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Creative Shade Structures for Commercial * Industrial * Institutional * Residential Use
Tips for Locating, Measuring and Installing Shade Sails
Whether you are going to buy Ready Made Shade Sails, or order custom sizes, there are a few things to consider when locating your anchor points, deciding on what size Sail you need and the coverage it will provide.
- When considering where to install your Shade Sail, think of the position of the sun at the times you are most likely to be outside. This will provide the best coverage since the sun moves throughout the day. If you are out in the mornings for instance, position the Shade Sail to benefit for sail coverage in relation to the sun at that time of day. Also, slope the Shade Sails to further improve the UV coverage.
- Shade Sails, whether 3, 4 or more sides, all have a "catenery curve" from point to point. They are not straight and this is necessary to effect a good outcome when applying tension to the sail after it is installed. Not only the size of the Sail, but also the tabs and fittings required to connect to an anchor point will determine the location of your anchor points. You need to add a minimum of 10% more than the size of the Shade Sail so you will have the required room to apply all the hardware for mounting the Sail plus the space for adjusting the tension to the Sail.
Anchor Points can be a steel or wood post, or can be an existing structure such as an overhang or house wall. Always ensure the soundness of any structure you use as an anchor point making sure it will be able to support the tensioned Sail.
Check with your local Utility companies for any cables or pipes in case you have to dig to install poles.
- The drawing to the left illustrates the difference in the size of a Shade Sail before it is installed and has tension applied to it. The area in grey represents the size of the Sail after being installed and correctly tensioned. This drawing is not to scale and is just a representation of these differences.
- The yellow area is that between the straight measurement from anchor point to anchor point between the curvature of the Shade Sail. This area does not provide any UV protection since it is not covered. It is important to consider this area when deciding on the shape and size of Sail you would like to install.
