How to Install a Turn Button Roll-Up Shade Kit

October 27, 2026

How to Install a Turn Button Roll-Up Shade Kit

Installing your turn button roll-up shade kit is easier when you know what’s coming before you start. This guide walks you through the full installation, from mounting the awning rail to routing the ropes and installing the rope cleat.

Take a few minutes to read through the entire guide before beginning. A little preparation makes the installation go much faster.

What Comes in Your Turn Button Roll-Up Kit

Your kit includes:

Custom shadecloth panel, hemmed and sized for your opening
Spline sewn into the top edge so the shade slides into the awning rail
3-inch pocket sewn into the bottom for a pipe
Awning rail for mounting the roll-up to your header
Turn button washers installed in the fabric
Turn buttons for securing the sides of the shade
Rope sized for your roll-up
D-rings for tying off the ropes
Pull ball
Rope cleat
Pulleys appropriate for the width of your roll-up
Installation instructions

What You Will Need to Supply

You will need:

Drill
Mounting screws appropriate for your surface
Level
Sharpie or marking pencil
Bottom pipe for weighting the shade

For roll-ups approximately 10 feet wide and under, I generally recommend 1-inch electrical conduit for the bottom pipe.

For larger roll-ups, chain-link fence top rail is another good option.

Mounting screws are not included because the correct screw depends on whether you are mounting into wood, vinyl, metal, masonry, or another surface.

[IMAGE: Insert a close-up photo of the turn buttons/pulleys/hardware here.]

Step 1 — Mount the Awning Rail

The awning rail runs across the top of the opening and holds the top edge of your shadecloth.

You can mount the rail on the face of the header or underneath it, depending on your installation.

Before attaching it permanently:

Position the rail where you want it.
Use a level to make sure it is straight.
Mark your screw locations.
Secure the rail using screws appropriate for your mounting surface.

Take your time with this step. If the top rail is not level, the shade may not hang or roll evenly.

Step 2 — Slide the Shade Into the Awning Rail

The spline sewn into the top of your shadecloth slides directly into the awning rail.

Start at one end of the rail and carefully feed the spline into the track.

A flat screwdriver can help guide the spline into the opening if needed.

Work the shade across the rail gradually. Avoid bunching or forcing the fabric.

Once the shade is centered and positioned correctly, secure the ends of the awning rail so the shade cannot slide back out.

Step 3 — Install the Bottom Pipe

Cut your bottom pipe to fit the width of your ordered shade.

Slide the pipe into the sewn pocket along the bottom edge of the shade.

Make sure the pipe runs the full width of the shade and sits evenly inside the pocket.

For best results, the bottom pipe should have enough weight to help the shade hang straight without being excessively heavy.

Step 4 — Position the Turn Buttons

Pull the shade down so it hangs straight, but do not stretch it overly tight.

Starting with the upper turn button locations:

Hold the shade where you want it.
Mark the position of the first turn button.
Install the turn button.
Move to the matching position on the opposite side.
Continue working your way down the shade, alternating from side to side.

This helps keep the shade square while you install the hardware.

Your turn buttons should hold the fabric securely without pulling the shade excessively tight.

Step 5 — Secure the Top

Once all of the turn buttons are installed and the shade is hanging square, install the retaining screws at the ends of the awning rail.

These screws keep the spline from sliding back out of the rail.

Step 6 — Mount the Pulleys

Decide which side of the roll-up you want the ropes to operate from.

Most installations use:

One pulley near each outer edge of the shade
An additional middle pulley on wider roll-ups

Mount the pulleys above the shade so the ropes can travel smoothly without rubbing against the structure.

[IMAGE: Insert a close-up or finished photo showing the pulley positions here.]

Step 7 — Install the D-Rings

Mount the D-rings on the back or bottom edge of the header.

Position them in line with the ropes that will lift the shade.

You do not want the D-rings directly at the outer edge of the shade. Position them where the rope naturally travels toward the pulleys.

Step 8 — Run the Ropes

Your kit will normally use two or three lifting ropes depending on the width of your shade.

Each rope begins near the bottom of the shade, travels upward through the pulley system, and then runs toward the side where the pull rope will be operated.

For a two-rope system:

The first rope travels through its pulley and continues through the remaining pulley before coming down at the operating side.
The second rope travels through its pulley and then joins the first rope at the operating side.

For wider shades with a center rope, repeat the same process with the center pulley.

Before trimming any rope, make sure the shade raises evenly.

Step 9 — Join the Ropes at the Pull Ball

With the shade lowered, bring all of the rope ends together.

Feed them through the pull ball.

Make sure all ropes are even so one side of the shade does not lift before the other.

Tie the ropes securely below the pull ball.

Once you are satisfied with the adjustment, trim any excess rope and carefully seal the rope ends so they do not unravel.

Step 10 — Install the Rope Cleat

Mount the rope cleat on the post, wall, or other convenient surface near the operating side of the shade.

Position it where you can comfortably reach it when raising and lowering the roll-up.

When the shade is raised, wrap the rope securely around the cleat to hold the shade in place.

A Few Installation Tips

The most important parts of the installation are keeping the awning rail level and making sure the shade is square before installing all of the turn buttons.

I recommend installing the shade slightly loose rather than extremely tight.

Shadecloth is very durable, but it can have a small amount of shrinkage over time. Installing it too tightly can make the turn buttons harder to use later.

Also make sure the edges of your bottom pipe are smooth. Sharp pipe edges can eventually wear against the fabric.

Need Help With Your Installation?

Every installation is a little different.

If you have questions about mounting locations, shade size, pulley placement, or something unusual about your opening, feel free to contact me before you start drilling holes.

I’d rather help you figure it out first than have you install something in the wrong place.

Contact us for help with your roll-up shade installation.