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Writer's pictureKiera Peterson

6 Top Tips for Choosing the Right Shade Sails

Updated: Nov 11, 2023

A shade sail is a protective, durable outdoor covering, which can be used in yachts, commercial establishments, homes and other locations with ease. Nowadays, the use of these shades has extended. When compared to the common canopy, these coverings function as both a protective shelter against inclement weather and decorative overhang. They come in a splendid variety of colours, shapes and designs to match your space. If you follow some tips, you will be able to choose ideal shade sails for your outdoor space. Here are some of the tips you can consider:

Identify the Structure and Space Where You Want It to Fix

You must have a fair idea of where to install your covering, for example, in a garden, open balcony or open verandah. Unlike more permanent shades, these coverings are easily moveable. Thus, you can move them from one place to another without any hassles.

Installing the Right Shade Sails at Strategic Points Is Very Important

Don’t forget to install one corner of the covering lower than the other to allow rainwater to dispel. If the shade is not fixed at a proper angle or is not tight enough, rainwater will collect on shade fabric, causing it to tear or stretch. Moreover, accumulated water can also fade the colour of shade sails and even make them smell bad. It has been recommended to install each shade sail at 25-degree angle of incline. This ensures that the sails are not blown off due to extreme wind or rough weather condition. You can also attach them very carefully on to the ground, by using this method.

Find an Appropriate Anchor Point

The fixing points for shade sails must be at least 7ft 5inches over the ground. This can be a suitable tree, strong beam, wall, metal pole or wooden post. If you want to install posts, they should be 45mm wide galvanized steel with 4mm thickness. The posts must be set at an angle away from the centre of covering by at least ten degrees to provide extra stability and strength.

Choose the Material

You can buy shade sails in two materials. You need to assess your current requirement, budget and liking, and decide which one is best for you.

Breathable Covering:

It can block up to 95 per cent of ultraviolet rays. It is produced from mono-filament polymer weave fabric and is considered to be very durable and strong.

Waterproof Shade:

This type of covering can block up to 97 per cent of harmful ultraviolet radiation. The shade can be easily washed and is rot proof. The waterproof sails are the best ways in which you can save the sails during the monsoon season. You can also customise them as and when required. The desired style, shape and colour can maximize the overall look of your living space.

Select a Colour

Unlike other coverings, shade sails come in different types of attractive colours to suit a wide variety of outdoor spaces. From ivory to charcoal grey to azure blue, you can explore an extensive gamut of appealing colours. For lighter shades, you can blend them well with the rest of your home decor, or else, for dark colours, you can arrange them as a part of the light-coloured home or garden background.

Choose a Size

If you pay attention to these tips, you are likely to get the perfect shade sails. These coverings will not only protect you from rain, sunlight or UV rays, but they would also enhance the overall appearance of your garden, veranda or even swimming pool. Not to forget, they come in reasonably priced rates.

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