A pergola is more expensive and would put more weight onto our deck supports and frame. You should ensure all fixing points are structurally sound and if unsure, obtain independent advice from a builder or engineer. These accessories are readily available from your normal hardware supplier. I believe it is a 2x4if I can, should I add a piece if 1x2 or 1x4 to the backside for additional support?

Example (using our post distance of 17x17x22.5): The best color shade sail will be based on personal preference. Connect fixing accessories to mounting points as required. Some of these mounting points may already exist -- for example, a pergola, large tree or branch (minimum 10in diameter), fence post, soffit, fascia or wall. Your local timber supplier or pipe fabricatore can assist you in your sizing. No. When you mount the brackets to the post, you will want to ensure that it will be an adequate support. Weve created a step-by-step guide for each material below. 901-531-8145 - Fax. Sails should be separated by about 18when layered to avoid chafe, Do not leave sails up in snow prone locations during winter months and unless your installation has been engineered for permanent use they should be taken down. Hope that helps! Lets discuss how to complete each process. Thank you for your time! considered a return of a non-defective item as detailed in our "Legal / Return Policies" link in footer below. They block sunlight and UV rays creating shade.

Its normally better to install the bracket to the wall just below the roof instead of on top even though the latter can provide a higher clearance. Ive included a link to our favorite metal sail shade support bracket. For example, if your post height is to be 10 feet, you would use a 15 foot long post with a footing depth of 5 feet in the ground. Setting mounting points 3ft or more change in height makes for a visually stunning look. Yes, weve seen sail shades successfully attached to both metal and wood fences, but only to the posts. Mix concrete in line with manufacturers instructions. Learn how to install a shade sail. Do not have fire or an open flame close to the fabric. Shade sails can be mounted to the exterior of a home, but it is dependent on the material and structure. Overall, there are just better options. 901-751-8809 - Direct Once the locations are defined, attach the round clamps to the steel posts at those points. Take into account the following: Note: Shade sails should not be used near an open flame. This simple trick will help you "hang" and center the sail quickly, taking some weight off the sail while you attach the turnbuckles, carabiners, rope, or chain. Strength of existing structures intended to be anchor points; Location of barbecue grills, fire pits, and other high heat sources; Wind speeds typical and maximum expected for your area. Rotate them around to get ideas for the lay-out. Exposure to certain chemicals e.g, Chlorine can lead to the premature breakdown of the fabric. document.write((new Date()).getFullYear()); We've also prepared a 10min video that takes you through how to install your shade sail. However, if we wanted it to be a focal point we could choose something like a clay red shade. We chose to go buy an extra turnbuckle for the 3rd corner. Care of the sails: Sails can be hosed in place or taken down and gently scrubbed

