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Shade Sail Discussion

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irish pete ag06
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3:17p, 3/7/21
AG
I've done a search and there's various posts about these but not a seemingly dedicated thread.

I have a roughly 20x20 area I'm looking to cover with a shade sail. One side will attach to my house and the other side to posts that I plan to put in the ground.

Any thoughts are appreciated! Any brands you recommend? I plan to take this down during the winter months.

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Builder93
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5:43p, 3/7/21
AG
I wouldn't attach a shade sail to the house. A strong wind will damage the house.
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mAgnoliAg
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7:23p, 3/7/21
irish pete ag06
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In reply to Builder93 • 7:50p, 3/7/21
AG
Builder93 said:
I wouldn't attach a shade sail to the house. A strong wind will damage the house.
I mean wouldn't most of these shades just rip before it damaged a house if the eye bolt/screw it was attached to was installed correctly. I understand these things will likely need to be replaced after each summer.
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toolshed
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9:02p, 3/7/21
AG
Saw a few disasters with the snow down here. People attached them to houses and the load from the snow/ ice ripped them and the trim off the house. I little planning ahead now that people know can help alleviate that issue.

Attaching to the house, if you attach to the fascia/ soffit area, it's one of the weakest points of attaching something to the structure.

No, it won't tear the fabric first. With the eyelets and hems on them, the fabric itself can pretty fairly stout.
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irish pete ag06
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In reply to toolshed • 9:36p, 3/7/21
AG
toolshed said:
Saw a few disasters with the snow down here. People attached them to houses and the load from the snow/ ice ripped them and the trim off the house. I little planning ahead now that people know can help alleviate that issue.

Attaching to the house, if you attach to the fascia/ soffit area, it's one of the weakest points of attaching something to the structure.

No, it won't tear the fabric first. With the eyelets and hems on them, the fabric itself can pretty fairly stout.


Well I will take mine down each fall so snow shouldn't be an issue.

If you can get through the fascia and into a rafter too, that should be pretty beefy I would think?
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OnlyForNow
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In reply to irish pete ag06 • 6:19a, 3/8/21
AG
I had sails up, but instead of facia they put in 2x6s which is what I anchored the sails to with eye bolts.

It'll be fine. My suggesting is putting a stainless carabiner on the end of the sail's rope and booking it to the eye hook and not tying the rope to the hook.
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jtp01
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7:13a, 3/8/21
AG
It depends largely on the expected wind. I had a couple in the Texas panhandle and I anchored to a post on my porch. We put them up and took them down each time using the stainless steel carabiners mentioned earlier.

Out her we have to be concerned with crazy wind events popping up out of nowhere. As a matter of fact we are in the build process right now and we actually turned the house 30 something degrees to block the most predominant winds. We overlayed the wind rose and rotated the house to minimize the wind in the back yard. Using the barn on the NW side to block we really only have a ENE wind to worry about and that combination is minimal where we are.
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Builder93
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In reply to irish pete ag06 • 3:22p, 3/8/21
AG
irish pete ag06 said:
toolshed said:
Saw a few disasters with the snow down here. People attached them to houses and the load from the snow/ ice ripped them and the trim off the house. I little planning ahead now that people know can help alleviate that issue.

Attaching to the house, if you attach to the fascia/ soffit area, it's one of the weakest points of attaching something to the structure.

No, it won't tear the fabric first. With the eyelets and hems on them, the fabric itself can pretty fairly stout.


Well I will take mine down each fall so snow shouldn't be an issue.

If you can get through the fascia and into a rafter too, that should be pretty beefy I would think?


Again, I wouldn't do that. But, hey, what do I know, I've only had them engineered and installed on multiple commercial projects. Why don't you try it and then leave it up when a good storm comes around and you are not home. Also, if you are spending only enough to have to replace it every year, you are buying a garbage product.
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irish pete ag06
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In reply to Builder93 • 3:38p, 3/8/21
AG
Builder93 said:
irish pete ag06 said:
toolshed said:
Saw a few disasters with the snow down here. People attached them to houses and the load from the snow/ ice ripped them and the trim off the house. I little planning ahead now that people know can help alleviate that issue.

