Installing solar window screens in a wood frame requires cutting the solar window screen slightly larger than the window frame and pulling the solar screen fabric. If you are changing the clutch to the left side of the shade or mounting it from the top/ceiling, a non-standard installation may be required. Following the simple, step-by-step instructions in this video makes hanging custom motorized exterior solar shades easy. Solar screens can be attached in several ways, depending on your window type and layout.
In this video, the author explains how to tie down outdoor solar shades for patios and what holds them down. They also discuss where to install exterior solar shades and the importance of using a 5/64″ drill bit to pre-drill the screw holes.
To install solar roller shades, follow the step-by-step instructions provided in the video tutorial. The tools required include a tape measure, pencil, drill, drill bits, screw driver, step stool, or ladder. The guide provides optimal sun protection in outdoor spaces and includes instructions on how to mount the brackets, install the shade, attach the fascia panel, attach stops to the metal or plastic base chain, and install the shades.
📹 Coolaroo Outdoor Roller Shade / Blind – install and review
Installed this in about twenty minutes on our back patio. Really easy. And really effective too! So glad I put this up, as it means we …
📹 Install Sail Shades Like a Pro
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Great article. I would use pressure treated 4x6s or 6x6s though. The Douglas fur with spar urethane won’t last too long especially underground. Use the pressure treated wood and wrap the part underground with synthetic felt or a good window tape for around new windows. I built my 50×35 garage this way. 3 ft deep at least
Quick, concise, to the point, and informative, all with no silly intro, no obnoxious background music, or inane special effects. Plus, you made me feel stupid, too. I know all about turnbuckles. Used them for fences a hundred times. Never dawned on me to use them like this. Coupled with some springs to protect the sail if it gets gusty… dare I say genius? You found a new sub. Don’t change your format, just hit us with the knowledge.
Good info, let me add to it. A three foot hole and concrete is not enough for those poles if you live in a area with strong winds – and really, who doesn’t? Four feet minimum for something like this that is under constant tension. Also, with soft sandy soil like he shows in the article, go deep as you can. I used those ratcheting cargo straps to easily pull the shade sail tight. You can get plenty of tension and it’s very safe.
So im just going to throw something at the interwebs and face the consequences. I put up shade sails in the back yard for a graduation party and expected to take them down after a season. Did it on the cheap and this is what I learned. Four by fours, while not the best are actually a pretty good option for posts if done correctly. They will bow towards the sails after awhile because of the tension but its not the end of the world. If you angle the posts away from the sails to about two or three feet between the sail clip ends and the posts you should have plenty of room for bowing. It actually looks nice and and there is a good reason to do this. Seal and stain the posts before sinking them. They will last a good while and being free standing, not a big deal to replace if need be. mine have been in the ground for four years now and im having no problems. We were going to take the shades down after the season but kept them up because we liked them. I didnt buy special hardware for the sails. I did buy inexpensive boat winches from amazon. I connected the winches about chest high on the posts, ran the straps through an I bolt at the top of the posts, clipped the end of the winch strap to the shade sail corners, and cranked tension when needed. When storms came in the shades were down in five minutes and back up even faster when they passed. That is I took them down when I thought about it, sometimes. These things take a beating and I’m continuously surprised by they’re resilience.
It’s not wise to use wood, it will bow in time and if you do, don’t install it level, lean it back a few degrees, as it will pitch in due to ground settling. I used steel 4 x 4’s that were 5/16th’s thick and painted before installing. They’ve been there for 13 years and look great. Also only buy steel perimeter cable style shades, the dark colors like brown block the most heat. Use short lengths of stainless chain links to take up slack. Use a ratchet strap to tension and set load.
I spent some time with one of the United States wealthiest investors that lives in Berwyn PA. He had a gigantic sail shade (probally 60’x80′) and it was drawn taught with an electric winch system. I suppose the avid DIY crowd could do the same. The corners were anchored to concrete buildings and lanscape features but the midddle “bridle loop” like with a parachute was raised into the air via stainless winch cable to an outrigger with a pulley. Very clean install and easy to take down for replacement . Bonus nachos- he also has a flexible misting system attached to it to further reduce the temperature but not soak guests.
Somewhere “out there” I saw a article (not yours) that showed using springs at the corners. Of course, I could not find it again and about a weeks worth of Google searching did not turn up anything about what kind of springs to use or what they were called or where to buy them. Then I searched YT for “solar sun sail spring” and BOOM, this was the first hit. With a handy link to a porch swing. Now I can add those to my shopping list. Thank you very much!
I use Coolaroo premium sun shades due to they have a 15 yr warranty. The cheaper brands may hold up for 5 years but the color will fade. I also use Cam buckes straps d/t when its cold the shade shrinks but when the sun hits for 2 hrs while up and sagging I then pull on the Cam buckle to stretch all out. Its also very easy to adjust with the Cam buckle and very easy to take down which I do during the rainy season. Those springs look great but to much work for me. Adios
Awesome article! I’m thinking I’m doing something like this to provide a little privacy around my pool area. The extra shade is nice, but I need it more for privacy When I bought the place a few years ago, there was nothing but wooded areas in my backyard Now an entire housing development is being built. As luck would have it, a double story house is directly in my line of sight. I’d like to use these sails as a way of providing year round privacy. without being blocked in by walls. Do you know if the canvas or material will hold up year round?
