would become a heat box.

Thanks Hoosier / Jerry. I’m considering building a large square Tarp similar to the Kelty Noah 16 but lighter.  The primary use would be to provide shade to picnic tables / car camping but occasionally bring it along when backpacking with larger groups to provide temporary shelter (from rain or sun).  (I normally backpack solo or with my girlfriend).

I understand darker colors absorb more heat that lighter colors, but given the design of this tarp (The sewn ridgeline runs along the diagonal of the tarp and I understand it pitches best in the flying diamond configuration)…. it should allow for plenty of ventilation to cool down the fabric.

The cost of the Kelty Noahs is quite low, actually cheaper than just the materials for a DIY Tarp, but if I go with membrane I can cut the weight in half which would be important for my second intended use.

Again thanks for the feedback.