Start along with your area. When choosing the place of your shade sail, ensure it’s safe. Avoid setting up a shade sail over hot surfaces, akin to a fire pit, and away from tree branches that may damage it. Determine what time of day you’ll be applying your shade sail the most, then go outside at that time and note where the shadows are being cast using rope as a visible aid helps. For example, if your goal is to hide the external patio furnishings so you can sip on a tumbler of wine after work, with out the sun being to your eyes, then you may not want to install your shade sail directly over the patio furniture.

Instead, you may also want to offset the sail to take advantage of the shade being cast.