2012年3月25日星期日

Decorate With Triangle Sun Shade Sails


1,Direct your Internet browser to www.aosom.com for ideas, tips and strategies for decorating with sun shade sails.
2,Choose a triangle sun shade sail decorating design you like. Utilizing multiple sails layered over one another at different heights, in varying colors and at different angles will give your design an elegant architectural look with rich texture.
3,Epoxy the metal eye-bolts to the wall or structure that the sails will connect to according to the design you have selected. Make sure that the positioning of the eye-bolts allows for a minimum of 12 inches clearance between overlapping sails to avoid damage to the sails from friction and contact during periods of windy weather.
4,Dig postholes for the metal poles using the posthole digger to execute the design you have chosen. A good rule of thumb to remember is the two-thirds rule, whereby one-third of the length of the pole is buried to lend stability to the other, exposed two-thirds. In other words, make your postholes approximately five feet deep in order that 10 feet of pole be exposed.
5,Place the steel poles into the postholes.
6,Mix the sack concrete according to the bag’s instructions and pour the mixture into the postholes around the steel poles. Be sure to orient the eye-bolts near the top of the pole in the proper direction to allow the sun shade sail canopy to connect to them. Allow the concrete to dry.
7,Connect the pieces of metal chain to the turnbuckles already attached to each corner of the sun shade sails using the metal hooks.
8,Connect the metal hooks on the other end of each piece of chain to the eye-bolts in the steel sun shade sail poles or on the structure according to the decorative configuration you selected for your sails. At this point, the sails will be somewhat slack, as the turnbuckles have yet to be tensioned.
9,Tighten the turnbuckles individually with the wrench to create tension in the sun shade sails. Start by slightly tightening every turnbuckle and then repeat the process in the same order until all the sails are satisfactorily tensioned.

Tips for Raising a Party Tent


Party tents provide shelter from the sun or rain for birthdays, weddings and other special occasions you want to celebrate in the great outdoors. When assembling your tent, make sure to keep it on a flat area and double check all pieces are secure before using it.

Assembling the Top

Before starting assembly of your pop up party tent, it’s important to lay out the pieces and compare them to the instruction manual. Read the instructions for important safety warnings and tips. When assembling the tent, put together the bottom corners and then assemble the top of the frame. This includes building the triangular structures to support the tent and connecting them with the proper poles. Once the top frame is assembled, drape the cover over it and secure it in place. To tie any part of the cover down, insert the cord tie through the holes so it wraps around the support pole from back to front. Then slip the loop of cord over the ball on the end.

Assembling the Base

Once the roof is assembled, add the legs to the frame and secure the cover around them. You’ll need at least two people to hold up the roof while sliding the leg poles into place. Attach the roof to the poles one side at a time instead of lifting the entire piece at once. When you’re finished, the cover of the tent will secure down the sides of the corner poles. It make require more tie ropes, or have attached Velcro pieces that simply wrap around the poles.

Securing the Tent

The last step is to slide the legs into the base supports, which will hold the tent upright. After sliding a leg into the base support, secure it with a screw from the tent kit. Insert the small stakes, usually made of metal, into the holes at the bottom of each base support. If ropes are used to hold the party tent canopy up, secure them at a diagonal angle into the ground using the larger stakes.

2012年3月22日星期四

Install a wooden arc hammock


Try out a wooden arc hammock anytime you want an instant change in attitude from earthbound to cloud visions. Avoid a fall from those pleasant heights by installing your wooden hammock safely.
1,Stand where the breeze blows in your yard and then look for shade or make some. Trees, your porch or any structure – even a suspended beach umbrella – can make plenty of shade.
2,Get a freestanding frame for easiest installation – you can put it wherever you want. Invest in a heavyweight tubular steel frame.
3,Use trees for hammock mounting, but take care – trunks should be at least 6 inches in diameter. Loop nylon rope around the trunk above a crotch to hold it in place, secure it with a hitch knot and then attach the wooden arc hammock or its chains to the rope with a bowline knot.
4,Install poles to make a stable frame anywhere you can dig a hole and pour some concrete. Sink 8-foot-tall, treated 4-by-4 posts into the ground at least 18 inches and space them the length of your hammock plus 1 foot.
5,Use S hooks to shorten your hammock’s chains to a comfortable position and to take up the slack when the wooden arc hammockstretches slightly with use.
6,Add extra lengths of heavy-duty chain to hanging loops if you’ll need to adjust the height frequently to accommodate children.
7,Add finials to top the posts (if you’re using posts), as well as such comforts as a weatherproof pillow, radio and side table and then potted plants at the base of your frame to complete the summer scene.

