3 Common Mistakes to Avoid During Shade Sail Installation
Posted on: 24 April 2019
Although there is nothing -- not even your air conditioning system -- that comes close to the cool breeze that blows across your patio during those summer afternoons, you still need a shade. It is for this reason that shade sails have become the go-to material for providing shade to an outdoor setting. However, just because you have installed shade sails on your patio doesn't necessarily mean that you will get what you need from it. It is because most people make mistakes during the installation phase and end up getting frustrated once the shade sail fails. This article, therefore, looks at the various errors that homeowners make when installing shade sails.
1. Wrong Shade Position -- Where do you want your shade? It is the first question you should ask yourself when installing shade sails. Most people fail at this and are oblivious to the fact that the different positions of the sun affect the position of shaded areas throughout the day. For instance, if the shade is on the left side of the patio in the morning, it will change the location in the afternoon and the evening. Therefore, it is essential first to decide where you want the shade sail to cast shade for your specific needs. It will guide you during the installation phase because you will know where to install the shade sails and the correct pitch.
2. Overstretching Shade Sails -- Shade sails have to be stretched and anchored to serve their purpose. It ensures that the shade sail is adequately taut, smooth and free of wrinkles. However, how tight the shade sail should be is an issue that most people do not understand and end up overstretching the material. Such action will lead to faster wear and tear of the fabric consequently reducing the longevity of the shade sail. Therefore, ensure that you stretch the fabric just enough to maintain the shade sails form without affecting the fabric's structural integrity. For best results, it is recommended that you keep the tension at not more than 100lbs.
3. Not Changing Shade Sail Pitch -- Changes in weather condition require different shade sail installation strategies. For instance, in the summer, you are allowed to install your shade sails parallel to the ground. However, you should change the shade sail's pitch from a zero gradient to an angled pitch. It helps prevent the accumulation of snow on top of the shade sail thereby weighing it down and consequently damaging the fabric. Similarly, your shade sail's pitch should change during windy conditions to allow for smooth flow of wind over and under the fabric without damaging it. Therefore, it is crucial to change the pitch of your shade sails according to prevailing weather conditions.
For more information on coastal shade sails, contact your local contractors.
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