Installing a shade sail
This page is contains more advanced specifications on installing a shade sail. It includes information on installing roof brackets for shade sails, roof post installation for shade sails, post sizes for shade sails, and much much more. This is a guide only, schedules listed are based on typical shade sail installations under normal conditions.
Where the structural stability of a building is in question, or you have any doubts about the integrity of the landscape, a building inspector or structural engineer should be consulted before proceeding.
If the size of the shade sail exceeds recommended maximum size, or the job is located in high wind areas e.g. beachfront, steep inclines, cyclone regions etc, we recommend you consult a structural engineer.
Post Sizes for shade sails
The table below indicates the critical factors when choosing the post size for shade sails.
they are: the height of the post and the sq. area of the sail(s) to be attached .
Post Height
A.G.L. |
Square area of Shade Sail |
| |
10 m2 |
20 m2 |
30 m2 |
40 m2 |
50 m2 |
2.1m |
75 x 75 x 3.0 SHS |
75 x 75 x 3.0 SHS |
75 x 75 x 4.0 SHS |
75 x 75 x 4.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 4.0 SHS |
2.4m |
75 x 75 x 3.0 SHS |
75 x 75 x 3.5 SHS |
100 x 100 x 3.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 4.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 5.0 SHS |
2.7m |
75 x 75 x 3.0 SHS |
75 x 75 x 3.5 SHS |
100 x 100 x 3.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 4.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 5.0 SHS |
3.0m |
75 x 75 x 3.0 SHS |
75 x 75 x 4.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 4.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 5.0 SHS |
125 x 125 x 4.0 SHS |
3.3m |
75 x 75 x 3.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 3.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 4.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 5.0 SHS |
125 x 125 x 4.0 SHS |
3.6m |
75 x 75 x 3.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 3.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 4.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 5.0 SHS |
125 x 125 x 5.0 SHS |
3.9m |
75 x 75 x 3.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 3.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 4.0 SHS |
125 x 125 x 4.0 SHS |
125 x 125 x 5.0 SHS |
4.2m |
75 x 75 x 3.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 4.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 5.0 SHS |
125 x 125 x 4.0 SHS |
125 x 125 x 5.0 SHS |
4.5m |
75 x 75 x 3.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 4.0 SHS |
100 x 100 x 5.0 SHS |
125 x 125 x 5.0 SHS |
125 x 125 x 5.0 SHS |
Footings for Shade sails
Concrete footings should be poured directly into excavation and around post. Hand tamp to remove air voids. The table below describes the minimum hole size you should use, based on the size of the shade sail attached .
Sail Area |
Footing Size |
10 m 2 |
Ø 300mm x 700mm |
20 m 2 |
ø 400mm x 850mm |
30 m 2 |
ø 450mm x 950mm |
40 m 2 |
ø 450mm x 1.1m |
50 m 2 |
ø 500mm x 1.15m |
Note: A.G.L = Above Ground Level
Post Installation
Posts should be installed correctly with a 3-5 degree angle leaning away from the sail tension. The Footings should be as per the footing size scheduled in the section "Footing sizes'. The Footing size is bounded by the area of the sail attached . The post has been installed with a rake between 3-5 degrees . Allow min 48hrs to set before fitting shade sails.
Wire Sizes
The Wire size is another important scalable factor. The table below describes what wire thickness should be used based on the square area of the shade sail.
Sail Area |
Wire diameter |
Up to 20m 2 |
3.2mm |
20 to 40m 2 |
4.0 |
40 - 50m 2 |
6mm |
|
