How to Install Shade Cloth Fabric

Installing Shade Cloth Fabric over a pergola or arbor like a pro.

If you are looking 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 you 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)

You start with a Pergola, Arbor or some type of structure you wish to cover with the shade cloth.

 

Roll out your shade cloth across your structure and loosely pull it into position.   Leave at least 8-12 inches of overhang on all sides.

 

Attach shade cloth to one of the longest sides first (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".

 

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. For a stronger joint you can use a pinch pleat to join the two sections of shade fabric.

Now tack down the shade cloth to any interior support beams if required.

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

Shade cloth has many uses. In addition to using shade cloth on a pergola, it can be used to add privacy by attaching it to a fence, as a dog run cover, window shades. You can even use it as a vertical shade so you can enjoy your deck or patio as the sun sets in the West.

Vertical Patio Screen

Vertical Patio Screen Closed

Privacy Screen

Privacy Fence

Coolaroo Shade Cloth