Find specific instructions on how to install the Coolaroo 3.6 x 3.6 Triangle Sail Shade here. Ensure the concrete surface is sloping away from the posts to assist water drainage. Inspect regularly. If youd like to end your sail shade, we prefer a support pole buried in front of the wall, and adequately secured with concrete. We recommend a 4 x 4 wood beam or a steel or aluminum metal pole designed specifically for this purpose. We found most of the damage comes from fraying around the connection points. It is best to make the structural elements foot print 18larger than the sails dimension so that variations in the sails size is not a problem and there is enough space to add rope, links of chain, turnbuckle, shackles etc. As a result, you will only have shade directly under the shade sail at midday during mid-summer. Re-tension periodically if required. Dividing walls are very common in homes in the Southwest United States. Measure out centres of footing positions and mark as illustrated. Lay a 4 inch (100mm) depth of 3/4 inch diameter gravel at the base of the hole. The snow was heavy and did bend one of our 4x4 posts slightly. The diameter of the tree where the sail will be fixed must be at least 250mm(9.75). |, I am not aware of any state that requires a builder permit for a sail shade. The beauty of this approach is that the pole is heavy meaning that it wont move, but it can also be tilted on its side and rolled to a new location. A properly installed sail shade is very easy to setup. ; we can not guarantee that these images There could also be other factors specific to your situation which require consideration. (usually 2 per triangle or quadrilateral) The attachment points should be installed first. Some of these fixing points could already exist e.g. Pour concrete to the top of the holes ensuring it is packed well. For an exact measurement, string twine from point to point. Location of barbecues or Sun direction etc. The method and steps will depend on the building material used for the walls. We werent looking to add contrast, so a muted tone made sense for our deck. This summer, weve got two goals for our deck: (1) []. BackyardCity.com rope or chain the Shade Sail will move excessively in a wind and the resulting shock loads may significantly reduce the life of the sail.. Long leaders on multiple corners will void any warranty. We have a large patio umbrella, but it only covers a small portion of our deck with shade. Formerly in Huntington Beach, Whittier & Idyllwild, CA - Now located in Texas, Use Chain, Rope, or Cable for rough adjustment (pretty tight), Use Turnbuckle or Rope to add tension(Very tight!). Most installations have the 1st corner is directly connected to the anchor point. This may differ by shade sail, so make sure to confirm this distance before purchasing. On each side of the sail, you should allow a space between the corner of the shade sail and the anchor point that allows for fabric stretch plus the tensioning hardware. There are carabiners for the other corner(s). Also, we recommend removing the sail shade before any heavy wind. For more information about shade sails check out our articles on choosing the right shade sail andDIY shade fabric installation. Do not leave sails up in snow prone locations during winter months and unless your installation has been engineered for permanent use they should be taken down Use of a rope and a friend, or a 1 inch webbing (Rachet Strap) with a winch, bring the last corner of sail as close to its attachment point as possible and put the last attachment hardware in place. Stop tensioning when the shade sail shows no sag in the middle and has few or no wrinkles/creases. deck, exterior, fence), install wood or metal posts.

