How to DIY Install Deck Canopy Sun Shades

This post will show you how to install your own sun shade sails over a back deck as you can see in the photo below. These deck sun shades add some much needed shade and cooling to your very sunny back deck. If you want to check out more details on the redwood deck, that post is here. Or the black hogwire railings here.

Ok, let’s get to installing these much needed deck sun shades!

Sail-Type Waterproof Sun Shades:

There are many shapes and types of sun shades to choose from. I researched options on Amazon.com and spent some time on the deck thinking about how I wanted a shade layout to look. Of course, I could have just bought an umbrella! But I want the deck space to feel free and open. So canopy sail deck sun shades it is!

In the end, rectangular shades 10 feet long x 8 feet wide worked best and easiest for this layout. This size will allow me to place two shades over the deck and have one shade over the stairs and the walkway. Three shades will basically shade the hole back wall of the house. Hopefully that will help cut down on our energy use too.

Because the sun can be a bit brutal on the back deck, I opted for a shade with 95% UV blocking made of solid polyester. The shade is basically water proof. I’m hoping a solid fabric option will be more durable then a woven fabric. But I’m just guessing here. I’ll update this post after a few years to share how long these shades last.

It does not rain here in the summer, so no worries about pooling water on the shades. If you want to use this in a rainy climate, just make sure they are angled to drain and very taught so you don’t get any pooling on the shades.

Another option for sun shades is a woven breathable fabric made of high density polyethylene. This Amazon.com listing says they also provide 95% shade rating. I might try these types once the ones I bought wear out. But I’m concerned the woven poly might degrade and leave microplastics everywhere….so I opted out of that option for now. I’m not an expert in this, so let me know in the comments below if you have some insights on wear of woven polyethylene shades.

Canopy Deck Sun Shade Connection at House:

We’ll need some sort of hook to tie the deck sun shades to at the house. I opted for the stainless steel diamond pad eye plates you can see in the photo below. I connected them with small exterior screws to the rafters that aligned at the corners of the deck shades. They eye plate is part of a stainless steel canopy kit on Amazon.com that has a bunch of connection options for shades.

Below is an installed eye plate on the bottom of a rafter. I only used two screws centered on the rafter.

Sun Shade Metal Pole Support:

This next part shows you how I made some support poles for the deck sun shades along the deck guardrail. I want the poles to look small and elegant. 3/4 inch diameter galvanized conduit pipe that is typically used for electrical projects were low cost and seemed like a great fit. So I picked three 10 foot long pipes from Home Depot.

Next, I want to paint these pipes black to match the deck railing. Below are the three galvanized pipes about to get painted.

A simple Rust-Oleum spray paint works great for metal. I just sprayed this all over the pipes. Let them dry, rolled them slightly, and sprayed some more until they were fully painted.

Next, we need an eye bolt in the pipe so we can attach the deck sun shades. To do that, I drilled a 3/8 inch diameter hole with a drill bit near the top of the pipes. Start with small drill and work up to the 3/8 inch diameter. Below is a photo of my drilled hole. You might have to touch up some paint. Or maybe better yet, wait until you’ve drilled these holes to paint, ha! I just didn’t think of that.

Below is my eye bolt setup with rubber washers to help grip the pipe plus galvanized washers and nuts each side of the pipe. I found the washers and nuts at a local hardware store, but Amazon.com also sells a cool rubber washer kit.

Now, just connect the eye bolt through the pipe hole. Below is a photo of my installed eye bolt. I’m pretty pleased with how these turned out. You could also paint these black if you want!

Connect Metal Pole to Deck:

Remember the poles are actually 3/4 inch diameter metal conduit? Well below is a photo of what’s called “conduit clamps” that help attach the conduit, or poles, to various things. They work great here to attach my black poles to the deck guardrail. Naturally, I spray painted these black as well.

Because of the way my railing is built, I need to drill a small hole for the canopy poles. Below is a photo of the 1″ diameter hole drill. I wanted a little wiggle room so I went a bit larger than the pole size.

The drill is from a Dewalt hole saw kit seen the photo below. This has come in handy so many times. Check out a custom wood countertop I did with holes for electric wires using this same set.

I cleaned up the curved ends with a Japanese pull saw. It’s fine teeth make for a smoother cut.

Then I simply installed the poles at the deck posts. Below is the post sitting in the newly cut hole.

Two brackets provide enough support for the canopy deck poles. You can see the two backets on the deck post in the photo below.

Here is a photo looking up the pole.

Hang Sun Shades:

Finally, it’s time to hang the canopy deck sun shades! They come with string to tie each end and connect the corners to either a pole or the rafter eye plate.

Below is the first canopy in place. I need to tighten it up a bit still so it doesn’t droop so much. The string ends allow you to adjust the shade a bit. Take your time and be patient.

Below is a photo of the finished canopy deck sun shades! The very last end canopy has a rope that attaches to a tree.

Here is a view looking the other way. I really love the added shade and the fact that there is still so much room for activity on the deck!

One more photo with the sun. Yes, my next project will be to re-stain the deck. Stay tuned. I’ll be sure to share my favorite deck stain. It’s one that doesn’t chip under heavy sun.

Add String Solar Lights:

Last but not least, let’s install some solar string lights. I have all these connections already in place, so why not? The string lights I had on hand were long enough to form a simple V-shape over the deck. So that’s what I did.

Below are the string lights in action! Now I actually want to use this deck during the day AND into the night.

Another evening photo. These lights are really fun. So, I guess now I should get some comfy deck furniture, a grill, and have a party.