Shade sails are growing in popularity in Australia as people realise the benefits they provide as permanent or semi-permanent structures. As many homeowners opt for shade sails to be installed on their property, we have as well noticed a lot of people making mistakes from their shade sail purchase including the installation itself.

As shade sail experts, we think it is important the public is aware of issues they may encounter with shade sails. This includes the mistakes we have seen people make. We also note some of the mistakes we have researched.

For you to avoid these mistakes altogether, check out the common shade sail mistakes we have found-:

Shade Sails Purchase Mistakes

Shade sails must withstand significant force. Think of a cheap umbrella in strong winds. The force of the wind can ruin an umbrella. A shade sail is “open” 24 hours a day.

Choosing the Cheapest Shade Sail Available

There is a large difference in the quality of materials used for shade sails. These differences are not always apparent in a hardware warehouse, especially with some packaging. Sometimes the displayed item looks like a shade sail. Often the look is deceiving.

With shade sails, like many purchases you only get what you pay for. If you choose to buy a cheap shade sail, expect compromises in quality. Has it low-quality material and may not last long? This means that you may need to replace your shade sails sooner rather than later often at a higher overall cost than buying well to begin with.

To avoid making this mistake, you must not settle for less in buying cheap shade sails from untrusted sources. You can check out Coastwide Shade Sails for high-quality shade sails you will surely enjoy for years.

Buying a Shade Sails DIY Kit Without Proper Knowledge

Some people choose to buy DIY shade sails and install themselves. DIY shade sails can suit people with good general handyman skills. The construction strength required to secure the sails demands good general trade knowledge.

Finding the ideal fixing points for the corners of the sail is important. You do risk the integrity of your building. Using the correct materials to handle the weather conditions is also necessary.

There are cases of people damaging their newly purchased shade sails and then opting for a professional to finish the job. The professional often identifies defects in the quality of the materials. There are many factors that you need to consider to successfully install a shade sail. You can check our guide in DIY shade sail installation to help you with your DIY journey.

Picking the Wrong Colour

The colour of the shade sail you are going to install on your property should match the colour of your entire house. It is too late to change the colour part way into construction. Again what looks good in a hardware store may not suit your home. Gold Coast Painter Blair Friend from CreationsInColour.com.au Painter and Decorators often recommends a neutral colour like black. Other options are colours that are complimentary to your house.

If you are not sure what colour is best to match your house’s colour, you can always ask a professional to help you mix and match colours and even shapes that will compliment your house’s entire look.

Shade Sail Design Mistakes

Now that you are fully aware of mistakes you should avoid when purchasing a shade sail, let’s discuss the design mistakes that we have noticed. When it comes to shade sail design, avoid the following mistakes-:

• Avoid long-skinny shapes shade sail design. If opting for a rectangular shade sail, it is best to keep the shorter sides half the length of the longer sides.
• If the space you want to cover has a rectangular or square shape, avoid using a triangular shade sail. This option can be a waste of money as it cannot accomplish its intended purpose properly.
• Choose a shade sail that is bigger than the space you need to cover. Most people who designed their shade sail thought that choosing a shade sail with the same size as the space they are covering is the correct approach. They weren’t aware that when you buy a shade sail the same size as space it will end up to being too small.
• Avoiding a flat sail design will prevent the sail from appearing sagged. Create a design with different heights from the various attachment points to avoid premature damage to your shade sails. The height difference of the shade sail attachment will manage wind better and avoid accumulation of rainwater.
• Overlap the shade sails properly by making sure that you give 3 feet clearance between the sails. This is good information to keep in mind especially if you are doing DIY installation.
  Opt for lifetime warranty thread constructed for shade sail usage. Regular thread as it will not last long when exposed to weather elements.

Installation Mistakes to Avoid

Now that we have established the things you need to avoid during designing the shade sails, it is now time for installation. Even during this stage, people continue to commit mistakes over and over again. To save you some headache, avoid the following when you install the shade sail on your property.

Using Weak Fixing Points

This mistake is very common among DIYers. They often underestimate the importance fixing points are, to make your shade sail look good and last long. If your shade sail is poorly mounted, sagging will occur and when your shade sails sag, it will catch rainwater and further damage the shade sail structure.

Ensure posts are strong and located correctly. To achieve this it is best to bury the post at around 40% of the height of the pole. This way you can make sure that it can manage its weight properly.

Error in Attachment Accessories

Attachment accessories are important when installing shade sails and using quality accessories is important as choosing a quality shade sail material. When you install a shade sail, you will need accessories such as tensioning devices, joiners, and anchors.

If choosing low-quality attachment accessories you will encounter a lot of issues during and after the installation. It can be risky for your house structure and occupants if the shade sail collapses during extreme weather events. A loose shade sail will not have an evenly distributed force. It will put extreme pressure on specific areas, further weakening the entire structure.

Don’t Cut Costs on Posts

Posts are important to secure and maintain an evenly distributed force. When installing the post, make sure to angle it slightly so that it won’t look bent. Make sure that the post can withstand the weight of the shade sail when dry or wet.

A moderate wind will easily knock your shade sail structure down if you are using a low-quality, poorly installed post. Before deciding to install a shade sail on your property ensure you have the budget to purchase quality materials.

To Wrap It Up

How long your shade sail lasts depends on your choice of materials, the design, and how you install it. It is not recommended to cut back on shade sail costs if you want it to look good and last long.