Attaching to the house, if you attach to the fascia/ soffit area, it's one of the weakest points of attaching something to the structure.

No, it won't tear the fabric first. With the eyelets and hems on them, the fabric itself can pretty fairly stout.


Well I will take mine down each fall so snow shouldn't be an issue.

If you can get through the fascia and into a rafter too, that should be pretty beefy I would think?


Again, I wouldn't do that. But, hey, what do I know, I've only had them engineered and installed on multiple commercial projects. Why don't you try it and then leave it up when a good storm comes around and you are not home. Also, if you are spending only enough to have to replace it every year, you are buying a garbage product.


I get it. Sorry my dumb questions offend you dude.

I understand you wouldn't do that and I'm not 100% certain I'm going to either. Just starting to explore this.

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JeepWaveEarl
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3:57p, 3/8/21
AG
We did this and just bought a shade off amazon.. it worked like a charm. We bolted metal circles into the walls and then used the grommets with carabiners.
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irish pete ag06
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4:02p, 3/8/21
AG
So how would the experts shade this area here?
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Builder93
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4:15p, 3/8/21
AG
4 posts and a shade sail if you want to go that direction. It's going to cost.
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Builder93
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In reply to irish pete ag06 • 4:17p, 3/8/21
AG
irish pete ag06 said:
Builder93 said:
irish pete ag06 said:
toolshed said:
Saw a few disasters with the snow down here. People attached them to houses and the load from the snow/ ice ripped them and the trim off the house. I little planning ahead now that people know can help alleviate that issue.

Attaching to the house, if you attach to the fascia/ soffit area, it's one of the weakest points of attaching something to the structure.

No, it won't tear the fabric first. With the eyelets and hems on them, the fabric itself can pretty fairly stout.


Well I will take mine down each fall so snow shouldn't be an issue.

If you can get through the fascia and into a rafter too, that should be pretty beefy I would think?


Again, I wouldn't do that. But, hey, what do I know, I've only had them engineered and installed on multiple commercial projects. Why don't you try it and then leave it up when a good storm comes around and you are not home. Also, if you are spending only enough to have to replace it every year, you are buying a garbage product.


I get it. Sorry my dumb questions offend you dude.

I understand you wouldn't do that and I'm not 100% certain I'm going to either. Just starting to explore this.

.

And I'm not offended, I have just dealt with too many people who ask for advice, they get it, and them they say why they are not going to take the advice instead of heeding the experience if others.
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irish pete ag06
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In reply to JeepWaveEarl • 6:28p, 3/8/21
AG
AGGODDESS said:
We did this and just bought a shade off amazon.. it worked like a charm. We bolted metal circles into the walls and then used the grommets with carabiners.


Got a pic?
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OnlyForNow
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In reply to Builder93 • 8:10a, 3/9/21
AG
I think your shade sail isn't even close to the same category as what is being discussed here.

You're talking about a multi-thousand dollar piece of equipment, right?

I think the shade sails being discussed are what's sold at Costco for 50 bucks.
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irish pete ag06
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In reply to OnlyForNow • 8:50a, 3/9/21
AG
OnlyForNow said:
I think your shade sail isn't even close to the same category as what is being discussed here.

You're talking about a multi-thousand dollar piece of equipment, right?

I think the shade sails being discussed are what's sold at Costco for 50 bucks.
Right. I'm not looking for a shade sail I am going to use for 30 years or anything. I just want a temporary shade solution in the back yard (which faces the dang south). Eventually when I have the money or if/when we put on a new roof I'm considering remodeling the patio covering into a much larger open gable design. If I'm going to spend thousands that's what I will do instead.
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AgCWby90CS
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In reply to irish pete ag06 • 9:06a, 3/9/21
AG
irish pete ag06 said:
OnlyForNow said:
I think your shade sail isn't even close to the same category as what is being discussed here.

