A shade sail is made of a durable, slightly flexible material stretched over an open space area and held in place by numerous anchors on nearby walls, buildings, or poles. Shade Sails are visually similar to the sail of a boat and are ideal products for any patio, decks, poolsides, outdoor space, or backyard setting that requires shade. These shades come in various shapes, sizes, and colours, allowing you to create a fantastic backyard paradise, besides providing you with sun protection. For installing the right shades for your outdoor areas, you will have to take your pick between various materials, shapes, and colours. To give you a nudge over finding the perfect shade sail for your outdoor space, here’s a quick guide.
How to find a perfect shade for your outdoors?
When you are looking for a shade sail, first evaluate your needs. Decide whether you only need protection from the sun’s UV rays or you need protection from the rain as well. Waterproof shades, as well as non-waterproof shades, are available. Waterproof shades are made of tightly woven, water-repellent fabric, allowing the water to slide over the shade rather than penetrate it. In contrast, non-waterproof shades are made of micro-perforated material that blocks the harmful UV rays but allows the air to circulate freely. Read on to know more!
Shade Sail Materials
The three most common shade sail materials are:
- Polyethylene: Polyethylene shades are robust, water-resistant, wind-resistant shades offering easy air circulation. These are less tightly woven fabrics and are lightweight.
- Polyester: Shades made of polyester provide the ultimate protection from rain and the sun. These are tear-resistant, easy to clean, and easy to maintain.
- Acrylic: These are waterproof, stain, and tear-resistant shade materials. Acrylic shades are batch-dyed for better colour fastness over time.
Shade Sails: Sizes, Shapes, And Colours
Though Shade Sails are available in many different shapes, the ones you usually see are rectangular, square, and triangular. Plus, they come in various sizes, from small to extra-large, enabling you to choose the one based on your requirement. Therefore, whether you want to select a single shade to cover your large deck or want to overlap several shades and create a graphic effect, you have a myriad of choices.
Over that, you have an exclusive range of colour options to choose from. From softer tones for creating a relaxing atmosphere to brighter shades for a more contemporary feel, Shade Sails have it all. However, if you live in sunny areas and want ultimate protection against UVA and UVB rays, go for darker tones.
Benefits of Shade Sails
Affordable
Installing shades in your backyard will not make a hole in your pocket. Yes! These are a super affordable way to spruce up your outdoors. Even if you opt for custom shades, they are still economical than other shade options such as awning or pergola.
Easy installation
Another most loved benefit of Shade Sails is its easy-to-install and easy-to-remove properties. Hence, these are considered flexible solutions to the changing individual’s needs.
Aesthetically pleasing
As discussed above, shades come in different sizes, shapes, and colours, allowing you to choose the one that perfectly complements the existing style and architecture of your home.
Cooling and ventilation
Shades provide you with a top cover and are open at the sides, unlike gazebos or conservatories. Therefore, it gives welcoming airflow and proper ventilation on summer days. Moreover, most Shade Sails are made from semi-permeable fabrics keeping the temperature underneath at least 10 degrees below the average outside temperature.
So, do you think installing shades is a good idea? Yes, of course! Installing these sails is one of the most common shade options available to you!
