Shade Sails should, of course, be installed where you need shade but several other factors should be considered:
- Shape of the shade sail - how many fixing points do you need?
- Can you install posts or would it be easier (and less expensive) to attach it to the house (or sometimes trees located near by) in a couple of corners.
- Slope required - if you select Sunbrella fabric you will need to install it with at least a 20 degree slope to allow water to run off.
- Does it snow where you live or do you experience winds in excess of 100 km (80 miles)/per hour. If so you will want to install it in a spot where it will be easy to take down in severe weather conditions.
- If you select Sunbrella fabric you should install it where there is enough room to use turnbuckles to tighten the sail after a rain - rain will cause Sunbrella fabric to stretch slightly so you will need to adjust for this occasionally.
- Path of the sun. remember that the sun travels through the sky from east to west during the day so the shade sail should be positioned in such a way to give you maximum sun protection. Sometimes it is wise to install 2 smaller shade sails sloped at different angles rather than one large one.
- Wind speed and direction is an important consideration as well.
- Important: DO NOT install your shade sail over your barbecue or use your barbecue underneath it.
Some interesting location options:
Notice that this shade sails is installed using turnbuckles and chain
to get the shade over the pool, where the user wanted it.
This Sunbrella shadesail is slanted to let the rain run off
and to allow sun in the garden but not over the sitting area.
This Commercial 95 shade sail was installed to give maximum
sun protection to a children's play area at a day care centre.
