SHADE SAILS - FACTS, TIPS & DIY INSTALLATION GUIDES

There are very important considerations when you a planning to have a shade sail. Proper planning and thought will ensure that your sail structure performs, and stays true to form.

You will already have an area or position in mind that you wish to cover with shade. It may be a paved area, a courtyard, a deck, or pool. There may be places that you can use as fixing points for your sail in the area of existing structures e.g. double story brick house,  or you may need to install steel posts to create a totally free standing sail structure. Please consider the following factors:

• Movement of the sun
• Sail design - for a more effective look use more than one sail, with various corner heights and a variety of colours
• Sail Size and area to be covered
• Fixing to existing Structures
• Steel vs Timber
• Post footings
• Underground Services – pipes and there locations
• Local council

Once you have considered and resolved the issues above, it is time to prepare for your shade sail.

Many people choose to purchase their shade sails and stainless components up front and install their fixing points to accommodate the size of the sail already acquired.

This is a more complex way of going about the process, as quite often unforeseen problems arise during the excavation process for installing the posts.                                                                                                                         

E.g. you may not know the location of any underground services in your backyard and having dug 600mm deep on your last hole you locate a storm water pipe, and then need to move the positions of all your posts, as the sail requires a even diagonal tension .

That said, if you are confident that no such problems exist, then you can create a very cost effective shade sail environment with a DIY kit sail.

Essentially, the processes are quite similar to a custom made sail, however you will or may need to plan out the location of your fixing points relative to the sails size.  

For Example: a 5m x 5m sail represents the measurements from corner to corner, and NOT from post to post, you will need to install your posts in a larger dimension than the actual sail allowing for hardware and stretch of the sail.

Without over complicating the issue, and launching into a lesson in math’s and how to determine the length of the diagonal of a right angled triangle, we advise you to simply follow these tips and steps:

• Make sure the area is clear of any underground services
• Check with your local council as to relevant building regulations – recommended
• Remember that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. As the seasons progress, the sun also moves from low in the sky during the cooler months to higher in the sky during summer. Your structure should be planned to provide maximum shade and protection during the height of summer or summer solstice, as this is the crucial heat time.
• Simply layout the sail in the location and plot accordingly – allow approx a minimum 300mm DIAGONALLY from each corner for placement of your posts / fixings. It does not hurt to leave more space between the posts and sail, as this can be accommodated by a larger turnbuckle. However if the space is too small then inadequate tension will be placed on the sail, it will sag, have its quality compromised and certainly will not look as good as it should.
• Install your fixing points

Never underestimate the importance of being not too conservative with your footing dimensions a well installed shade sail will last many years, and become a cost effective means of shading any area. Caution is imperative when considering fixing structures, such as your house. In instances of poor weather and strong winds, the load placed on fixings by the sail is enormous, and should not be underestimated.                                  

To ensure that your existing structure is adequate to handle such loads, you may wish to consult with a local builder or engineer or speak with a shade professional.

We recommend that you use Steel Posts, and NOT timber posts, for your shade structure. Steel is stronger, will not overly deflect ( bend from the ground up ) and will not rot.

 Rust factors can be compensated by using galvanised steel.

Required footing sizes vary depending on the size of the structure and the height of the post out of the ground. An old conservative engineering principle is:

• ⅓ in and ⅔ out

Which means posts out of the ground by 2.4m need to be at least 1.2m into the ground.

This is conservative however we recommend you strongly consider this principle,  correcting a post that has been leant over in high winds due to an undersized footing is difficult, sometimes it is impossible.  Even a small movement of your footings will also compromise the ability to tension the sail, hence reducing the likelihood of maximum longevity.

If you are digging through landfill or raised garden beds, these depths should not be included in the overall depth of the footing. An ideal solution follows:

As a general rule, hole diameters should be around 350mm – Depth is most important.

It is advisable to lean posts back 5 degrees  (minimum 3 degrees) and to embed them in a concrete footing of 900mm to1800mm deep and 300mm to 500mm in diameter with one third of the poles total length in the ground.   

Concrete should be left to set for 24 hours before installing the sail.

Remember to allow approx 300mm DIAGONALLY from each corner for placement of your posts / fixings. It does not hurt to leave more space between the posts and sail, as this can be accommodated by larger turnbuckle. However if the space is too small then inadequate tension will be placed on the sail, it will sag, have its quality compromised and certainly will not look as good as it should.

Installing your shade sail:

In your shade DIY kit you will have the sail itself with 4 x D rings sewn into each point, wire rope, turnbuckle and D Shackles for each point of the sail.

Fix your turnbuckle to the relevant fixing point/ eyebolt on your post. At this stage leave the turnbuckle fully unwound, until all other points have been attached. Move from point to point until all points of the sail are fixed as required.

NOTE: In the manufacturing of the sail, we have allowed for the fact that the fabric will stretch. This means that considerable force will be needed to wrench up the last points to get them close to your fixing points.

Place the sail on the ground in the proposed position; provide enough room to add hardware, screw turnbuckles out to full extension.

To accurately fix hardware in the correct position, which is very important, use a string line the size of the sail and fit the hardware to each end of the string line and connect fittings to the posts, this will give you a better idea of the position and angles of the shade sail.

Multiple Sails should have a separation of 400mm to avoid chafing. Fixing to fascias is not recommended unless fascia can be reinforced or connected to the rafters. We can supply you with all the hardware you will need, custom made brackets, marine quality 316 stainless steel turnbuckle, shackles, pad eyes, eye bolts, eye nuts, snap hooks and chain for extensions to remote fixing points.

 It is advisable to have stainless steel wire rope run through the hem to ensure that there is even tension on the sail and most importantly this will provide added strength, wind resistance and stability this is included in our DIY Shade Sail packages with Hardware.

When all fixing points are fitted and concrete set, pre-tension sails evenly by tightening turnbuckles DO NOT OVER TENSION this will damage your sail. When the sail has settled in and the fabric has had time to stretch usually this takes around 7 days, a little more tensioning may be required.

We recommend that you consider creating a quasi-pulley effect to pull up the last points. This is done by tying rope onto your sail corner point, and looping it back and forth to the relevant fixing point.

 Continue this process until all fixing points are in place. Your turnbuckle should still be fully unwound.

Irrespective of whether your sail is triangular or square, always allow plenty of distance from your sail to the fixing point, and attempt to make the directional pull from the fixing point to the sail diagonal.

When you are happy with the positions of your fixings, install as required. You should only install your sail once all installed footings are fully set, in accordance with the steps mentioned above.

Congratulations – your shade sail is now complete and ready to enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: “The information in this guide is to assist in the successful planning and installation of the product. The manufacturer gives no guarantee or warranty with respect to the information contained in this guide. It is recommended that the product be installed by qualified and experienced trades people. The manufacturer will not be liable for any claim, damage or loss whatsoever arising out of the use of this guide”