FAQ

Frequently asked questions about our shade sails

What Are Shade Sails Made Of?

Shade sails can be made from canvas or UV resistant material that has been knitted to form a high density cloth. There are a range of different fabrics available today, each with varying colours, sun protection ratings, strength, weight and durability. These high-tech shade cloths are designed to suit different applications. Shade cloth with a high count of microfilaments tends to be higher quality and stretches less than a shadecloth with a loose weave that contains a high amount of tape. A combination of monofilaments and tape is often used to achieve a shadecloth fabric that will hold tension but allow a certain amount of stretch in order to prevent tears. This becomes very important with large commercial shade structures. At ShadesailPro we use premium tension fabrics from the most reputable manufacturers and can advise you on the best material for your project depending on what you want to achieve with your sail.

Can Shadesails Be Waterproof?

Regular shadecloth sails can provide only a limited amount of rain protection due to the fact that they are made from mesh to allow for cooling air circulation. Their dense weave, combined with tight tensioning of the sail and sufficient height variation in the attachment points, will allow for the majority of the rain to run off the sail however there will still be some water penetration. You will need a special waterproof shade sail if you require your outdoor area to be absolutely dry on rainy days. Waterproofing can be achieved by either using PVC membranes in place of shadecloth, or by using a type of shadecloth which has had a waterproof laminate added to it. These are available in a rainbow of colours and are literally the perfect all-weather solution – come rain, hail or shine!

What Colour Shadesail Is Best?

A thicker, darker colour shadecloth is often the best option for maximum UV protection and to hide any grime that might accumulate over time. Lighter colour sails are generally the hardest to keep clean but also allow more light to shine through. Ultimately your choice of colour will depend on how you want your sail to tone with its surrounding environment and whether you want to match roof colours and existing structures or make a bold architectural statement with contrasting colours.

Why Do You Use Marine Grade Stainless Steel For Shade Sail Hardware?

We use 316-grade stainless steel, otherwise known as marine grade stainless steel, because it not only looks smart but is also incredibly strong and weather-resistant. Compared to other grades of stainless steel it is much more immune to salt water corrosion and to rusting in general, which is especially important for homes and establishments in seaside areas of Brisbane such as Wynnum and Redcliffe.

What Are The Best Fixings For Shadesails To Be Attached to?

Shade sails need to have a sufficient number of fixing points in order to maintain tension in the sail. These points need to be strong enough to cope with wind loads because a shade sail can catch the wind just like any sail on a boat. The fixing points could be on existing structures such as building walls or fences, but ideally you would want an engineer to certify that the attachment point is strong enough to hold the sail taut without causing damage to your property under stormy or windy conditions. Steel posts with cement footings are commonly used to provide solid, independent attachment points for sails. How deep the footings need to be depends on your individual project, but an average footing is around 1200 mm deep x 450 mm wide. To hold the shade sail tightly in place and counteract sideways forces, it’s usual for the posts to be slightly angled into the ground.

What About Shade Sails And Wind?

One of the most important factors in constructing a high performance shadesail is the ability to create twist, or hypar, in the sail so that it stays under tension and does not flap in the wind. This is very difficult to achieve with a DIY shadesail since it’s virtually impossible to retrofit the posts correctly to create the right amount of tension with a ready-made shade. However, a properly constructed custom sun shade sail should be engineered to account for wind load in your area and be precisely installed to ensure the sail stays under tension. This includes making sure that the posts and footings are adequate to cope with storms and strong winds. Since a triangular sail cannot be twisted and tensioned into a three dimensional shape, a sail with a minimum of four sides is recommended to avoid too much noise and flapping in breezy areas.

We Can Tackle Any Project, Small Or Large, And Look Forward To Seeing How We Can Help You To Turn Your Custom Made Shadesails Ideas Into A Reality

FAQ