Hi- I need this for the side of my house- the sun is hitting that wall – my space is 49’ long by 13’ wide- this is the most economical way- you speak about space, I do t think I have much- what size sail should I buy? I am thinking of attaching to home and then to 4×6 like you recommend- should I get 3 sails? Help days are starting to get hot – thanks for this article!!!
I watched your article regarding sun shades. Very well explained. I just have one question, you mentioned that you like the 2 high and 2 low set up for the shade and you said it did not work in this instant. Did you have a triangle shade or rectangular shade? I like that idea about two high and two low. Would this work for a rectangular shaped sun shade? Thank you for the article very informational. Thank you for all the help you can advise.
Cool, I wish I had seen this before I got the sail shade, I would have stuck with an umbrella 🥵 This job is growing by leaps, handy persons we are not. Emphasize NOT. Now we have to borrow, rent a trailer, return and exchange the wrong hardware, borrow/buy a posthole digger, schedule a weekend for a cuss job and a half and…. by the time it’s done it is winter. The airconditioned house starts to look mighty fine.
Hi, Thanks for the article and great information. I live in the valley too. How did the way you installed your sail hold up in monsoon season – was the tension tight enough or too tight in the strong winds? I watched one article that said to have the post at a little bit of an angle away from the direction the tension will be pulling towards. Do you think that would have been helpful or not necessary? Thank you
I asked my colleagues, and couple of relatives i know, they are all round have good knowledge about things around the house and what lasts, what not, but i got comments these shadea might not be too durable, whats your opinion? Cause im set for making this in our garden, i freaking love it, im just hoping it last a couple of years at least and it can withstand some wind and rain as well. Thanks
Great information Dan and important suggestions for using cables, tighteners and springs. We have had Shade Sails for 15 years and we purchased the best Shade Sails made by Coolaroo. They are put up every May and taken down in October. Colorado winters are such that they would be ruined by the weight of the snow and ice. 6X6 posts or larger are necessary here where winds are above 50 mph at times. Jerry
I’d hate to see this sail shade with those springs in a decent wind. I’ve seen tarps with bungees move violently with large oscillations in as little as 20mph of wind. Looks good when it’s just sitting there. Probably be better off just using the turn buckles to get it as tight and secure as possible. Or plan on taking it down.
We’ve been planning to do this on our driveway to act as a shade for ourselves and parked cars. I guess our biggest worry is the wind. Would staggered triangle pieces help lessen the chance of catching strong wind? We are aware that we need more than one if we do that. And our winds can uproot old and large trees 😬 Will it make a difference if we go for triangles instead of a big rectangle? Thank you for this vid!
I’m thinking of doing a 24’x24′ square with 2 high and 2 low in a color, with two flying triangles over either end overlapping the square but in white. This would make a total of 34’x24’ish, running back from my house. Maybe 8 pists and 2 attached to the house. Has anyone seen anything like that before? Got a photo? Is there a product for posts and sailshade that can be left up in winter, in New England with snow? 25% slope minimum I read somewhere, right?
Cement is not required. It will hold water against the wood and the post will rot out sooner in wet climates. A 3-foot deep hole with the earth repeatedly tamped down (bottom to top, just a few inches at a time. More dirt – tamptamp – more dirt tamptamp etc. A line with a truckers hitch works just fine. Very cheap, but you MUST buy decent-quality parachute-style chord. When using lines, springs, and hardware are not required. I have three across my deck and pool. I replace the line each spring.
So I’m perusal this and I like the idea of the porch swing springs. Glad to know my choice to use 4×6 posts was the right choice. But I need clarification on something: you go into detail on how to hook the spring to the pad eye in the corner where you had to use two springs due to miscalculating the distance, but you don’t explain how you hooked the porch spring to the pad eyes in the other corners without the additional spring. The porch swing spring doesn’t appear to have an open end. Do you just use some heavy duty s hooks there?
Dude! Thank you! I’m pretty mechanical and… old lol so I’ve done just about everything. Having said that, never put up a sail shade. Bought one surprisingly inexpensive on Amazon and it’s a gorgeous turquoise. I bought it because the Tampa heat and UV is ripping ass on my Lexus leather and paint job. This house only has a nice carport but I use that for other things and can’t park my car in it. Anyway if you can imagine a rectangle house with a smaller rectangle carport on the front…. I bought a triangle shade to basically buy me a bit of cover for my car in the hottest part of the day. I bought the adjustable screws, a concrete anchor ( one point is going into cinder block) and 3 eye plates all beefy enough rated at 350 pounds. What I didn’t get is the springs! Damn! That’s brilliant! I saved a few springs from an old 12 foot trampoline the kids used. They are in visually fine shape. I don’t know what weight they are rated at but the coils are about 2-3 inch diameter and about 6 inches long. Before I go to ACE and let them rape my wallet for springs… in your opinion, you think those would work? Oh, the safe is 12x12x17… a long triangle which will fit nicely. ???? Thanks for making the article. Right to the points and we’ll shot. Easy to watch all the way through!