Chemicals to be used on or around the fabric should be referred to Coolaroo prior to their use. This striped blue and white would be perfect for a coastal home. Temporarily brace the posts. Your supplier will be able to give you any special advice you may require for your own conditions. The above is intended as a guide only and not the actual instructions for installing your shade sail. Often a pad-eye can be lag bolted to headers that are above windows and doors or to the top plate at the top of the wall. Our posts are part of our deck's structure and are attached to the concrete that makes up the patio below. Three dimensional membranes move less, sag less and look better!!! Chain, wire, or thick, strong non-stretching rope can be used to extend your shade sail corner to a fixing point several inches or many feet away if needed. Each section will have all the tips and tricks for each surface. Installing your new Coolaroo outdoor fabric is as easy as following these 8 simple steps. Other materials like Sunbrella should be taken down and softly scrubbed with a sponge or soft brush using a solution of mild detergent and water. On a 4 sided sail, put the tensioners opposite each other on a diagonal. Lay your shade sail out and commence the installation. We spent researched more than 100 sail shades, and we ultimately came up with our top 4 picks. Skip to Navigation or Skip to Main Content. That is a great question. Most sun sails made of HDPE material (like Commercial 95, Coolaroo, Shade Logic or PolyFab materials) can be routinely cleaned with a hose spray on Jet setting. No. (see diagram) Pour the concrete footing and temporarily brace the posts until the concrete has set. Hardwood of durability Class 1 can also be used. Now look at sail to see if there are any wrinkles. Prior to installation, check with local authorities for any relevant building codes or permits that may be required, especially if you live in a neighborhood with a Home Owners Association, or you are planning to install them in a public / commercial environment like a park, recreational play area, Daycare or the like. If the posts are 8 feet, the sail will be closer to 7.5 feet in the center. Weve seen a lot of people use an old tire thats been filled with sand or concrete. Pour concrete to the top of the holes ensuring it is packed well. Most sail shades designed for single family homes dont have any issues. Use of any photographs or text from this web site without our expressed permission is prohibited. four5/16 Lag Bolts, 6 Eye Boltfor attaching to 4, schedule 40, galvanized pipe (find a pipe / steel supplier in your phone book), 5/16Turnbucklefor tensioning, use one or two for triangles, two for squares. If the mounting structure does not already exist (i.e. Can you attach a sail shade to a concrete wall? Chlorine, can lead to the premature breakdown of the fabric. Once you have identified the location for your shade sail, it is important to determine the most suitable mounting points for the corners. Second, this trim company discusses fascia board strength (supports gutters filled with water, snow, etc. 5. Yes, this is one of the best surfaces. Use of one or more turnbuckles, depending the sail shape, to add/adjust tension to minimize wrinkles. Re-tension periodically when required. The shade shadow of the sail will, of course, move as the sun moves. Before you commence installation it is very important that you consider the most suitable location for your shade sail(s) taking into account the following: This short video provides a simple overview to installing a triangle and square Coolaroo Shade Sail. Collierville, TN 38017 You should ensure all fixing points are structurally sound, and, if you are unsure, obtain independent advice from a builder or engineer. All Rights Reserved. The fabric will last between 3 and 10 years depending on the quality. represent the actual colors of the product. However, due to all the possible variants, including but not limited to: Remember, there can be substantial wind loads. Q: Can I mount a Shade Sail to the exterior of a home? These walls are mainly used for privacy and aesthetic rather than support so we highly recommend *NOT* anchoring a sail shade to a dividing wall. If a standard patio umbrella isnt cutting it, upgrade to a shade sail (also called a sun shade). Nothing causes faster wear and tear than loose sails moving and banging in the wind.

