3 Expert Tips To Choose A Shade Sail

What type of shade sail should I buy?

The type of shade sail you will need for your home greatly depends on the climate of your area: only some types of shade sail are suitable for wetter or windier conditions.

Waterproof

• Waterproof shade sails are made with dense strands of fabric with pores that aren’t big enough to allow water to pass through.
• This is the preferred protection against heavy rain, however, it should not be used in stormy areas as the fabric can catch the wind and tear apart easily.

Water-resistant

• This type of shade sail can only withstand light showers but is much better at dealing with strong winds than completely waterproof shade sails.
• Water-resistant shade sails are also quite long-lasting and so are the best option for a long-term investment.

UV Protection

• Shade sails need to first be coated with a UV protection layer to be able to block up to 98% of UV rays.
• These are usually not waterproof at all, and so can only be used to create cool and protective shade in sunny environments.

What material should my shade sail be made out of?

The material you choose is linked closely with the type of shade sail you would like, and what function you want it to serve. There are only 3 major materials used, and each is ideal for a different function and environment.

Shade Cloth

• This is the most popular material for shade sails as it is relatively cheap.
• The knitted fabric can be stretched to create the signature three-dimensional shapes associated with shade sails.
• Shade cloth is quite lightweight and very breathable, so it is ideal for providing cool and protective shade from UV rays.

PVC

• PVC is a more expensive alternative to shade cloth and has a higher quality feel to it.
• It can provide great protection against heavier rain but is not recommended for windy areas.

Canvas

• Canvas shade sails are also more expensive than ones made out of shade cloth as the material is denser and sturdier.
• This means it can withstand stronger winds and can provide some protection from the rain, although not as well as PVC shade sails.

What shape should my shade sail be?

Although seemingly not a very significant factor, the shape of your shade sail will determine exactly where it can be placed and how you can customize it.

Triangle

• Triangle shade sails will offer less coverage than square shade sails.
• They are, however, more spatially flexible and so can be installed in much smaller spaces.
• You can also layer multiple triangle shade sails to create unique patterns and a wider coverage area.

Square

• Square shade sails will cover a larger area than triangle shade sails but will require a larger space to be installed.
• You also can’t be very creative with layers or patterns, making this shade sail shape more practical than aesthetic.