The process that I'm going to share can be installed on grass, sand (beach or desert) or dirt, basically anywhere that you can drive a stake into the ground, but beware before you start! Make sure that you won't hit any pipes, cables or wires underground. You want to ensure that you can drive a stake approximately 2 feet into the ground without busting any lawn irrigation or cutting any wires.
Also, please note that this installation method can only accommodate 15-20 foot spans of lights. The lights must be thin gauge string lights because the heavy-duty, thick cord string lights will be too heavy for the poles. (click here to purchase customizable string lights)
If you need to span a longer distance please check out our IYN Tank Stands. They can accommodate a span of 30 feet using thin gauge string lights.
Items You Will Need:
4 T-posts or pieces of 1" rebar that is approximate 4' long
4 IYN Pole Stands (click here to purchase)
A T-post driver or large hammer
Black zip ties and nippers to cut
String lights - make sure to purchase our customizable light gauge string lights
Black power cord at least 15' long (click here to purchase)
Ladder
Generator if you don't have access to power
Measure out where you want your 4 poles to be placed. The maximum recommended span for this installation method is 15-20 feet. Mark each spot and then pound the T-post into the ground using a T-post driver or hammer the rebar in. Make sure you drive the metal post or rebar in far enough so that it is secure in the ground and can't be pulled out or over.
Once all 4 metal posts are installed slide the IYN Pole Stands over the posts.
Using a ladder, add the black power cord to whichever pole you want to run power up. Simply run the black power cord up the exterior of the pole and secure the female end of the power cord inside the carabiner at the top of the pole. Use black zip ties to secure the power cord along the exterior of the pole. We recommend a black cord because it blends in nicely. Once you reach the ground you can plug in another cord if it's needed to reach your power source.
Next, you will install your string lights. Plug into the power cord on the top of the pole, making sure to secure the lights to the carabiner clip so they don't come crashing down. Then extend the lights out to the remaining poles, adjusting the droop to the look you want. This picture shows a lot of droop and wouldn't be practical if you plan to have guests milling about. Instead, I recommend pulling the lights up close to the 9.6' height without pulling the poles over. You may discover that you have some extra string lights at the end. We remove the bulbs and then slide the extra cord down the pole.
Enjoy!
Photo Credit: Benjamin Edwards Photography
]]>With high excitement to test out my idea, I gathered my newly engineered pole stand, a borrowed drill, 9 wedge anchors, a black marker and a vacuum, and I asked my dear and helpful boyfriend to team up with me because, in all honesty, I was a little intimidated by the drill.
45 minutes later we had 3 poles securely anchored on the patio and I finally had strong points to attach my privacy screening. I did a few small modifications to the screening and within 30 minutes we had instant patio privacy.
It has made a world of difference in the amount of time we now enjoy our beautiful Central Oregon weather. We went from rarely using the backyard space to now enjoying summer breakfast and dinners daily. The nice thing is that the privacy screens are adjustable and we can choose between cozy little nook or .....view into the neighbor's backyard.
OPEN PRIVATE
Concrete Installation: Purchase 3/8” x 3” wedge anchors. You’ll need (3) anchors per pole.
How to Install Wedge Anchors in Concrete: Use the round base of the pole as a template to mark the locations of holes. Drill holes into the concrete using a concrete bit. Bit size = anchor diameter when working with wedge anchors. Drill a holes 1/2" deeper than the anchor will penetrate into the concrete making sure that the minimum embedment requirements are met. The holes can be drilled while the fixture is in place. It is important to make sure that the bit diameter being used will fit through the holes in the fixture.
Clean out the holes using a wire brush, compressed air, vacuum, blow out bulb or another method.
Put the nut and washer onto the wedge anchor and make sure that the nut is on the last threads (this will protect the threads from damage when the wedge anchor is hammered into the hole in the concrete).
Insert the wedge anchor through the fixture's hole and into the hole in the base material. This should be a very tight fit- use a hammer to complete the installation until the nut and washer are tight against the fixture. It is important that the threads go below the surface of either the base material or the fixture.
Turn the nut clockwise, until finger tight. Using a wrench, turn the nut 3-4 times until snug.
You Tube Video – How to install wedge anchors in concrete
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