Check again to ensure all mounting points are solid. Selecting the position: Before you commence installation it is very important that you consider the most suitable location for your shade sail(s) taking into account the following: Size of the shade sail(s). The following information is meant as a guideline and not intended to replace the services of a structural or civil engineer. Shade Sails does not and cannot know the specific intentions of purchaser stress factors, variables for the area such as soil, wind condition and exposure, existing structure strength, local access codes, etc. If you just put screws into the mortar, it will eventually crumble around the entrance hole and just pull out. Use a pencil to mark all of the mounting locations. |, Yes, shade sails are safe for backyards and other grassy areas.

Therefore, install your posts with eye-nuts, and to the house, tree or whatever you have chosen to support them, add eye bolts, pad-eyes or straps. |On the few occasions that weve heard about this from the readers, the restrictions were around the size. Also, it is often possible to connect to remote structures with wire cable spanning the distance. If we had not been rebuilding the deck, we could have attached wood posts to the outside of the deck frame. Exposure to certain chemicals, e.g. First, determine which direction rain should run off the shade sail. Watch out for tree branches that may also chafe the sails. Hope that info helps you decide what to do! Do not use your barbecue under the shade structure. Remember the sails do not have straight lines at the edges; they are constructed with a gentle curve that deflects about 10% over the length of each edge. There's no denying that plants love the sun. Youll also need to account for at least 8-12 allowance between the mounting point and the sail. There could also be other factors, specific to your situation, which require consideration. You dont even have to stick to solids, there are prints, too! And, finally, like the wood hardware kit, you will still need the turnbuckles and carabiners. We are reader-supported. How do you secure a shade sail without a rafter in your fascia? There is an extensive range of fixing accessories available to help you secure your shade sails. When selecting the position for your shade sail, ensure all fixing points are structurally sound and fixings are tightly secured. For Custom Sail quotes please click here. Prior to installation, check with local authorities for any relevant building regulations which may exist. Steel posts are also suitable and are available from either your normal hardware outlet/home centre or your local steel supplier. Usually you need to get the sail roughly taut using chain, rope, or cable.. Additionally, it can increase the work if someone needs to replace or fix your roof in the future. If you are using wood posts, purchase a steel hardware kit like this (make sure to select either triangle or square/rectangle, depending on your shade sail). Therefore, it may seem the obvious choice would a square shade sail. Now, attach the sail in the highest one (if triangle) or two (if square/rectangle) corners with carabiners. Depending on the post size, you will need round connector clamps like this to attach the sails. Temporarily affix the fabric to the brackets, and use this as a reference to identify exactly where any additional supports will be. Youve now installed your sail shade. Post lengths should be calculated taking into account the proposed height of your sail plus the depth of your footings. Use Stainless Chain and Shackles for easy rough adjustment. (Click Here for information on Posts) Posts can be powder coated or painted to help protect them and provide the desired color. If the posts are tall or more than one sail is attached then larger posts are usually called for. Steel pipe is usually found at a steel supply or pipe supply vendor. How to Make an Easy DIY Macrame Plant Hanger for Outdoors Craftivity Designs, Great tutorial! Since the hardware is slightly lower than the top of the post and the sail dips slightly in the center, the true sail height is 4-6 below the post height. Click here to read more about the benefits of outdoor shade for your living space! If additional posts are required, we recommend the use of a minimum of 4 inch, schedule 40 steel pipe or a minimum of 6x6 inch wood treated for outdoors. I'm not an expert on building materials, so I've got a few resources for you. If this what you have, wed suggest buying a turnbuckle for each attachment. They must have at least four corners and the more height variation the better!! Posts sizes are determinied by the size of the sail or sails attached to it, what sides they are attached and the height they are attached. Do NOT overtighten or the shade's fabric may weaken quicker. Do not add more than 24 on more than one corner..(One corner per sail may be extended up to 30 but only a single corner) If you extend 2 or more corners with cable, rope or chain the membrane will move excessively in a wind and the resulting shock loads may significantly reduce the life of the sail.. Long leaders on multiple corners will void any warranty. This makes it both: Disclosure: This page includes affiliate links.

Use of 4x4s or 4x6s, L-Brackets, long screws, or Simpson strong ties/hurricane hangers can be used in some combination to do this. After the card, review the FAQs and tips and tricks for additional info. See Hardware Page for more. Attach using four5/16 Lag Bolts. Tighten the turnbuckles until each side is taut. Scavenger Hunt Idea.com, Round Clamp with D-Ring Connectors (for steel posts), Click to read the full Disclosure Statement. Make sure to pull evenly out from all corners. Even if you dont yet have the mounts installed, youll need to know where the mounts will be located. This is our favorite support sail shade pole. Because these are so popular among first-time homeowners, we receive a lot of questions about how and where they can be attached. D shackles(s) Mark the endpoints in the twine. Our deck gets hours of hot sun in the afternoons. Important Note: These sets only come with 2 turnbuckles. Some of the cheaper brands of sail shades dont have these and simply attach directly to the hook. This gives a lot of adjustability and is very strong and inexpensive. With sails larger than 150 sqft, you should make sure the rafters have been secured with screws, and not just nails to the tops of the walls. It will also work to naturally keep the pool cooler on warm days as the water temperature will even out due to Newtons second law of thermodynamics. Originally, we planned to add another umbrella. Wood posts are the most affordable method for mounting shade sails.

Images Disclaimer: We have made a concerted The issue is that this can lead to leaks and weakens the overall roofing structure. Another option is to install an awning. This will depend on your climate, of course, in terms of whether you get snow/ice and whether you get a lot of wind.

with a mild detergent. Instead of using metal brackets and screws that accompany most kits, we prefer a strong rope or steel cable to be wrapped around the tree and hooked to the shade clip. DISCLAIMER (Read carefully) The following installation suggestions and helpful hints for shade sails are offered as a courtesy to mail order purchasers and to facilitate accurate ordering of the product. Per square foot of sail). Yes, brick walls make a great anchor point for sail shades and awnings, but you will want to mount the bracket to the mortar between the bricks. Patio stones can be substituted in place of the poured concrete. Lets discuss selecting the shape, size, and color for a shade sail. The last corner of any sail will be the challenge. Brace if required.

