How to install DIY shade sails in 4 easy steps

May 3rd, 2017 · Published to Shade Sails by Steve Lewis

Congratulations on purchasing Global Shade’s DIY shade sails! You’re now the proud owner of a super grade shade structure that’ll offer you many years of service.

I’m sure you’re raring to get your new DIY shade sail installed – after all, who wouldn’t? But before you jump into the installation, I’d like to point you in the right direction. You don’t want to go halfway through the installation only to realise you’ve missed something important, do you?

So, continue reading this post as I explain how to install our DIY shade sails in 4 easy steps. By following these steps in order, you will face no problems with your shade sail installation. Now, listen up!

1. Gather the required tools and materials

First of all, you’ll need to gather some tools and materials for your DIY project. The tools you’ll need include clamps, hammers, drill and screwdriver bits, hand saws, sockets, spades and forks, pencils and markers, electric drills, extension ladders, measuring tapes, rulers and squares and wheelbarrows.

You’ll also need materials including 2 x 4” support posts, 6” eye bolts for each attachment point, ¼ turn buckles, ¼ D-shackles, screws and concrete.

All these tools and materials can easily be found at hardware stores. So, rush to your nearest local hardware retailer and grab these items before starting off with your shade sail installation.

2. Prepare your shade sail

Once you’ve gathered all required tools and materials, you’ll need to prepare the shade sail. Lay out the shade sail, while keeping the fabric relaxed and place your hardware alongside it. This will help you visualise where and how you need to fix your support stands.

Remember to leave some space between each corner of the shade sail and the D-shackles where the corners will be attached. Next, mark all spots where the posts will be erected.

3. Position and setup the posts

This is the most important step in installing DIY shade sails. I recommend you to consider creating a 3-dimensional shade sail. 3-dimensional shade sails look great, sag less and are smoother than 2-dimensional shade sails. To achieve this, your support posts should be of unequal height. When positioning the posts, you can either have only one post higher than the other. Alternatively, you can keep the diagonals at the same height. Either way, you’ll create a 3-dimensional shade sail.

Before setting up the posts, I highly advise you to conduct a soil test first. This’ll let you know if the soil is firm and if it can support the weight of the entire structure.

To setup the posts, you’ll need to dig holes that are 80cm deep and 40cm x 40cm in diameter. You’ll also need to add anchoring points at the bottom of the posts. Put a thin layer of concrete into the holes and place the posts. Pour down more concrete into the holes to hold the posts in place. Make sure that the posts are very stable before you move on to the next step.

4. Connect the shade sail to attachment points

Once the posts are in place, you’ll need to drill in the eye bolts into the posts to create attachment points. Measure the height at which you want the attachment points and secure the eye bolts to it.

After the attachment points are in place, use a combination of D-shackles and turn buckles to attach the shade sail. Some people also make use of stainless steel chains or wire cables along with the turn buckles and D-shackles. You can do with or without them.

While attaching the shade sail, use a tensioning tool to pull the fabric tight and attach it to the posts. And that’s it! You have just installed your DIY shade sail which you can proudly show off to your neighbours and friends!

Conclusion:

Installing Global Shade’s DIY shade sails is incredibly easy and all you need to do is to follow four simple steps. First, gather all the tools and materials you need. Next, prepare your shade sail and lay it out. Following this, position and setup the posts. Finally, connect the shade sail to attachment points. That’s it – 4 simple steps and you’re done with installing DIY shade sails!

Also, if you haven’t yet purchased a DIY shade sail, consider our DIY shade sails at Global Shade. Our shade sails are an affordable shade solution that you can install with ease.

If you require any further assistance with your shade sail installation, please feel free to call us at 1800 724 407. Get in touch with us today!