Installing Your Natural Coconut Fiber Shade Sail
Easy 7-Step Shade Sail Installation Guide
We have created this 7 step install guide to help you through the challenges & solutions we have encountered over the years of installing our coconut fibre sails.
Our shade sails can be hung from secure, existing or new structures like:
- Pergolas and trellises
- Mature trees
- Wood, bamboo or steel posts
- Exterior walls, fences & beams
We strongly recommend working with a contractor or professional installer to ensure all anchor points can safely support the tension and load of the shade sail.
Pro tip: share this guide with your installer before installation so they can plan ahead.
Please feel free to use the chat tool on our website or email us info@cocodusol.com
Pre- Install tips
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Planning Before Your Shade Arrives
Before your Coco Du Sol coconut shade sail arrives, we strongly recommend that you do not install permanent posts or fixing points. Final post locations/ fixing points best to be confirmed using the actual shade sail.
We provide drawings for layout & design intent only, please do not prepare posts before laying out the shade sail to fully understand the fixing points and angles required.
Installing posts prematurely may result in incorrect alignment, poor tensioning, or sagging that can be difficult to correct later.
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Important Pre-Installation
Before installing your shade sail (1–2 days before installation):
- Remove packaging & layout on a flat surface outside.
- Wet the coconut fiber shade with a garden hose so the coconut fibers are wet.
- Allow it to fully dry. (in hotter climates the shade sail is dry within a few hours).
This allows the shade to fully flatten on a flat surface removing the fold creases and helps pre-tighten the coconut fibre weaves. While not mandatory, this step is highly recommended for achieving the best possible final appearance.
- Remove packaging & layout on a flat surface outside.
Installation Steps - 1 to 7
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Step 1 — Layout and Positioning
Start by laying your shade sail flat on the ground in the exact position and orientation you plan to install it in the final hanging position.
Pay close attention to the direction/ angle of the corner eyelets. These should point toward your intended fixing points (using some mason construction line this can help you find your points). Keeping these at a 45 degree angle will prevent uneven tension and sagging.
If using existing fixing points, confirm alignment before installation.
If installing new fixing points or posts, measure directly from the actual shade sail rather than relying solely on drawings or recommended dimensions.
Please allow space for your hardware (see below Step 2 for our suggestions).
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Step 2 — Select and Install Fixing Points
Proper spacing between the shade sail and fixing point is essential for tensioning.
We recommend a minimum distance of 18 inches (457 mm) from the shade sail eyelet to the post, with a preferred range of 18–22 inches (457–558 mm).
Cool Tip: From experience its easier to tension a shade with extra spacing vs not having enough distance to pull the shade sail tighter.
Hardware: For proper installation, we recommend using turnbuckles, carabiner clips, aircraft cable & wire clamps (stainless steel for best long term wear) at each corner connection point.
This hardware allows the shade sail to be securely tensioned and adjusted ensuring the coconut fibre sails remains taut and stable over time. The turnbuckle provides the ability to fine-turn and re-tighten the sail if needed.
All of our hardware we have tried and tested to make the install as easy as possible. All the items we offer in our online store are also generally available at your local hardware store.
Our turn buckles which fit our eyelets are 8 1/2'' closed length (min length) up to 13 1/2'' extended length (max length).
Avoid using open hooks of any kind. Open hooks may unhook during high winds. We recommend using carabiner-style hooks with a locking clip or fully closed-loop fixings to ensure secure attachment.
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Step 3 — Post Height Guidelines
Coconut shade sails are naturally heavier than other material alternatives. When suspended they naturally will hang 18- 24'' plus, lower than the fixing point.
We recommend a minimum post height of 9 feet (2.7 m), with 10 feet (3.0 m) being ideal (especially for the larger sizes (10'x13' & 10'x16'.)
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Step 4 — Structural & Engineering Considerations
Posts suggestion: should be a minimum of 4 inches in diameter/ width and must be securely set into appropriately sized concrete footings.
A structural engineer or professional installer should be consulted. Coconut shade sails can vary in weight depending on size and will double in weight when wet. This must be considered for all fixing points off posts, existing structures or trees.
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Step 5 — Temporary Installation for Positioning
Before installing final stainless steel hardware, we recommend temporarily hanging the shade using rope, thick string, or similar material. This allows the shade to be tensioned and positioned as intended. Adjust heights, angles, and alignment until you are satisfied before proceeding with permanent fixings.
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Step 6 — Final Installation Hardware System
For final installation, we recommend stainless steel aircraft cable, stainless steel wire clamps, carabiner clips, and turnbuckles.
Coco Du Sol turnbuckles feature one closed loop and one hook side, which hooks directly onto the shade eyelet. This system has proven reliable in high-wind conditions, does not unhook, and allows easy installation and removal when required.
Open the turnbuckle to extended length before hanging this will ease hooking the eyelets. Once attached you can tighten the turnbuckles to the desired tension.
Over tightening the shade sail may damage the fixing coconut fibre points due to the force created from the hardware tension.
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STEP 7 — Final touches
For a fully natural appearance, Coco Du Sol offers coconut fibre rolls that can be woven around stainless steel cables, turnbuckles, and fixings to conceal hardware while maintaining structural integrity.
If you have any questions or require assistance at any stage of installation, please feel free to email or call us. We are always happy to help ensure a safe, secure, and beautifully installed Coco Du Sol shade.
info@cocodusol.com
Cool Tip: Seasonal Adjustment & Removal Turnbuckles allow the shade sail to be re-tensioned seasonally as fibres naturally relax.
They also allow the shade to be easily removed during periods of snow, high winds, heavy rain, or increased fire risk, without cutting or damaging fixings.