Sail shade installation in Exeter
Professional sail shade installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-210
Typical Duration
2-4 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Sun sail installed properly - tensioned right, mounted securely. Provides shade without sagging or flapping about.
Stylish Garden Shade Done Right
A properly installed sail shade transforms a sunny garden into usable space. But one that sags in the middle or flaps in the wind looks terrible and won't last.
I install garden sail shades across Exeter - tensioned correctly and mounted to walls, posts, or poles so they're taut, secure, and actually look good.
Why Proper Installation Matters
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Taut fabric, elegant lines | Sagging middle, pooling water |
| Secure fixings, stable in wind | Flapping, tearing at corners |
| Correct drainage angle | Water pooling, fabric stretching |
| Clean mounting points | Visible messy hardware |
What You Get
🔧 Strong Anchor Points
Each corner fixed securely to wall, post, or pole with heavy-duty eye bolts and fixings.
📦 Proper Tensioning
Turnbuckles at each corner let me get the sail properly taut. Slight curve is fine, sagging middle is not.
✅ Weather Resistant
Angled for water runoff (sails shouldn't pool water). Positioned to handle Devon's wind.
💡 Pro tip: Install sail shades with a slight slope so rainwater runs off. A flat sail will pool water and stretch the fabric.
Pricing Guide
| Installation | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small sail (3x3m, existing posts) | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-135 |
| Medium sail (4x4m, wall mounting) | 2.5-3 hrs | £135-160 |
| Large sail (5x5m) or multiple sails | 3-4 hrs | £160-210 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. If new posts needed, that's additional work.
Common Setups
Between House & Fence:
- Two corners to house wall
- Two corners to fence posts
- Creates covered patio area
Between Posts:
- All four corners to dedicated posts
- Freestanding shade anywhere in garden
- Posts need concreting in (separate job)
Multi-Sail Coverage:
- Overlapping sails for larger areas
- Each sail needs separate mounting
- Takes longer but looks impressive
Why Choose Us for Sail shade installation in Exeter?
Properly tensioned for weather resistance
Secure mounting to walls or posts
Advice on best positioning
Clean installation, tidy finish
What to Expect
Step 1: Plan the Layout
I'll check your proposed anchor points are suitable, measure distances, and confirm the sail will fit properly. Mark fixing positions.
Step 2: Install Fixings
Drill and fit eye bolts to walls or posts. Each corner gets turnbuckles for adjustment and tensioning.
Step 3: Attach & Tension
Clip the sail to each corner, then progressively tension it until it's taut with the right angle for drainage. Test it's secure.
🔧 DIY Tips
🔧 Can you install a sail shade yourself?
It's doable if you're handy:
Tools you'll need:
- Drill with masonry bits (for wall mounting)
- Heavy-duty eye bolts and fixings
- Turnbuckles for tensioning
- Ladder
- Someone to help (sails are awkward)
Getting it right:
- Measure twice - sail corners need to align with anchor points
- Slope it slightly - 15-20 degree angle for water runoff
- Use turnbuckles - essential for getting proper tension
- Start loose - attach all corners first, then tension gradually
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes:
- Mounting too flat (water pools)
- Using inadequate fixings (pulls out in wind)
- Over-tensioning (tears the fabric)
- Not accounting for sail stretch (fabric stretches when wet)
💡 Pro trick: Attach the highest corner first, then work down to the lowest. Makes it easier to get the drainage angle right.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Positioning matters. Track the sun across your garden before deciding placement. You want shade when you actually use the space - usually afternoon/evening in a British garden.
Take it down for winter. Even good quality sails last much longer if stored dry over winter. Install with clips for easy removal.
Posts need concrete. If you don't have suitable anchor points, you'll need posts installing. That's a separate job - digging, concreting, waiting for it to cure before the sail goes up.
Old walls? Exeter's older properties have great thick walls for mounting. Modern houses with cavity walls need longer fixings, but it's all doable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you attach sail shades?
Usually to three or four anchor points - your house wall, fence posts, or dedicated poles. Each corner needs a strong fixing with tension hardware to pull the sail taut. The key is getting the tension right so it doesn't sag or flap in wind.
Can you install it to my house wall?
Yes, as long as it's brick or block. I'll use heavy-duty eye bolts into the wall, then attach turnbuckles for tensioning. Won't damage your wall beyond the fixing holes, which are hidden behind the sail anyway.
Do I need to buy the sail first?
Yes - there are loads of options online (size, colour, shape). Measure your space first or I can advise on sizing when I visit. You supply the sail, I install it properly.
How long does a sail shade last?
Good quality ones last 5-8 years if you take them down for winter. UV and wind gradually weaken the fabric. Cheaper ones might only last 2-3 years. Worth buying decent quality if it's a permanent feature.
Should I take it down in winter?
Recommended, yes. Devon winters are windy and wet. Even the best sails last longer if stored dry over winter. Takes 10 minutes to unhook if it's installed with clips.
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