Shade sails are becoming popular here in Australia as more and more people enjoyed the benefits that they can provide. 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 up to the installation itself.

As shade sail experts, it is our duty to provide useful bits of information to the public so that they become aware of everything they should know about shade sails. This includes but not limited to the mistakes that we have seen a lot of people have made.

For you to avoid these mistakes altogether, you can check out the common shade sail mistakes that everyone have been doing and stay aware.

Shade Sails Purchase Mistakes

During your purchase, you might do some mistakes unconsciously because you are not aware of it at all. When you go shopping for shade sails to install on your property, you must remember these mistakes that were committed by people who bought shade sails before you.

Choosing the Cheapest Shade Sail Available

Many people have thought that all shade sails have the same materials used when manufactured no matter the price. Not because all shade sails look the same means that they are made with the same quality materials.

You must keep in mind that you will only get what you pay for. If you choose to buy a cheap shade sail, you will have to accept the fact that it has a low-quality material and will not last long. This means that you will need to replace your shade sails sooner than later and this will be an added cost to you.

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 a high-quality shade that you will surely enjoy for the longest time.

Buying Shade Sails DIY Kit Without Proper Knowledge

There is nothing wrong with choosing to buy DIY shade sails and install them on your own. However, you must know that DIY shade sails are only meant for people who are strong and competent in achieving the proper outcome.

If you are not well-informed and think that you’re not capable of installing your shade sails, it is best to let the professional handle the dirty job and just enjoy the end product of having a nice shade sail on your property.

Some people forced themselves to install the shade sails on their own and only end up getting frustrated and worst damaged the newly bought shade sails. There are so 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. Some people think that shade sail colour does not matter at all and just buy what they see in the hardware.

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. If you fail to match your shade sail to the colour of your house, imagine how ridiculous it could look.

Shade Sail Design Mistakes

Now that you are fully aware of what mistakes you should avoid when purchasing a shade sail, let us now go with the design mistakes that we have seen many people have made. When it comes to shade sail design, you must take note of the following mistakes and avoid them.

• You must not go for a long-skinny shapes shade sail design. If you are going to opt for a rectangular shade sail, it is best to remember that the shorter sides should be half the length of the longer sides.
• If the space that you want to cover has a rectangular or square shape, avoid using the 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. What they do not know that when you buy a shade sail with the same size as space it will end up to be too small.
• Avoid flat sail design as much as possible. It is best to create a design that has different heights from every attachment points to avoid premature damages to your shade sails. The height difference of the shade sail attachment will let the wind go through easily and will avoid the 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.
  Always use a lifetime warranty thread that is meant for shade sail usage. Whatever the circumstances are, never use a regular thread as it can not last long.

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, you might want to avoid these following when you install the shade sail on your property.

Using Weak Fixing Points

This mistake is very common among DIYers. They do not know how important 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 damage the entire shade sail structure.

Make sure that the posts are strong and located at the correct spot. 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 you use low-quality attachment accessories you will encounter a lot of issues during and after the installation. It can be risky for your house and the people around if the shade sail collapsed during extreme weathers.

Don’t Cut Costs on Posts

You mustn’t cut back on post cost as it is important to have a sturdy and quality shade sail post. When installing the post, make sure to lean it out 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 simple wind will easily knock your shade sail structure down if you are using a low-quality post. Before you decide to install a shade sail on your property make sure that you have enough budget to purchase quality materials.

To Wrap It Up

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