Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on setting up a retractable sun shade over my garden, measuring 20'x30'. I'm in southwestern PA, and the shade fabric is 50% so it allows some airflow. My plan is to install 4x4 pressure-treated posts, cut to 5 feet tall and set 3 feet deep, using Fast 2K footers. I'll attach the shade with 6" stainless forged eye bolts and weave 1/8-3/8" stainless wire rope through the grommets for adjustability. My main concern is whether this setup will hold up during windy conditions. Does anyone have suggestions for improvements or additional precautions? Thanks!
2 Answers
That shade is pretty big, and I think you might want to consider using 6x6 posts instead of 4x4s, buried at least 4 feet deep in concrete. The stress from a cover this size can pull on the posts pretty hard, especially in high winds. I did some research on similar projects, and there are plenty of stories about posts bending or coming loose, so just be cautious!
Are you able to share a picture of your garden? I’m curious to see how it looks and might steal your ideas for my own setup!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely look into using 6x6 posts for extra stability.