How to install a shade sail

Measure the length of the sail and mark out the position for the posts using brightly-coloured spray paint. To figure out where your posts should go, add 10 percent to the overall length of your shade sail.

Using a shovel, dig footing holes of 400mm square and 800mm deep at the marked points.

Put on your safety glasses, gloves and dust mask before pouring 100mm of gravel into each hole, making up the base of the footings.

Place a post in one of the holes at a five-degree angle.

Use a level to make sure the post is at the correct angle.

Support the post using timber and clamps until it sets.

Now it’s time to mix the concrete. Pour the mix into a wheelbarrow.

Add water to the concrete little by little, while continuing to mix, until you have the right consistency. Pour the concrete in the hole.

Repeat steps 7 and 8 for each post.

Once the concrete has set, it’s time to install the shade sail. Decide how far down the post you want to hang the sail and measure this equally on each post using a tape measure. Mark your spot in the middle of each post with a permanent marker. Pre-drill through all the marked posts before attaching your anchors. 

Attach the anchor fitting through the holes of one post and then tighten using a spanner.  

Now that the eyelets are in, attach the turnbuckle onto the eyelet. Hook the shade sail on and tighten. 

Once your sail is up, add some colour to your posts with a coat of paint.