1/4 (or 1/8) inch = 1 foot. 5/16D Shacklefor corners that do not have a turnbuckle. For a more high tech look you can use stainless steel D shackles and turnbuckles or even chain.

This means they will stay in place longer. If timber posts are used, then generally use temporary power poles with a preservative added to the wood. Attaching to Fascia is generally a bad idea unless the fascia can be reinforced or tied in adequately to the rafters. Not to mention, the umbrella bases take up valuable floor space. Can you attach a sail shade to a dividing wall? Instead of writing a lot of small articles, Ive created a long exhaustive guide to attaching sail shades. Therefore, since we live in an area that gets snow and ice, we remove the shade during the winter. If additional posts are required, the use of treated softwood (H5 level treatment) is recommended. Many areas of the country, like Florida and California, have specific code for shade sails. This will give you a visual for the height of the sail. You will want to use screws specifically designed for concrete that include countersinks for the screws. Do not use your barbecue under the shade structure. & 800mm (32) deep.). Then cut out scale drawings of the ready-made shade sails. Once measured, buy a shade sail that is smaller than the overall dimensions. This isn't necessary, but we felt it gave us more precise control to tighten the sail. For our home, we choose a light gray-brown similar to our shake siding. If you intend to fix your shade sail to a fascia the use of a Fascia Support is strongly recommended. To span the distance between the corner of the shade sail and the attachment point use any of these options: 5 common methods for attaching sails to fixing points: When selecting the position for your shade sail, ensure all fixing points are structurally sound and fixings are tightly secured. |, With galvanized poles set in concrete, the shade can withstand 60mph+ wind.|. We recommend *ALWAYS* contacting your homeowner association before making a change to the outside of the house. Your shade sail(s) may be cleaned at any time using a solution of mild detergent and water. Cheaper poles can bend or break in wind and lead to car damage. Even the tiniest of changes can require approval, and its always best to have written signoff before the work is started.|, Sail shades are large fabric (vinyl, acrylic or canvas) shapes that attach to a home. Lay a 4 inch (100mm) depth of 3/4 inch diameter gravel at the base of the post. Next, pour a 4 inch (100mrn) depth of concrete to provide a solid pad. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prior to installing, consult your local council regarding building regulations which may apply in your area. Yes, the majority of residential sail shades are attached to the side of a home. In order to select a shade sail, youll need to choose a shape in the correct size and in a color complementary to your homes exterior.

There are several ways to do this: We used measuring tape initially, then used twine for a visual and to confirm our plans before purchasing the shade sail. This isnt necessary, but we felt it gave us more precise control to tighten the sail. The following is offered only as a highly generalized summary of installation methods used successfully by Shade Sails in the past. Craftivity Designs, [] summer we replaced our decaying deck, installed a shade sail, and attached tiki torches to the railing. Check with your local building Dept. To determine the correct shade sail size, you must first determine where it will be mounted. Therefore, if the posts are 8.5 to 9 feet tall, the sail will actually be over 8 ft in the center. How much wind can a shade sail withstand?