Hook Triangle Sun Shade Sail to Trees


Many people avoid using their backyards, decks and patios in summer months due to insufficient shade. Installing a triangle sun shade sail over key areas allows you to effectively beat the heat. Also called shade sails, their lightweight material blocks up to 90 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays while still allowing light to pass through. The fabric weave contains tiny spaces that allow the material to breathe, reducing ambient air temperatures significantly when compared to unfiltered direct sun. Attaching a sun sail directly to trees allows you to choose exactly where you want shade.
1,Climb the ladder and use the chalk to make a mark on the tree trunk where you want your triangle sun shade sail to be installed. Make sure it is high enough so people can walk comfortably beneath it. Don’t worry about it being perfect to begin with, as the height can be adjusted later. Measure the height and mark the other trees at the same height.
2,Wrap a bungee cord around the tree once, leaving both ends facing in the direction your sun shade sail will be installed. Wrap a zip tie around the two ends of the bungee cord above the hook. Thread the tail end through the eye and pull until loosely secured. Push the zip tie up close to the tree trunk until there is only room for two fingers between the bungee cord and the tree. Attach bungee cords to the other trees using the same method. Trim the zip tie ends if they are unsightly.
3,Lay your sun sail flat on the ground over the area where shade is desired. Make sure the sun sail is at least 12 inches from each tree to accommodate the attachment hardware. Cut lengths of chain or rope to span any large areas.
4,Slip a snap hook over both hooks on one of the bungee cords. Attach the turnbuckle to one end of the snap hook and the sun sail grommet to the other. For spanning larger spaces, attach the turnbuckle to your chain or rope before hooking it to your snap hook with an S hook.
5,Tighten the turnbuckles, chains or ropes until the sun sail is taut but still has some give. Adjust the height on each of the trees as needed. Lower the sun sail on one side by at least 2 inches to allow leaves and debris to slide off. Remove any leftover chain or rope.

Types of Party Tents


Party tents offer an ideal method of keeping guests dry during wet weather or shaded when the sun is directly
above. There are a variety of party tents and they come in many sizes. Events that can benefit from tents include
revivals, weddings and festivals. Each tent is different and comes with benefits and disadvantages.
1,Traditional Pole Tents
The traditional pole tent is the most popular style and can be used for a variety of events. Pole tents are useful
during special events or during times when disaster relief shelters are needed. The pole tent is very portable
which makes it a good choice for transporting and offers a vast amount of coverage for a lower price than many
other styles. An advantage to the pole tent is that it’s easy to put up and comes in relatively large sizes. A few
disadvantages are that a pole has to be placed directly in the center and a large amount of ground area is needed
for the tent once it is standing.
2,Frame Tents
The biggest advantage of the frame tent is that the need for a center pole is eliminated. Instead, the tent is
supported by a frame put together with special hardware. The frame tent works well both indoors or out and allows
for setup in a smaller area. The disadvantages to a frame tent are that they only come in smaller sizes and are
not as easily transported. Some people also find that setting the frame tent up is much more difficult.
3,High Peak Tents
High peak tents are usually used for events that are going to last for a while or special events that need added
wind and weather protection. The high peak tent is especially popular for wedding receptions. One great feature of
the high peak style is that it is extremely resistant to high winds and the peaked roof allows rain to run off
easily. Another advantage is that the tents are portable and give a sense of elegance to any event. The main
disadvantages to using high peak tents is the cost and the use of several center poles to support the roof.

2012年3月21日星期三

Make a Wooden Hammock Stand


Wouldn’t it be nice to have a hammock right in your backyard? This could serve as a sanctuary or a place where you could hang out during the late afternoons. Of course, your hammock will not be complete without a stable stand. Most people busy themselves with getting the right fabric or material to hang on their wooden hammock stands. While this also important, getting a wooden hammock stand should be the first thing you need to worry about when building your own hammock.
1,Cut one end of your 6-foot long wood pieces at a 30-degree angle using your miter saw.
2,Measure 1 foot from each end of your 8-foot wood pieces using your measuring tape. Use your pencil to mark each measurement that you make.
3,Place your 8-foot wood pieces on a flat surface. Find the angled end of your 6-foot wood pieces near the two 1-foot marks. Angle the piece outwards as you place your other 8-foot piece on top. Line up the board according to the measurement marks that you made. This would put the 6-foot pieces in between the 8-foot ones.
4,Use your electric drill to drill 4 holes in all three pieces for every two connecting areas. Get your 1/2 by 2-inch bolts, nuts and washers and secure the wood pieces with them. See to it that they are tightly screwed by turning the knobs clockwise until they come to a complete stop.
5,Measure the pieces to find their 4-foot section. Put the 8-foot wood pieces’ends near the center. The 4-foot wood pieces will serve as the stand’s base when the hammock stands are held upright.
6,Drill one hole using the electric driller through the 4-foot pieces. Repeat the same step for each side of your 8-foot wood pieces. You should end up with 2 holes on each end.

How to Design a Sun Shade Sail?


1,Select the size and shape of the sun shade sail. Geometric shapes like squares, rectangles and triangles are easiest to create from scratch. The size is determined by the amount of coverage you want the sail to provide.
2,Cut heavy fabric like canvas that will stand up to the elements to the size and shape of the sun shade sail. Iron a narrow hem along each unfinished side and sew the hems closed.
3,Use a grommet tool to put grommets in each corner of the sun shade sail. Lay one piece of the grommet on either side of the fabric and use the tool to press them together. If you don’t have a grommet tool, use a rubber mallet to tap them together. Cut out the fabric inside the grommet.
4,Determine where the sail will be attached. If the sail will be over a patio at the side of your house, two of the grommets can be attached to the house and the others attached to trees or other supports. To construct a free-standing support, use a post hole digger to dig a hole for the support, fill the hole with concrete and place the support in the concrete. Allow the concrete to cure before attaching the sail.
5,Attach screw hooks to the places where the sun shade sail will be supported by drilling a pilot hole and then screwing the hook in securely. Slip one grommet over each screw hook.