You're talking about a multi-thousand dollar piece of equipment, right?

I think the shade sails being discussed are what's sold at Costco for 50 bucks.
Right. I'm not looking for a shade sail I am going to use for 30 years or anything. I just want a temporary shade solution in the back yard (which faces the dang south). Eventually when I have the money or if/when we put on a new roof I'm considering remodeling the patio covering into a much larger open gable design. If I'm going to spend thousands that's what I will do instead.
If your willing to cut into a couple bays of soffit, you would be able to beef up the blocking behind the fascia and then bolt thru that blocking with a heavy eye bolt before covering the soffit back up vs only a lag screw.
CWby '90
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one MEEN Ag
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In reply to irish pete ag06 • 2:01p, 3/9/21
AG
I don't fully understand how you plan to put a shade sail in the space you currently have.

You're going to need to put posts in the ground outside your concrete patio edge, and have the sail attached to those.

How do you use the space and how do you want to use it?

Costco has like 16' in diameter shade umbrellas as well. Giant sum*****es. That would probably actually look nice out on the corner of the patio.
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irish pete ag06
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In reply to one MEEN Ag • 2:35p, 3/9/21
AG
one MEEN Ag said:
I don't fully understand how you plan to put a shade sail in the space you currently have.

You're going to need to put posts in the ground outside your concrete patio edge, and have the sail attached to those.

How do you use the space and how do you want to use it?

Costco has like 16' in diameter shade umbrellas as well. Giant sum*****es. That would probably actually look nice out on the corner of the patio.



Yes I planned to add 2 posts at an angle to help with the bowing. I would use one rectangular shade sail attached to the house and these 2 posts.

Haven't thought about the umbrella. I'll look into that too.

We use the space to hang out in the evenings. Our kids ride bikes and scooters around on it and the other patio areas not pictured.

The side of the house pictured faces due south so the curved end of the concrete is facing southeast.
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Builder93
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In reply to OnlyForNow • 2:38p, 3/9/21
AG
OnlyForNow said:
I think your shade sail isn't even close to the same category as what is being discussed here.

You're talking about a multi-thousand dollar piece of equipment, right?

I think the shade sails being discussed are what's sold at Costco for 50 bucks.


True, if it's 50 bucks, I would plan on the fabric ripping apart and looking terrible pretty quick. Why spend more money on posts and hardware than you spend on the shade sail? Doesn't make any sense to me.
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BWnDallas
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5:02p, 3/9/21
AG
The giant umbrella may be your best choice. They are not cheap so I would look on Craigslist and hope to spot one to 'Try Out" cheap. You may even need 2 to cover that whole thing.

I used a shade sail at my boat slip for many years. It was the triangle variety and I had about 800 square feet of living space to shade just from evening sun. This was a large slip with a high roof. It requires trial and error and needs to be adjustable for time of day and seasonal variations in the sun location. I don't think you will be happy with the sail at all for that whole area.

I used a series of adjustable ropes/eyes/pullys/cleats to raise mine and could easily adjust it in seconds. I also used a bungy cord on the top eye connections to leave some play in it for high winds.

Good luck, but it will be an iterative process to set the right locations and angles for your situation. The giant umbrella(s) seem like the most likely path to some success for a reasonable cost.
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Chase
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5:54p, 3/9/21
AG
You could always go with a pergola and a shade that can be pulled back and forth over/through the boards, as well, but that's a good bit more expensive.

I'm not talking about the tracked, remote controllable stuff, but that's even more expensive. You can do something on your own that allows you to pull the shade from one side to the other for very little. Alternatively, you could look at something like this?

