How to Install Shade Cloth Fabric

Installing Shade Cloth Fabric Like a Pro

If you would like to add more shade to your pergola, shade cloth is a fairly easy way to accomplish your goal. Below are some basic steps on how to install shade cloth to your pergola so you can enjoy your deck or patio even more.

What you need for the installation:

• Rolled shade cloth to cover area, plus about 25% more
• Hammer
• Tape measure
• Safety goggles
• Box cutters (or a sharp knife or other sharp cutting instrument)
• Attachment hardware: screws, nails, or 1" staples (or a heavy duty staple gun with 3/4" staples or larger)

Heavy Duty Staples	Wood Screws with Washers
Click to Enlarge	Start with a pergola, arbor, or another structure you wish to cover with the shade cloth.
Click to Enlarge	Roll out the shade cloth across your structure and loosely pull it into position. Leave at least 8-12 inches of overhang on all sides.
Click to Enlarge	Attach shade cloth to one of the longest sides first (the edge closest to your house). Start at one end and pull with medium pressure (enough to get the wrinkles out and just a bit more) as you move along the edge.    Attach about every 12".
Click to Enlarge	Now, finish attaching the outside edges, continuing in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction (depending on how you started above). Make sure that the knitted knot lines in the fabric are straight.
	When attaching the shade cloth along an edge of the structure where you'll be cutting the fabric, be sure to move the attachment point in from the outside edge, beam, or post so you leave room to cut the fabric.
	When joining the edges of two rolls of shade cloth, try not to overlap the shade cloth, if possible. Alternate the fixing points on the two edges.
Click to Enlarge	For a stronger joint, you can use a pinch pleat to join the two sections of shade fabric.   (hardly used due to fabrication costs)
Click to Enlarge	Now, tack down the shade cloth to any interior support beams, if required
Click to Enlarge	Trim off all the edges using a box cutter (or other sharp cutting instrument)

Finished Views of Shade Cloth Covered Pergolas and Porches
Covered Pergola	Covered Pergola

Coolaroo Shade Cloth