FAQs
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How to plan for your Shade Sail
Proper planning ensures your shade sail provides optimal coverage and remains secure over time.
- Consider Sun Direction & Shade Coverage
- Position your sail to provide maximum shade where needed.
- Keep in mind that the sun moves throughout the day and across seasons.
- Choose the Right Fixing Points
- Fixing points can be steel posts (embedded in concrete footings) or brackets (attached to structurally sound buildings).
- Ensure the structure is strong enough to withstand wind and weather forces.
- Ensure Height Variation for Stability & Aesthetics
- Avoid a completely flat shade sail—this leads to sagging.
- A twist or slope in the sail helps with tensioning, improves aesthetics, and prevents water pooling.
- The best setup typically involves two high and two low fixing points, placed diagonally opposite each other.
- To block the sun effectively, position a lower fixing point where the sun is strongest (West facing).
- Check for Underground Services & Regulations
- Before installing posts, check for underground utilities to avoid costly repairs.
- Consult local authorities regarding building regulations or permits required for shade sail installations.
How to install your Fixing Points
- Steel Posts & Footings
- Post size: Typically 90mm–150mm diameter (larger sails require thicker posts).
- Footing depth: One-third of the post should be underground in a concrete footing, with two-thirds above ground.
- Footing width: Generally a minimum of 450mm diameter, but may need to increase depending on sail size.
- Attaching to Existing Structures
- Ensure walls, beams, or fascia boards can handle the tension and wind loads.
- If unsure, consult an engineer or qualified builder.
How to Measure for Your Shade Sail
Accurate measurements are crucial for a perfect fit. Follow these steps:
- Measure from fixing point to fixing point (eyelet to eyelet).
- Measurements should be taken in a clockwise direction, based on viewing your area from above (as if looking down at your sail).
- For sails with more than three sides, provide diagonal measurements between all fixing points.
- Record the height at each fixing point
- Heights must be measured from an equal horizontal reference level (zero datum), not from ground level if the ground is sloping.
- This ensures all measurements are consistent relative to each other, preventing an uneven or poorly tensioned sail.
- Allow for fixing hardware:
- Direct Shade Sails will make necessary adjustments for turnbuckles.
- If making your own allowances, the shade sail should typically be 10% smaller than the fixing points.
What is the difference between Direct Shade Sails and store-bought shade sails?
Our shade sails are designed for long-term performance and custom fit, offering significant advantages over generic store-bought options:
- Stronger Reinforcement – We use 50mm seat belt webbing around the perimeter of our sails for added strength and durability.
- Commercial Grade Fabric – Made from 340gsm fabric, backed by a 10-year UV warranty from the manufacturer.
- Superior UV Protection – Blocks up to 95.5% of harmful UV rays.
- 22 Colour Options – A wide range of stylish, UV-stable colours to suit your outdoor space.
- High-Performance Thread – We stitch with Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thread for exceptional resistance to UV, chemicals, and harsh weather.
- Custom Made for You – Our sails can be manufactured to suit your individual space, unlike off-the-shelf sails which are limited to set sizes.
Choose Direct Shade Sails for a longer-lasting, better-fitting, and more durable solution.
How to Care for Your Shade Sail
Proper care will help extend the life of your shade sail and keep it looking its best.
Cleaning Your Shade Sail
- Use a mild detergent, low-pressure water hose, and a soft scrubbing brush.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners, stiff brushes, or chlorine-based products.
- Avoid any contact with harsh chemicals, as this can damage the fabric and is not covered by warranty.
Seasonal Care & Storage
- In cooler months, you may wish to take down your sail and store it.
- Always store in a protective bag or sealed container to keep out pests like mice or rats.
Installation & Maintenance Tips
- Ensure your shade sail is installed firm and tight to reduce wind flap and prevent wear.
- Check tension after the first week of installation—re-tightening may be necessary.
- Before a severe storm, take your shade sail down and store it safely.
- ⚠️ Do not attempt to remove the sail in strong winds to avoid injury.
Routine Inspections
- Regularly inspect your shade sail and all attachment points to ensure ongoing safety and performance.
How to install your shade sail
Follow these steps to correctly install and tension your shade sail.
- Identify Your Reference Points
- Your custom-made shade sail will arrive with two reference points marked.
- These correspond to the points referenced on your order form, helping you correctly align the sail.
- Check the Orientation
- Before attaching the sail, ensure the seat belt webbing faces down.
- Apply Anti-Seize to Turnbuckles
- Before connecting your turnbuckles, apply anti-seize compound to the threads.
- This prevents binding and ensures smooth adjustments over time.
- Attach the Shade Sail
- If you have a direct fix connection (e.g., shackles only, with no adjustment), these points must be attached first.
- Next, connect the turnbuckles to the remaining fixing points, ensuring they are fully extended (open).
- Tensioning the Shade Sail
- Gradually tighten each turnbuckle, working evenly around the sail to distribute tension.
- This helps prevent sagging and ensures a secure, well-fitted installation.
- Secure All Fittings
- Once fully tensioned, check that all fixings are properly secured, including:
- D-shackles – Ensure pins are tightly fastened.
- Turnbuckles – Tighten lock nuts to prevent loosening.
By following these steps, you’ll achieve a strong, well-tensioned shade sail that lasts.
Can the shade sails be made with straight edges?
By default, our shade sails are manufactured with curved edges, not straight edges—unless specifically requested as part of a custom sail order.
These inward curves are essential for proper tensioning of the sail. They help:
- Prevent sagging or fabric ruffling
- Maintain a clean, tight appearance
- Distribute tension evenly across the sail
How much curve is there?
The curve is approximately 7% of the side length (measured as a straight line between corner D-Rings).
For example: A 6m side would curve inward by about 420mm at the midpoint.
If you require straight edges, please contact us to discuss a custom-made panel.