Rectangle Sun Shade Sail for Garden Awning | Chameleon Direct (2024)

FAQs

What is the disadvantage of a shade sail? ›

Not Fully Rain-resistant

Another drawback is that even though sun protection is offered, the design of the sail means that not all areas underneath are kept dry when it rains. This doesn't mean the sail is unusable but means that it may be less useful during the wetter and colder months.

Shade sails offer a great source of sun shade and UV protection, plus water protection, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors and relax outside in comfort. The benefits of installing a Shade Sail: Fantastic sun & UV protection - up to 95%

Awnings provide excellent protection against both sun and rain, making them suitable for areas with diverse weather conditions. They can shield you from harmful UV rays and keep your outdoor space cool during hot summers. Sunshades, on the other hand, are ideal for regions with predominantly sunny climates.

Generally, high-quality shade cloth made from durable materials such as high-density polyethene (HDPE) or commercial-grade fabric can last 5 to 15 years depending on the fabric or even longer with proper care and maintenance.

Yes, you can leave shade sails up in winter, but it's advisable to consider your specific climate. In milder regions, leaving them up year-round is possible. However, in areas with harsh winters, it's often better to take them down to prevent damage from snow, ice, and strong winds.

A triangle shaped sail will offer less shade than a square, but it's more spatially flexible and can fit into smaller areas better. Plus, it has one less fixing point, so you can be a little more imaginative with it.

Sun sails and sun shade sails are exactly the same as a shade sail. They're material free-spanned and tensioned between posts or brackets. They can be waterproof or made from a standard fabric. Sunshades are often used generically to apply to any device used as protection from the sun rays.

Dark colors like black or brown are preferable if you want to protect yourself from the sun's UV rays as much as possible. Lighter colors can be riskier. Additionally, keep in mind that lighter colors will show dust, bird droppings, and stains more readily because they are more noticeable.

The rule is that a lighter color will always be cooler. Therefore, if you require respite from the heat, look for a canopy in white, yellow, or light shades of green, lilac, pink, or blue. The colors will reflect much of the heat, making it cooler to sit beneath them.

What is better than awnings? ›

When it comes to longevity, patio covers have a clear advantage. Canvas awnings are vulnerable to moisture damage, mold and mildew growth, stains, and tears. Even more durable materials such as acrylic fabrics are still susceptible to algae stains and color fading due to prolonged exposure to the sun.

Reflective or metallic sunshades: Reflective sunshades avoid a buildup of heat by redirecting the UV rays rather than absorbing the majority of them. On the other hand, metallic sunshades absorb the heat instead.

A well-installed, high-quality shade sail can withstand high winds. As a tensioned structure explicitly made for the outdoors, it may take on a rather substantial shape and shouldn't move around much in the wind. Most shade sails are built to endure wind gusts of at least 90 mph for three seconds.

They are made of a breathable fabric called high-density polyethylene, which blocks the harmful rays of the sun without trapping hot air beneath. This can lower temperatures under the sail by over 15 degrees! While 100 degrees is still not ideal weather, it is much better than 116 and comfortable for swimming.

Most shade sails are not waterproof unless you are using a waterproof fabric, however, one of the reasons we suggest varying the heights of your posts/attachment points is to encourage water run-off.

As such, they are water resistant in that they are not subject to mold and other water damage. You can leave a shade sail up in the rain without worrying that it might be ruined.