Viewing post #2732379 by Frillylily

plasko20 said: With such a big window facing the same way, covering the door with shade will not cool down your house in any meaningful way.

I would put the arch over the slimmest part of your pathway leaving a space between your door and the arch. Moving down then from 7ft wide to a more manageable width. If the archway is too short (bumping peoples heads), you can put planters there and put the archway in the planters to raise it up somewhat. Also makes it easier to grow climbers onto it. Although it may then need anchoring to the roof with slim cables to stop it blowing over.

Perhaps grow a dwarf maple tree to block the sunlight through that huge window. The pencil holly plant is doing nothing useful there in terms of cooling your home.

A few planters around might be nice, also.

Here is a little mock-up. Just for fun.

oh wow that is an awesome photo! Yes I know the holly is not cooling anything, I just put it there years back to add height cause the area needed some interest and it is ever green. I did not realize the heat would be so bad. The window is 9 ft long. When I open the front the door in the summer, I am shocked at how much heat is sandwiched there between the glass storm door and the main door. I had not thought of putting a tree there honestly, but even though the heat is an issue, we love the clear open view we have. So not sure what we will do there.

I had not thought of putting an arch over that more narrow area, I will have to toy with that idea!