Sail track is an aluminium channel that holds the keder-edged edge of a shade sail along a fixed straight line, usually against a wall, beam or fascia. It gives a continuous tensioned edge with no gaps, rather than pulling the sail to a single corner fixing point. It's the standard method for attaching a shade sail to a building.
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Sail Track
Advanced Shade Systems supplies sail track for shade sail installations across Australia. Sail track is the extruded aluminium channel that holds a keder-edged shade sail along a fixed line, giving you a clean, tensioned edge against a wall, beam or fascia instead of a corner fixing point. It's the standard method for attaching a shade sail to a building, and the difference between a professional finish and a sail that flaps at the edges. We've been manufacturing and installing shade sails since 1996, so the track we supply is the same track we specify on our own commercial installations.
What is sail track?
Sail track is an aluminium extrusion with a continuous channel running along its length. The edge of the shade sail is finished with a keder rope (a cord welded or sewn into the fabric hem) that slides into the channel and locks the fabric in place along the full run. Once the sail is fed through, the fabric is held evenly along the entire edge rather than pulled to a single corner point.
The result is a fixed, tensioned edge with no gaps. Where a corner fixing pulls the sail toward one point and leaves the edge free to move, sail track holds the whole line. That matters for weather sealing, for the finished appearance, and for how the sail behaves in wind.
Where sail track is used
Sail track suits any installation where a shade sail needs to attach to a straight structural line rather than a post or corner anchor. Common applications:
- Wall and fascia mounting where the sail runs from a building edge out to posts
- Carports and garage extensions attaching to the house line
- Patios, pergolas and alfresco areas where the sail seals against the building
- Walkways and covered links running along a wall
- Awning-style installations where one edge is fixed and the other is tensioned out
- Retrofit installations adding shade to an existing structure without new footings on the building side
Sail track is also used on the leading edge of some structures to provide a clean, continuous line the fabric can be tensioned against. If the design calls for a straight edge rather than a curved catenary, track is usually the answer.
Sizes and specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Profile type | Wizalfix - Single Sided Sail Track |
| Channel size / keder rope diameter accepted | 18mm (maximum 16mm rope track) |
| Fixing Option |
Fixing Option 1 - M12 bolt or nut in rear track – 500mm
(20in) max. spacing. Fixing Option 2 – Screw fasteners along drill point groove. Structural fixing method to be defined by Structural/Tensile Membrane Engineer. |
| Standard lengths available | 6.5 metres |
| Cut to length | Can be cut to any size for a fee of $20.00 + GST |
| Finish Options | Mill finish as standard. Can be powder coated for a fee. |
If you need a specification we don't hold, tell us what the job requires and we'll advise on the closest option.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Profile type | Dualfix - Double Sided Sail Track |
| Channel size / keder rope diameter accepted | 18mm (maximum 16mm rope track) |
| Fixing Option |
Fixing Option 1 – M12 bolt through central void. Fixing Option 2 – screw fasteners along drill point groove. Structural fixing method to be defined by Structural/Tensile Membrane Engineer. |
| Standard lengths available | 6.5 metres |
| Cut to length | Can be cut to any size for a fee of $20.00 + GST |
| Finish Options | Mill finish as standard. Can be powder coated for a fee. |
Material and construction
Sail track is manufactured from extruded aluminium, chosen for its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance in outdoor installations. Aluminium won't rust, holds its profile under load, and takes a powder-coated or anodised finish that lasts in the Australian climate.
Standard considerations for specifying track:
- Finish. Mill finish is the raw extrusion, suitable where the track is out of sight or will be painted. Powder-coating gives a durable colour finish matched to the building or structure. Anodising provides corrosion resistance with a metallic appearance.
- Coastal installations. Sites near the coast need higher corrosion protection on both the track finish and the fixings. Stainless steel fixings are standard practice for these installations.
- Fixing method. Track is mechanically fixed to the substrate at regular centres. The fixing type depends on what you're fixing into: timber fascia, steel beam, masonry wall, or concrete all call for different fasteners.
- Thermal movement. Long runs need to allow for expansion. Joiners between lengths accommodate this movement without buckling the track or binding the keder.
Sail track and heavy duty applications
For commercial installations, larger spans, and sites with higher wind loading, a heavy-duty sail track profile carries the additional load. The heavier extrusion resists deflection along the run and holds the keder more securely under tension.
Whether a standard or heavy duty profile is appropriate depends on the sail size, the span between fixing points, the wind region, and the fabric weight. For commercial work we'd generally specify heavy duty. Tell us the job details when you enquire, and we'll advise.
Supply for trade and projects
We supply sail track alongside our broader shade product range. Trade partners ordering track regularly can discuss pricing based on ongoing volume rather than per order.
Sail track pairs naturally with our other supply lines:
- href="https://advancedshade.com.au/Wholesale-Shade-Sail-Manufacturing" >Wholesale shade sail manufacturing for keder-edged sails made to your dimensions, ready to feed into the track
- Wholesale shade structures for the engineered frames the sails attach to
- Shade fabric in a range of architectural grades and colours
If you're ordering sails and track together, we can supply the sails with the keder already welded to the correct diameter for the track, so the job goes together on site without adjustment. See our full range of shade structures we design and build for the rest of the product line.
Frequently asked questions
What is sail track used for?
What is a keder rope?
A keder rope is a cord welded or sewn into the hem along the edge of a shade sail. The rope sits inside the sail track channel and locks the fabric in place along the full length of the run. The keder diameter needs to match the channel size in the track, so the two are specified together.
Can sail track be used on an existing structure?
Yes. Sail track is commonly used for retrofit installations, mechanically fixed to an existing wall, fascia, beam or pergola. The fixing type depends on the substrate. During specification, we'll advise on the right fasteners and recommended fixing centres for the job.
What's the difference between standard and heavy duty sail track?
Heavy duty sail track uses a heavier aluminium extrusion that resists deflection along the run and holds the keder more securely under higher tension. It suits commercial installations, larger spans, and sites in higher wind regions. Standard profiles suit smaller residential-scale runs with lower loading.
Do you supply sails and track together?
Yes. When you order both, we supply the sails with the keder welded to the correct diameter for the track you're using, so the sail feeds in cleanly on site without adjustment. Tell us the track profile at quote stage, and we'll match the keder.
Enquire about sail track
To discuss sail track for your project, use the enquiry form below or call 07 3823 5644. Let us know the run length, the mounting substrate, the sail size it needs to hold, and the site location, and we'll come back with the right profile and pricing.
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