JR> (...)  An awning would be great, but the house is on a windy site
JR> and I have had roof damage from high winds and probabaly wouldn't be
JR> able to use the awning like you would expect. (...)
    Perhaps rather than an awning, a pergola would be a good solution.  It's 
an open, trellis like structure made generally of larger beams.  Because 
there are no large surface areas for the wind to take hold of or exert force 
upon, it would withstand the majority of any wind forces.  You could then 
encourage some type of vine to overgrow it.  This would have the effect of 
providing shade yet allowing filtered sunlight through.  
    In light of your mentioning that you don't want to lose the benefit of 
heat gain during the winter, this would also prove a viable solution because 
a perenial type of vine would die back during winter allowing a greater 
amount of sunlight through.
    The bamboo screen you mention may seem like a good temporary and 
inexpensive solution, but I get the feeling the high winds you mention may 
have the same detrimental effect on that and the cost of replacing it could 
mount over time.
        Byrd Mann
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