Phoenix 16.5' Professional Square Sun Shade Sail Desert Sand Color, Includes All Mounting Hardware

I bought this sun shade ('square' sail) to mount on to 4inch steel pole posts. There are lots of instructions onthe internet on how to select strong enough mounting points. The sand colored sail itself looks good - nice color, blends inwith natural tones, sturdy looking cloth thickness, let's in a little light so there's good shade but still distinctlynot dark. We tightened the sail (and it needs a LOT of stretching to get to the 18.5' size) by wrapping the ropeback and forth from the sail to the mounting ring and cinching it up like a pulley. Then we clipped in ourown hardware. (The included stainless turnbuckle is beautiful, but not rated and not necessary).On other reviews of similar products, people complain that wrinkles remain. This only had slight waves in a coupleareas when we were done tightening - but AFTER A DAY IN THE SUN the fabric redistributed itself to be TAUT ANDBEAUTIFUL ALL AROUND. It also evened up the final shape (kind of star-like, not an actual square). We did mountit in the hypar as pictured in the image, and the edges also settled to a nice even curve. BTW, that image is totallyphotoshopped - advertising lameness on a good product. Not the shade is not quite as deep as pictured.Overall a great price for a great product. Easier to put up than we expected. Tip: use the pulley idea that we used andyou don't have to be a strongman to do the tightening. Another tip : use long ropes, so someone on the groundcan help hold the tightened sail in position while you have 2 hands free to do the clipping. We got our ownhardware because we wanted the setup to be rated to higher wind forces. I hope the UV protection will make itlast at least a while in our powerful sun.

I installed this on the west side of my home, straight to the house on two corners and to (2) 4x6 posts that I buried 4' in the ground.The only complaint I have is the seam. I like symmetry, and I expected if there was going to be a seam, that it would be straight down the middle of the shade. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The seam is offset several feet from the center and I just don't like the way it looks from underneath. This isn't a deal breaker, so I installed it and will just live with the consequences.The nylon ropes they provide to install the shade are kind of a joke. I realized quickly that I needed something a little stronger, and opted for some chain I picked up at the hardware store. All the rest of the hardware is quite good.I made a mistake in installation that was my fault, but I kinda wish the instruction manual warned against it. I installed the two posts too close together, so the distance between the wall and post is longer than between the two posts themselves. When adding tension to the shade, the sides pull tight, but the front between the two poles is left just a little saggy. It's not terrible, but if I had it to do over again, I would correct it.Overall, it's what I was looking for and I'm happy with the quality of the shade.

We spent big money purchasing the black filter material used by nurseries for shady plants. We had it bound and would lower it half way down our pergola. It was a hassle to always be lifting it up and down. We found these sun sails and it solved all of our problems. I love the look and it certainly keeps the sun out. We can sit outdoors without having the sun in our eyes.....

The sun shade is a good quality and strong. I made a mistake by anchoring the sail to two 4x4 treated posts set in concrete at the outer area of our deck. A strong wind came up when we were gone and broke both posts off at the ground area. The ancors screwed to the roof remained intact which I thought would pull out before the posts would break. Next time {in the spring} I will anchor to 3" metal posts set in cancrete and then the wind will probally pull the anchors out of the roof. The sail gaves us great shade in the summer and we really like it.

Have had this since 2011 and for the most part have kept it up. It looks fantastic and everyone that comes over goes crazy about it. Then they are shocked when I tell them what a great price it is!! It has withstood bad winds with no problems and still looks great after all this time. We ordered a different brand for my father in law because he needed a different size. It was not as good quality and he had to replace it already. If you have a large area to cover you can't go wrong with this!!!