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Helpful
Shade Cloth D.I.Y. Tips
- Alnet
shade cloth comes in 3m widths.
- Scalloping
may be made by shaping a template out of cardboard, placing this over
the shade
cloth and cutting the material with a soldering iron.
- Galvanized
ring shank nails may be used instead of ordinary nails and cover-strip
or half
rounds in any of the designs.
- A
staple gun is a useful tool for affixing shade cloth to
wood.
Do's
and Don'ts of Shade Cloth D.I.Y.Do's
- Keep
the shade cloth straight when pulling it taut across any structure.
It has a natural pattern which can be used as a guide.
- Tension
large pieces of shade cloth. A tip is to tack one end evenly onto a
length of cover strip
and roll. Firmly affix the other end to your structure and tension by
unrolling evenly.
- Cut
shade cloth with a soldering iron and straight edge. The
heat has the effect of sealing
the edges which might otherwise fray.
- Wash
shade cloth with water and any standard detergent when necessary.
- Make
a double seam when sewing two pieces of shade cloth together.
- Buy
slightly longer pieces of timber and cut to size if the lengths specified
are not available.
- Use
Alnet's monofilament to stitch pieces of shade cloth
together. Alternatively get some other thread or twine - like black
polyester - which is resistant to sunlight.
Don'ts
- Don't
use ordinary cotton thread to stitch shade cloth as it will deteriorate
in the sunlight.
- Don't
try and glue shade cloth; it simply won't stick.
- Don't
treat poles with creosote as it breaks down the molecular
structure of the shade
cloth
- If
an existing structure has already been creosoted, use a cover-strip
between the pole and
shade cloth to protect it.
- Don't
allow direct contact between steel and shade cloth when using the material
on a steel structure. Abrasion and heat can be damaging. Use an insulating
strip such as an old plastic
'thin walled' water pipe.
- Don't
affix shade cloth directly over an open braai as the heat can melt the
shade cloth
For
Complete DIY instructions on the erection
of shade cloth structures, CLICK
HERE..>>
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