A guide about how to install shade cloth

There's no denying that plants love the sun. And who can blame them? Sometimes there's nothing better than being sprawled out in the backyard, soaking up those golden rays. But time in the shade is even more essential - for you and your garden.

As with a lot of things, it's all about finding the perfect balance. Spend too much time in the sun, and things take a turn for the worse. Where your plants are concerned, that can mean ongoing damage, barren plant boxes, and a hard time keeping the garden from turning into a wasteland over summer.

That's where Agfabric shade cloth, gazebos, shade cloth with grommets,umbrellas and other shade structures play a vital role.

Shade cloth can be great for the garden, by offering plants some respite from the heat. But they can also benefit you - the gardener - by offering a range of distinct positives too.

Here are some basic steps on how to install shade cloth to your pergola so you can enjoy your deck or patio even more.

Before you start you'll need the following tools:

A hammer

Tape measure

Safety goggles

Fabric cutter

 90% Sunscreen Shade Cloth, Wheat

Installation accessories

1. Roll out the fabric across your structure and loosely pull it into position, leaving about 300mm (12”) overhang all around.
2. Fix one of the longer edges first, or the edge closest to your house. Start at one end, applying medium tension as you move along.
3. Now fix one of the shorter edges, then another long edge, and finish by fixing the other short edge.
4. Make sure the knitted lines in  fabric are straight.
5. Remember to fix the  fabric slightly in from the edge of each beam or post.
6. Fix to any middle or intermediate supports last.
7. Now, neatly trim off all the edges, using the cutter.
8. For wide spans that require joining two rolls edge-wise, try not to overlap the cloth if possible. Join them together across the beam and fix every 450mm (18”).
9. Congratulations! Now with your shade fabric installed, you can enjoy your outdoor space. Stand back and admire your handiwork.