When you stand underneath a shade sail you feel like you are in the open. Commercial grade materials are usually guaranteed for 5- 10 years and properly designed sails last a long time.
A traditional solution, sails have been used in Australia for many years. Natural looking they offer a permanent alternative to parasols, carports and roofed areas. One of the problems with temporary shade solutions like umbrellas is that you have to keep putting them away. If you don’t, they can fade and even rot. Shade sails remove this worry and UV stabilized materials combined with non rusting fixings make them a long term proposition. By far the lowest cost solution is to find existing load bearing points to fix to as only a shade cloth and fixing devices are needed.
For precious garden beds where sun and rain needs regulating. In between sail cloths can be used which let a certain amount of sunlight and water to get through. Garden shade sails offer convenience and style. Because sizes usually start from 3m they’re ideal for smaller gardens. Crafted in a triangular shape, they’re perfect for those tricky corners too.
Shade materials range from straightforward shade cloth which offer 80% plus shade cover to solid PVC which is fully waterproof as well as UV proof. Shade only cloths have an open weave which can let heat escape from underneath which can make areas considerably cooler to stand under during the heat of the day. PVC fabrics are fully waterproof and can be supplied in architectural grade quality. Cost typically is 2-3 times more expensive than commercial shade fabrics.UV resistance varies a little by cloth manufacturer and light colours give less shade than dark.
When considering designs, triangular shaped sails can be overlapped to give a sculptural look. Graceful and with strong visual impact, the downside is that triangle sails can cost more to cover the same area. Rectangular shapes give more shade cover and are more cost effective.
Color choice nowadays is huge, from neutral tones that can blend in with a building’s facade or leafy environment. For a more impactful statement, bright colours can range from yellow to bold oranges and pink.
Measuring up properly is critical whether it is a professional installation or a DIY job. Point to point measures need to be taken from the fixing areas and allowances made for fixing devices and curvature under tension.
Sails work best when sloped as this gives stability and water shedding. The last thing you want is your sail to have a pool of water left inside. DIY or professionally installed, shade sails are worth comparatively costing to other structures.