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OnlyForNow
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In reply to Builder93 • 7:43p, 3/9/21
AG
Just for reference, I'm not sure what the brand is, but I bought two shades from Costco (around $50 each) that have been up 24/7, for 3 years and still doing good. The ropes broke during the snow/ice we had but they still don't have holes in them nor are they ripped. They are triangle shaped and anchored into the house at two points and a live oak at the other.
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irish pete ag06
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In reply to Chase • 7:59p, 3/9/21
AG
Chase said:
You could always go with a pergola and a shade that can be pulled back and forth over/through the boards, as well, but that's a good bit more expensive.

I'm not talking about the tracked, remote controllable stuff, but that's even more expensive. You can do something on your own that allows you to pull the shade from one side to the other for very little. Alternatively, you could look at something like this?



I have considered the pergola idea. I've also considered just building another free standing covered area with metal roofing. It would look a little janky right beside our existing patio cover but I've always been more about functionality than aesthetics.
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evan_aggie
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9:31p, 3/9/21
AG
This was off Amazon. We really enjoyed this in the summer.

I added 2x6s cut to fit between the rafters down at the end of the trim under the roof overhang. I added eye bolts as others mentioned.

I will say this: I must have done a damn good job reinforcing it bc it held a ton of snow and didn't budge. The stupid sail of course started to stretch over time with each rain, and snow. I ended up having to tighten them a few times over the months.
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Potcake
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7:33p, 3/15/21
AG
Renting a house in Mexico and they have several sails which withstand ocean breezes. They use tubular steel posts and anchors into stone.




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irish pete ag06
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In reply to Potcake • 9:09p, 3/15/21
AG
Wow, thanks for the pics, and nice humble brag.
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Aggie1205
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9:33p, 3/16/21
AG
Walmart

Some brands will list the GSM that can give you an idea of the quality of material. These are 230 GSM.
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TheOC16
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In reply to evan_aggie • 8:36a, 6/25/23
AG
evan_aggie said:
This was off Amazon. We really enjoyed this in the summer.

I added 2x6s cut to fit between the rafters down at the end of the trim under the roof overhang. I added eye bolts as others mentioned.

I will say this: I must have done a damn good job reinforcing it bc it held a ton of snow and didn't budge. The stupid sail of course started to stretch over time with each rain, and snow. I ended up having to tighten them a few times over the months.

How high off the ground are the anchor points in your house?

I'm wanting to do something very similar to my back patio (but use two overlapping triangles), but the height of my rafters is less than 7.5' off the ground and concerned that's going to look way too low…
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evan_aggie
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In reply to TheOC16 • 9:04a, 6/25/23
AG
It is similar. Single story house 8' ceilings.

I think the key was to mount the other side as high as possible.

It would feel low if I kept both sides 8' but one side I had to get up on a ladder for the other side.
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Hornbeck
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1:24a, 7/7/23
AG
I'm looking at doing something like this, and was thinking of using concrete anchors into the brick, just under the soffit.

Better to tie into the rafters? Thoughts?
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Apache
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6:55a, 7/7/23
AG
I've installed shade sails for people. I have used the carabiner method for attachment. I also add a heavy duty spring to help avoid rips in high winds or when limbs/ice fall on top.
I also use springs when attaching string lights to posts.
Something like this (Internet pic, not my hand! )

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evan_aggie
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7:14a, 7/7/23
AG
Damn Apache! You've got some oven-mitts for hands.

Interesting idea. Have you ever seen it in action?

I had a shade sail hold a bunch of snow. Not sure how heavy. It definitely bowed but spring right back.
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tgivaughn
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4:21p, 7/7/23
AG
Buy the better tarps on line
The SOP blue poly locals sell 6mil might last 12 months but the 12mil can last 42 months for only twice the price & less ripping at eyeholes

Attach with bungees
Corners get rubber
The field get the SOP types, so long as all eyes get one

Since no trees to bungee TO assumed
then suggest a cable or at least a rope perimeter to serve

May I excuse myself from the attach-to-house aspects?

Me thinks poles & holes a separate discussion so this thread doesn't go out into right field, departing from the sail focus at hand

BTW: now 2 years later ....
irish pete ag06 should be posting what he DID?

Ten words or less ... a goal unattainable
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