What Your Shadecloth Order Is Actually Made Of

Every custom shadecloth order that leaves our shop is built from the same handful of materials, and I'd rather you know exactly what those are before you buy than find out after. Below is what we actually use, piece by piece, and why we use it.

85% Shadecloth

Made in the USA from 100% virgin polyethylene (HDPE), UV stabilized. It won't mold, mildew, or rot. It's made with a lock stitch construction, which means you can cut the fabric and it won't unravel on you. It's a lightweight, durable mesh that blocks visual intrusion, cuts down on passerby attraction, and hides unsightly areas, so it works well for backyard privacy, property line fences, and as a wind screen. It's reusable, easy to store, and cleans up with just soap and water. It carries a 5 year UV warranty.

I'll tell you the truth about it too. Shadecloth has a natural looseness and stretch to it, so sizing can vary slightly during manufacturing. We do our best to hit your exact dimensions, but a variance of up to 1 inch in any direction is normal. The fabric is UV protected but it does shrink 1-3% over time. That's just normal for this grade of material, not a defect.

Plastic Grommets

Made from polypropylene (PP) or PVC. They install easily on-site, no special tools needed. They're strong, wear-resistant, and hold up well against weather. They won't rust or leave stains, and they have no sharp edges. They work with all kinds of materials, and textiles. We use them on shadecloth, but they also show up in tarps, coverings, agriculture, nursery gardens, camping and boating gear.

Mounting Rail

This is a polished anodized aluminum awning track built to secure fabric to a hard surface, it's very strong and durable. It installs by drilling holes for screws approx every 12 inches through the center of the track, with at least one screw near each end. It ships in roughly 2 foot lengths for shipping purposes, but if you arrange to pick up in person, we may be able to get you longer pieces. Any of our products that mount with this rail have a rubber spline sewn into the screen. That spline is left loose and extra long in the seam until the screen is mounted and pulled tight, then you can trim off the excess if you want.

Turn Buttons

The Common Sense turn button with a two-hole plate gives you the convenience of a turn button with the strength of a screw application. It's rust-resistant, nickel-plated brass, and it looks good as a fastener option on the shadecloth material. It works well with upholstery fabric and marine canvas too. The plate fastens cloth together, or cloth to a hard surface. You'll see it used on boat covers, boat seats, outdoor fabric, tents, and awnings. Height on this one is 0.683 inches.

Ball Bungees

These are bungee cords with a ball on the end, and that ball gives you constant tension and a firm hold. They work well for tents, tarps, canopies, shadecloth, and canopy shelters. They're weather resistant, built to stand up to the toughest environments outdoors, and they keep their resilience and tensile strength without fraying or slackening over time.

Thread — PremoBond® Thread Bonded Polyester

In this industry, even the thread has to hold up to rough conditions. PremoBond has anti-wicking and mildew-resistant properties, so it's built for high-moisture settings. Its UV dye and bonding process keep the color from fading and bleeding. It's a continuous filament, bonded polyester, and it comes in 30% stronger than industry standard.

Rope — Neobraid® Polyester Cord, 1/8" Black

This is a 100% high-strength polyester cord that does well in awning applications and works as a good all-purpose, industrial cord too. The patented construction holds up over years of weather and sun, and it won't kink, twist, or fray. It also resists mold, oil, and stains.

Wall Mount Pulleys

Constructed of zinc plated iron, which improves corrosion resistance and gives it good hardness and bearing capacity, so it holds up over the long haul. It's designed with 6 screw holes, so it installs more solidly than a lot of the traditional single-hole pulleys out there. It's built for wire, rope, cord, or rigging up to about 3/8" in diameter, with a capacity of 190kg, or 420lbs, which covers most jobs. It's 3 x 2-1/5 inches, and you can mount it on wood, concrete, or metal, indoors or out, for homes, farms, builders, or industrial use.

Awning Cleat — #1 4-1/2" Zinc Die-Cast

This is a rope cleat, made from durable zinc die-cast, built strong for outdoor use. It's what you use to easily secure your rope or cord once it's pulled tight. Works well for awning applications, and also gets used on curtains, boats, and other jobs. The rope cleat runs 4-1/2 inches long. Just know it comes without the #8 wood screw, so you'll need to grab those separately.

D-Ring Tie Down

Rated for a 200lb load capacity. Made of high quality metal, strong and durable, with a powder coated surface that keeps corrosion and rust away. Ring inner diameter runs 20mm (0.79 inch), total length is 36mm (1.4 inch), and the installation hole is 4.5mm (0.18 inch). It's a versatile piece, this D-type anchor attaches to all kinds of rope and chain for securing cargo on bicycles, quads, motorcycles, caravans, and more. Built to hold up outdoors for the long haul without breaking down.

These are the main products you will find in your shadecloth order. If you're wondering what's holding your shadecloth up or keeping it in place, now you know.

Hope that answers your questions. Thanks, Tracy