How to install shadecloth between house & fence?

[bschebella1]

I want to put up shadecloth between my house & the fence but don't know how to plan it.

The driveway is approx 3.5m wide x 10m long. The Verandah is 2.4m high with wooden posts & rails, the fence is Colourbond with concrete sleepers below.

Should I attach wood/metal posts to the concrete sleepers or cement them into the ground?

I assume I would need to attach wooden beams between the Verandah & fence to attach the Shadecloth to but don't know how far apart they should be to stop it flapping around & tearing etc?

Is there anything else that I need to consider?

Cheers

Barry

[JacobZ]

Hi Barry (@bschebella1),

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

I'd suggest you start by checking with your local council whether any building approval is required, as a shade sail of this size can sometimes require the submission of plans for approval.

You might like to start by having a read through the discussion How to choose and install a shade sail and Bunnings' guide on How To Install a Shade Sail.

In your situation, you would have to concrete posts into the ground as your Colorbond fence and retaining wall are not designed to support the kind of loads the posts will come under as a result of the shade sail.

Attaching the other side of your shade sail to your verandah is likely possible, but the structure would need to be assessed, and a method of attachment would need to be designed by a suitably qualified person, such as an engineer or licenced builder.

While shade sails might appear simple, the wind loads they experience can be much larger than you expect, and the engineering requirements are beyond what I am capable of designing. To ensure things are done correctly, I'd suggest you engage the services of a licensed builder or a company that specialises in shade sail construction.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[bschebella1]

Thanks Jacob, another question, would it be better to cement posts into the ground on both sides rather than trying to attach to the verandah & would metal or wooden posts both work?

Cheers

Barry

[JacobZ]

Hi Barry (@bschebella1),

Concreting in posts on both sides would certainly simplify things. If you were to tie things in with the verandah, then the structure would need to be assessed and potentially modified. Keeping things separate would remove the need for this.

Either metal or wooden posts should work as long as they are anchored correctly according to the recommendations of a suitably licenced person.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[bschebella1]

Thanks Jacob,

Now I can start thinking about a plan.

Cheers

Barry