Plastic Clip-Its with Shade Cloth - Advice?

[crimbopple]

Hi all,
This year we are making a new shade covering for our dome. We are thinking red 80% shade cloth cut into hexagons. I have some questions for any of you who've embarked down this path:

1. Can you just cut the shade cloth any way you like without fraying or do the edges need to be finished on a sewing machine?

2. Has anyone used Clip-Its? Plastic clips instead of taping edges + grommets? This method seems a whole lot more cost effective, but I want to know if the little buggers are tough enough to hold up in the wind.

http://www.catalogclearance.com/product ... cloth.html

3. We were thinking of using shock cord to attach the pieces to the inside of the dome, giving it more play in the wind. Anyone try that before?

4. What is the size of the loop on the clip? Could it accommodate a 1/8 in. shock cord?

Thanks for any light that could be shed on this subject.

Cheers,
C-Otter

[Ebenezer Squeezer]

This is aluminet shade cloth? I've got exactly the same setup and the clips work great. You can cut the aluminet in any direction. Just fold the edge over once before putting on the clip. I spaced them about 12" apart.

The loop on the clip is just over 3/8" inside diameter. I connect the clip directly to steel cable without any shock cords and have had no problems. The aluminet probably gives more than a shock cord would, I think. This is for 70%, but I don't think the 80% would act too differently.

I've used this setup 2 years now with no problems.

[crimbopple]

Yah, it's not aluminet but the cheaper plastic shade cloth in the color red (hopefully). But I am so glad to hear that the clips don't break, and that they grab the edges of the unfinished aluminet well.

I have to assume, but will call the company, that shade cloth holds up as well as aluminet. Thank you E.S. I appreciate your feedback.

-C-otter

[Dork]

One of my camp-mates brought a bunch of what looked to be 60% or 70% tan shade cloth. It was all held together with those clips and none showed the slightest sign of ripping out. None of the edges were finished.

She covered her dome by cutting the cloth into long strips pointed at one end. The pointed ends tied together at the top. There was some overlap and waste, but you'll probably get that with any method. It was pretty easy to install and remove. Because shade cloth doesn't catch the wind as much, it doesn't need to be as tight as a tarp or parachute would.

[Token]

With shade cloth there are two types: Knit and Woven. Knit type does not run and needs no finishing. Woven does run and must be finished.

[crimbopple]

That is exactly what I needed to know. Thank you Token, and Dork.

[motskyroonmatick]

I used those clip gromet things and they worked great. The key is to use a bit of twine or that shock cord you were talking about between the clip and your piece of rebar or whatever. Having that bit of flexibility really helps durring the big gusts. When I put a small rebar stake through the center of the gromet I had several fail. When you appply the gromet to the shade cloth use a little care to line things up right and use something to help you press the sides together like two small pieces of plywood. You are definitely headed in the right direction!!!

[robotland]

I also like to use both spring clips and slip-on plastic clips. Both hold well but would release in a sudden heavy gust.

[Finnegan]

With shade cloth there are two types: Knit and Woven. Knit type does not run and needs no finishing. Woven does run and must be finished.

That's great information, thanks! How do i know which type i have? Someone just gave me a few large scraps.

[motskyroonmatick]

Woven shade cloth will have a weave that looks square with apparent warp and weft. The knit shade cloth looks like a tee shirt weave and is made up of narrow interlocking loops. Knit tends to be more flexible as I recall.