ᐅ Attach wire cable for curtain to patio post

Hello,

We have a patio roof supported by aluminum posts (3mm thick aluminum, hollow inside).
We would like to stretch a steel cable between the posts to hang an outdoor curtain.

What would be the best way to attach a tension hook to the aluminum posts? Using hollow wall anchors with a metric thread and screwing the tension hook into that? Installing rivet nuts?
Thank you!

With aluminum, that’s not straightforward.

I always have the cable manufacturer specify the anchor points for wire rope setups since they also provide the necessary accessories.

My feeling is that bearing plates with a hundred rivets per side result in a rather unattractive construction.

We have a sunshade sail that runs on steel cables, with stainless steel posts about 7cm (3 inches) in diameter. The steel cables are tensioned with springs at the top inside the posts, and the posts themselves also have some flexibility.

In short, any sunshade sails mounted on steel cables should always be attached with some flexibility. Otherwise, a gust of wind can tear and bend everything.

What do the ends of the wire ropes look like? How large are the posts?

Rivet nuts sound like a good option. They won’t pull out.

Do you have the appropriate tool for them?

hanghaus2023 schrieb:

How do the wire ropes end? How large are the posts?

Threaded rivet nuts sound pretty good. You won’t pull those out.

Do you have the proper tool for them?

I would attach the wire ropes using turnbuckles. My idea is to either install a rivet nut or a hollow wall anchor in the aluminum post (I think the anchor might be even more stable?) and then screw in a bolt with a ring end or hook. You can find such turnbuckles, for example, by searching for Cosch stainless steel turnbuckles.

I don’t have the tool for the rivet nuts.

Then I would drill through the support and attach a nut from the outside, so you can also tighten it.