How to Order a Custom Product

Our Custom Sized Shade Products are made to fit your specifications exactly, eliminating the need to calculate attachment points on your own. With our custom products, you install your posts and other attachment points, take all of the measurements and Shade Sails Canada will make a custom-sized shade solution to fit that space exactly. These articles are written to help you plan and measure your next shade project.

Step 1 – Plan out the area you want to shade

When it comes to installing a shade sail, thoughtful planning is essential. Whether you're shading a patio, deck, or garden, understanding your layout early on ensures the best possible fit and performance. This custom shade sail measurements guide will help you take the right first step by walking you through how to map out your shaded area and understand your attachment point requirements.

Unlike standard shade sails with fixed dimensions, custom shade sails can be designed to your exact specifications—offering far more flexibility and precision. To help visualize the coverage area, try stretching a piece of rope between your proposed anchor points. This simple method gives a clear picture of how much space the shade sail will cover and helps identify ideal mounting locations.

As you plan, there are three key factors to consider:

 

1. Catenary Curve

The edges of a shade sail aren’t perfectly straight—they feature a 7% catenary curve to allow for proper tensioning. This means the lowest point of the curve will dip about 7% of the distance between two attachment points.

Example: If the distance from point A to point B is 10 feet (120 inches), a 7% curve results in an 8.4-inch dip in the middle.

All our tensioned shade sails are manufactured with this standard 7% curve. If you require a different curvature, please contact our office. For more details, visit our FAQ,

 

2. Post Height Variance

We strongly recommend varying the heights of your attachment points. This doesn’t just enhance the aesthetics—it also:

  • Improves water runoff, reducing pooling during rain.

  • Increases wind performance by optimizing tension angles.

  • Allows you to achieve a visually dynamic twist for a modern, clean look.

This step is especially important for custom or multi-point sails where shape control is key.

 

3. Waterproof Considerations

It’s important to note that most shade sail fabrics are not waterproof. Here’s a breakdown of your options:

  • Not Waterproof:

    • Commercial Light

    • Commercial Heavy

    • Dual Colour

    These fabrics allow a fine mist to pass through during rain.

  • Waterproof Option:

    • Select our Waterproof fabric if you require full rain protection.

Choosing the right fabric based on your weather needs will greatly influence the final performance of your sail.


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  • Step 2 – Install & mark your posts/structure

  • Step 3 – Install your attachment hardware (optional)

  • Step 4 – Taking your measurements

  • Step 5 – Submit your measurements

  • Step 6 – Our team will contact you

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