Prepare Mounting Points.

No — we don't sell poles or posts. We recommend sourcing those locally to suit your site, and we supply all the stainless fixing hardware that connects the sail to them. Sizing guidance is in our poles & footings guide, and you can order fittings from our hardware range.

Steel poles can be purchased from steel merchants, fabricators or hardware suppliers. If you're in the US, our guide on where to buy steel poles lists options.

We supply all the stainless steel mounting and fixing hardware used to connect and tension your sail: D-shackles, turnbuckles, eye plates and pad eyes, chain, fasteners and Nulan grease — plus corner hardware packs for 3, 4, 5 and 6-corner sails. Browse these in our hardware range.

Footing size depends on your post height, sail size, span and local wind conditions. Larger sails generally require deeper and wider concrete footings. Use our basic Poles & Footings PDF and foundation guide for the sizing guidance.

Post diameter and wall thickness scale based on your sail size, height and local wind conditions. Our poles & footings guide provides suggestions for both steel and timber post options.

Steel is the preferred choice for permanent Shade Sail installations because it offers greater strength and durability. Timber can be suitable in some applications but typically requires larger sections and careful detailing. Read more about wooden vs steel posts.

The right mounting hardware depends on your supporting structure. Eye screws are used in solid timber, eye bolts pass through timber or steel for added strength, and eye plates are fixed to walls, masonry, steel posts, or structural timber using multiple fixings. See our mounting hardware size guide.

To a wall or structure, yes — as long as it's solid and rated for the load (masonry or heavy structural timber) and use suitable mounting hardware. Gutters, fascia boards, lightweight fences and other non-structural elements should not be used as mounting points. Unsure? Check with a builder before committing.

For permanent Shade Sail installations, marine-grade 316 stainless steel is the preferred choice. It offers excellent corrosion resistance, especially near pools, coastal areas, and wet climates. Galvanised hardware is less expensive but is more prone to corrosion over time. See our hardware range.

Allow concrete footings to cure for the full time recommended by the concrete manufacturer before applying any load. Rushing this by tensioning a Shade Sail too early can weaken or damage the footing and is a common cause of failure. It's worth the wait.

Often yes - provided they're structurally suitable for the loads of a tensioned Shade Sail. Check that the posts or structure are strong enough, securely installed, and use suitable mounting hardware before measuring your sail.

Yes — we offer fixing hardware packs matched to 3, 4, 5 and 6-corner sails, so you get the right sized shackles and turnbuckles in one go. Note: These packs do not include any mounting hardware items, these must be purchased separately.

No — concrete, tools and diggers are easily hired or bought locally. We focus on the sail and the stainless fixing hardware.

It depends on the sail size and hardware required. While hardware is only one part of the project cost, it's a critical structural component and shouldn't be undersized.
Browse our hardware range for current pricing.

Yes — this is the golden rule. Your custom sail is made from the measurements between installed fixing points, so every post, plate and eye must be in its final position and fully set before you measure. Then move on to the measuring step.