INSTALL GUIDE

Plan your mounting points, set them at the right distance, and tension your sail the way the pros do. Most 4-corner sails go up in an afternoon with two people.

SUGGESTED MOUNTING DISTANCES

Our sails are sold by finished size. Your mounting points sit farther apart than the sail, so the hardware has room to attach and tension. Every sail's page shows its own diagram.

How to read the diagramThe inner shape is the finished sail. Posts sit out from each corner along the diagonal by the hardware take-up. Dimensions are mount to mount, measured from the eye the shackle attaches to.

Add SlopeSet corners at different heights. A drop of at least 1 ft for every 10 ft of sail sheds rain, adds twist and keeps the fabric tighter. Avoid installing a sail flat.The mounting distance diagram above is laid out flat. If you vary heights, you may need slightly longer mounting eye distances to make up for the height difference. May result in longer than suggested attachment hardware (an extra shackle or two may be all required).

Hypar TwistOn larger sails, set opposite corners high and low so the fabric twists into a 3D saddle shape (a hyperbolic paraboloid, or "hypar"). The twist pulls the fabric tight in two directions, which greatly improves the sail's strength and stability, reduces flapping in wind and sheds rain. Strictly recommended for any sail 20 ft or more on a side.

From above

From the side

Layered sails with hypar twists over a downtown walkway — A hypar twist in the real world: two high corners, two low.

Find your sail's diagram

MOUNT TYPES

Every corner needs a solid point to pull against: a pole or post, a beam, or a wall.

Poles & Posts

RECOMMENDEDSteel postsSquare hollow section (SHS) steel, round galvanized pipe, or structural steel, set in deep concrete footings up to 24" in diameter.

IF YOU MUSTWood posts6x6 or larger, with the same deep footing requirement as steel.

TIPAngle posts away from the sailSetting posts at a slight angle away from the sail increases how much force they can handle.

Shade sails exert tremendous force on their posts, especially during medium to high winds. Size your posts and footings for that load, not just for the sail's weight.

Steel posts bolted to concrete with base plates, holding triangle sails — Steel posts bolted to concrete with base plates. Every post carries serious load, so the anchoring underneath matters as much as the post.

Mounting Hardware

Screw EyesGreat for wood posts or solid wood beams. Screws straight into the wood.

Eye BoltsFor wood or steel posts, through-bolted with an eye nut. Can also be epoxied into solid concrete.

Pad EyesAttach to the top of a pergola, the side of a flat post, or a vertical wall.

Mounts carry serious load. A tensioned sail pulls hard on every corner, and wind multiplies it. If you are unsure whether a post, wall or footing is strong enough, have a contractor or engineer check it before you install.

Shop mounting hardware →

ENSURE ADEQUATE TAKE-UP

Take-up is the distance the hardware covers between the sail's corner ring and the mount. Plan for it before you set posts.

Take-up is required to compensate for the small amount of stretch every sail has over time. Turnbuckles need room to keep tightening down. Over the years, shackles or extra lengths can be removed to "reset" the turnbuckle distance and keep the sail taut.

Turnbuckle set	Sails	Sail corner to mount
5/16" set	Under 15 ft (longest side)	11¾"
3/8" set	15 ft to under 20 ft	13½"
1/2" set	20 ft and up	16½"

Too closeIf a mount is closer than the take-up, the hardware won't fit with the turnbuckle open. Move the mount, or choose a smaller sail.

Too farBridge the extra distance with chain or aircraft cable between the shackle and the mount, kept in line with the corner.

Using your own hardware?Measure its length from sail ring to mount eye with the turnbuckle about half open, and use that as your take-up.

INSTALLATION STEPS

With mounts in place, hang and tension the sail. Check tension again after the first windy week.

Prepare the hardwareOpen each turnbuckle fully, then attach the shackles and any other hardware (chain, cable, links) to it.
Lay out the sailUnfold the sail under the mounts and decide its orientation. Hems face downward. A sail left out on a hot surface may shrink slightly from the heat. This is normal, but it can make the sail harder to install.
Attach the cornersConnect the sail to the hardware, starting with the most difficult corner to reach. Don't tighten anything yet.
Pull in the last cornerSecuring the last corner can take substantial force. Use the small rope supplied with your sail to pull it in; a ratchet strap or come-along can help.
Lubricate and tensionApply anti-seize lubricant to all turnbuckle threads. Then tighten each turnbuckle a few turns at a time, working around the sail, until the fabric is taut and edges don't flap. Don't over-tighten one corner.
Lock it downTighten the jam nuts on each turnbuckle, then apply tie-wire through each turnbuckle to keep it from unwinding. Turnbuckles unwinding is very common, and without tie-wire it leads to turnbuckle failure.

You'll need

A helper
Ladder
Two adjustable wrenches
Pliers (for the tie-wire)
Tape measure
Optional: ratchet strap or come-along for the last corner

(Every turnbuckle we ship includes anti-seize lubricant and tie-wire.)

FAQ

Answers to the questions we hear most, by topic.

Sizing & fit

Is the listed size the sail or the space?

The finished sail, corner ring to corner ring. Mount-to-mount distances are larger; see the diagram on each sail's page.

Why are the edges curved?

Each edge is cut with a curve so the sail tensions evenly and doesn't flap. The shaded area is a little smaller than the listed size.

My space doesn't match a standard size.

Choose a sail smaller than your mount layout and bridge the gap with chain or cable, or order a made-to-measure sail from Custom Shade Sails.

Hardware & mounting

Which turnbuckle set do I need?

It's sized by the sail's longest side: 5/16" under 15 ft, 3/8" from 15 to under 20 ft, 1/2" at 20 ft and up. Each sail's page suggests the right set.

Is mounting hardware included?

Turnbuckle sets include the turnbuckle and two shackles per corner. Pad eyes, eye bolts and screws are sold separately.

Can I use my own hardware?

Yes. Plan your mount distances around your hardware's take-up, and use stainless steel rated for the load.

Installation

How tight should the sail be?

Taut enough that edges don't flap or sag, without straining the corners. Flick each edge: it should feel firm and about the same on every side.

Do I need a professional?

Many customers install their own. Get a contractor or engineer to check posts and footings if you're unsure of their strength.

Can I install over a pool, grill or fire pit?

Keep sails more than 6 ft above pools to limit chlorine exposure, and never over open flame, grills or heaters.

Weather & care

Are the sails waterproof?

No. Solamesh and DualShade are breathable knits that let hot air escape. Slope sheds light rain, but water passes through.

Should I take it down in storms?

Yes. Remove the sail when high winds or storms are forecast, and for winter wherever snow or ice is possible.

How do I clean it?

Mild dish soap, water and a soft brush, rinsed with a garden hose. No bleach, solvents or pressure washers.

Orders, shipping & warranty

How fast does it ship?

Sails ship within 3 business days. Shipping is free on orders over $100.

What's the warranty?

10 years on Solamesh and 15 years on DualShade against UV degradation. Flame, chemicals, storms, snow and improper installation aren't covered.

Can I return a sail?

Within 30 days, unused and like-new. Sails carry a 15% restocking fee, waived when you exchange for a different size. You pay return shipping.

Still have a question? Email orders@americanshadeworks.com.