The breakdown is $70 for the shade/accessories, and $150 for each support pole you need. Shade sails can be mounted to several materials: If you choose to mount it to the exterior of your home, be sure to mount it to a strong location (such as concrete, brick, etc.). From this point, the installation is identical to steps 6-10, above. Materials such as brick, concrete, and cement blocks are suitable for mounting shade sails. Stock Size SailConnection Details As an additional note, with a shade sail you are likely concerned about two things: wind and snow/ice. Dig holes 400 mm (16) sq. Connect fixing accessories to mounting points as required. CAUTION: Do not over tension. However, we wanted to leave the portion of the deck nearest the house uncovered. We recommend a high quality installation kit which can be another $14 if its not included. Footing depth should be 1/2 the length of the exposed pole. If youd like more guides or have questions, wed love to hear from you. What is your pick for the best sail shade? The final two recommendations are all around shades that with many options for shapes, sizes and colors. Shade Sails makes no extension of warranty by these general guidelines and disclaims any responsibility for the installation, design of installation, engineering requirements, code compliance or any other installation related matter. Or,use low stretch Dacron rope to add tension. |, A heavy duty sail shade car port will be around $370 if its attached to the house and $670 if not. Post lengths should be taken into account the proposed height of your sail plus the depth of your footings. When planning for a sun shade, use twine or string to measure for the sail. There are some important factors you need to consider before you get started. Why? Stop tensioning when the shade sail is rigid with little or no creases. Attach mounting brackets to your home and verify they are straight with a level. They would be the best fit for someone who has a very specific vision or need in mind. Attach using The best overall winner is perfect for the homeowner who wants to add shade to his backyard or patio without a lot of hard work or cost. I'd recommend checking out these two documents/sites, which might help: https://www.cool-off.com/media/wysiwyg/cooloff/pdf/Shade_Sail_Instructions.pdf & https://shadematters.com.au/blogs/news/shade-sails-brisbane-installation-tips . lag bolts partially driven into the post to hold it in place. Add rope if or chain if additional length is needed. Mix concrete in line with the pakage instructions.

The Fascia support is used to connect the overhangs of rafters or trusses to fascias ledgers giving a strong connection between the two and improved strength. DO NOT put the fabric in your washing machine, clothes drier, or scrub it with a stiff brush, scouring pad, or an abrasive cleaner. I am unable to put in new posts, but would like to know if I can attach a sail shade to the fascia board on my home? There is an extensive range of fixing accessories available to help you secure your shade sail(s). Can you attach a sail shade to a cinder block or brick wall? These will be labelled clearly on the packet. Once marked, drill pilot holes into the wood posts. A: It depends. Use string lines to ensure they are in plumb alignment. The direct sunlight the grass receives will drop, as the sun moves from east to west different parts of the yard will be blocked. This is a great method of pulling down a gutter or damaging your home. Next, attach the sail at the other two points, with turnbuckles. Insert the posts and, with string lines, ensure they are in plumb alignment. Yes, we have seen sail shades attached to large trees. Lora is the Owner and Creative Director of Craftivity Designs, where she seeks to Create a Home that is simple, functional, and beautiful. Wrinkles usually occur between two corners where they are tighter than the other corners. What do I mean by that? By varying the heights (2 lows opposite each other on a diagonal and 2 highs opposite Using the selected fixing accessories, commence connecting the corners of the shade sail to the fixing points. The shade sail has been blown strongly, but it has not torn or caused any damage to our 4x4 wood posts. This stage of the installation is critical. Allow poles to set in concrete for a minimum of 48 hours.

This isnt necessary, but we felt it gave us more precise control to tighten the sail. Attach the mounting hardware to the posts with a screwdriver. Therefore, we did not dig into the ground for our wood posts. 2. stainless cable Shade Sails offers these services on an individual contract basis and purchaser has elected to purchase the ready-made sail only as a more economical alternative. when windy conditions exist. |, We recommend the hole being 32 deep with concrete at the bottom.|, All sail shades will block rain. Vinyl, acrylic and coated canvas shades are waterproof, but untreated canvas is simply water resistant. No. Brace if required. Chemicals to be used on or around the fabric should be referred to BackyardCity.com prior to their use.Do not have fire or an open flame close to the fabric. deck or fence), using sturdy hardware, such as lag bolts, to attach the posts. These will be labeled clearly on the packet. The only required tools would be a drill, and you dont even need a ladder. Steel posts can be cut to predetermined lengths and painted to a colour matching your shade sail and the environment. The fascia support is used to connect the overhangs of rafters or trusses to fascias ledgers giving a stronger connection between the two.