How to Make a Canvas Sun Sail

Sun sails provide shade for outdoor activities and lounging.

Sun sails provide shade in the summer and shelter from the rain for backyard barbeques and family gatherings. A heavy-duty sun sail made out of canvas will last for years and protect against the elements. The sun sail canvas can be designed to fit over a picnic table or in an area that requires shade. Handmade canvas sun sails typically provide a sturdier product than ready-made sails and last much longer.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy canvas
• Canvas tarp glue
• Rope
• Grommet setting kit
• Block of wood
• Carpenter's pencil
• Mallet

Instructions

1. Lay a heavy canvas tarp out flat on the ground.

2. Brush canvas tarp glue from one edge of the canvas about 2 inches to the center. Fold the edge over onto the glue and press it down to adhere. Repeat this step to glue the additional three sides of the canvas.

3. Allow the glue to dry according to the package instructions.

4. Place one corner of the canvas on a block of wood on a sturdy surface. Place a grommet on the corner about 1 inch from each side and trace around it with a carpenter's pencil. Remove the grommet.

5. Center the grommet cutting tool over the mark on the corner. Strike the end of the tool with a mallet to cut a hole in the material.

6. Remove the block of wood. Insert the taller portion of the grommet into the hole from below. Place the die on a flat sturdy surface and align the grommet bottom in the canvas hole on top. The die is the round metal portion of the grommet setting kit with a hole in the center.

7. Press the grommet washer on top of the grommet. The washer is the flat half of the grommet, and it installs with the rounded side up.

8. Tap the die with a mallet with light force then increase pressure until the grommet is set.

9. Repeat these instructions to install a grommet on each of the additional three corners of the canvas.

10. Cut four lengths of about 2 feet of rope. Tie the rope into each corner grommet. Tie the free end of the ropes to support posts, trees or fences to install the sun sail.

Tips & Warnings

• Folding the canvas over and gluing the edges makes the canvas twice as thick so the grommets are sturdy and will not tear the material.

• Use a stainless steel grommet kit to produce a long lasting sun sail. Other metals will eventually rust and cause the canvas to deteriorate.

References

• American Home & Habitat Inc.: Instructions for Grommet Setting Kits

Resources

• Back Yard City: Shade Sails-Installation Tips