Shade cloth, also known as shade fabric, is an ideal solution for creating shade under pergolas and other open air structures, whether they are freestanding or connected to a home or place of business. Many homeowners choose to install shade fabric on their own, rather than hiring a professional installer, because installation is fairly easy and straightforward, as home improvement tasks go.
How to Select Shade Cloth
When choosing shade cloth for your project, be sure to insist on the highest quality fabric. Paying more up front for the best product will save you money in the long run. Inferior fabrics will fade and suffer damage from ultraviolet rays as well as harsh weather conditions. You'll end up paying more later when you have to replace the inferior fabric. Superior shade fabrics should be able to block 90 percent or more of ultraviolet rays, but they should be breathable as well, allowing air to circulate so that the shaded area stays cool. Because of its ability to breathe, shade cloth will not usually be waterproof, but it should be resistant to rot, mildew, and mold. It should also be able to stand up to harsh weather conditions, such as brisk winds, snow, and ice.
Shade fabric is available in a variety of colors and is usually sold in rolls or by the linear yard. When installing this product on a pergola or other open air structure, it's best to purchase the fabric by the roll. The fewer seams you have to worry about during installation will make the process easier, and fewer seams will also give you a cleaner looking result.
Installation Supplies
1. Shade cloth by the roll. Be sure you have enough fabric to cover your structure, plus 25 percent more.
2. Measuring tape. Make sure to measure twice, and cut once.
3. Utility knife, or another sharp cutting tool.
4. Attachment hardware. Ideally, the attachment points should not be visible from underneath the structure. Choose screws, nails, or 1 inch staples.
5. Hammer, drill, or staple gun to attach your choice of hardware.
6. Safety glasses or goggles.
Installation Instructions
1. Unroll the shade cloth across the structure you wish to cover, and pull it carefully into position. Leave 8 to 12 inches or more of overhang on all sides.
2. First, attach the shade fabric using your chosen hardware to one of the longest sides of the structure. Start at one end and pull with medium pressure as you move along the edge. Pulling with medium pressure means pulling out the wrinkles and making the fabric slightly taut. Attach the shade cloth to the structure at roughly every 12 inches.
3. Finish attaching the outside edges of the fabric to your structure, continuing in a counter-clockwise or clockwise direction. Make sure that the knitted knot lines in the fabric remain straight as you work.
4. When attaching the shade cloth along an edge of the structure where excess fabric will need to be cut off, remember to leave enough room between your attachment points and the outer edge so you can easily cut the fabric. To make this happen, move your attachment points farther back from the outer edge of the structure.
5. When joining the edges of two rolls of shade cloth, do not overlap them.
6. Attach the cloth to any interior support beams, if necessary, and carefully cut away the excess shade fabric around the edges using a utility knife or another sharp cutting tool.
Once you've installed your shade fabric, you can enjoy your newly shaded pergola or other open air structure right away.
To view photos of any step in this installation process, visit http://www.mightycovers.com/Patio-Cover/How-2-Cover-Pergola.htm.
How to Select Shade Cloth
When choosing shade cloth for your project, be sure to insist on the highest quality fabric. Paying more up front for the best product will save you money in the long run. Inferior fabrics will fade and suffer damage from ultraviolet rays as well as harsh weather conditions. You'll end up paying more later when you have to replace the inferior fabric. Superior shade fabrics should be able to block 90 percent or more of ultraviolet rays, but they should be breathable as well, allowing air to circulate so that the shaded area stays cool. Because of its ability to breathe, shade cloth will not usually be waterproof, but it should be resistant to rot, mildew, and mold. It should also be able to stand up to harsh weather conditions, such as brisk winds, snow, and ice.
Shade fabric is available in a variety of colors and is usually sold in rolls or by the linear yard. When installing this product on a pergola or other open air structure, it's best to purchase the fabric by the roll. The fewer seams you have to worry about during installation will make the process easier, and fewer seams will also give you a cleaner looking result.
Installation Supplies
1. Shade cloth by the roll. Be sure you have enough fabric to cover your structure, plus 25 percent more.
2. Measuring tape. Make sure to measure twice, and cut once.
3. Utility knife, or another sharp cutting tool.
4. Attachment hardware. Ideally, the attachment points should not be visible from underneath the structure. Choose screws, nails, or 1 inch staples.
5. Hammer, drill, or staple gun to attach your choice of hardware.
6. Safety glasses or goggles.
Installation Instructions
1. Unroll the shade cloth across the structure you wish to cover, and pull it carefully into position. Leave 8 to 12 inches or more of overhang on all sides.
2. First, attach the shade fabric using your chosen hardware to one of the longest sides of the structure. Start at one end and pull with medium pressure as you move along the edge. Pulling with medium pressure means pulling out the wrinkles and making the fabric slightly taut. Attach the shade cloth to the structure at roughly every 12 inches.
3. Finish attaching the outside edges of the fabric to your structure, continuing in a counter-clockwise or clockwise direction. Make sure that the knitted knot lines in the fabric remain straight as you work.
4. When attaching the shade cloth along an edge of the structure where excess fabric will need to be cut off, remember to leave enough room between your attachment points and the outer edge so you can easily cut the fabric. To make this happen, move your attachment points farther back from the outer edge of the structure.
5. When joining the edges of two rolls of shade cloth, do not overlap them.
6. Attach the cloth to any interior support beams, if necessary, and carefully cut away the excess shade fabric around the edges using a utility knife or another sharp cutting tool.
Once you've installed your shade fabric, you can enjoy your newly shaded pergola or other open air structure right away.
To view photos of any step in this installation process, visit http://www.mightycovers.com/Patio-Cover/How-2-Cover-Pergola.htm.