Before investing in a shade sail, it’s crucial to avoid common mistakes. Choose the right size or shape for your space and avoid poor installation, which can lead to issues like sagging sails and rainwater disasters. Shade sails are a cost-effective option for any backyard, providing shade during hot spells and being less expensive than awnings and pergolas. They’re also ideal for rental properties as they can be quickly removed and re-homed. Avoid these mistakes to ensure a comfortable and functional backyard accessory.
- Investing in Something Too Small
When choosing a shade sail, it’s crucial to measure the desired area and distance between fittings and posts to ensure safe attachment.
- Installing your shade sail too flat.
Shade sails are a great way to provide shade in a sunny garden, but they should be properly shaped and fixed in place. A flat sail is not recommended as it can collect rainwater and dirt. To maximize visual appeal and reduce wind pressure, use a mix of high and low fixing points. Additionally, check the sun’s direction during the hottest part of the day to find the best angle for your shade sail.
- Using Weak attaching Points.
To ensure a secure and long-lasting shade sail, it’s essential to use strong, buried posts. Heavy-duty, weatherproof fixings made from galvanized or stainless steel are recommended for long-term outdoor use. It’s also important to choose suitable fixings for your sail’s weight and location.
- Purchasing a shade sail with no UV protection.
The color canopy of a shade sail doesn’t necessarily provide the most sun protection. A common mistake is not choosing a shade sail with UV protection when it’s vitally needed. Sun-sensitive individuals may mistake shade for protection, but if the shade doesn’t offer UV protection, disaster can occur. To ensure sun safety, choose a darker fabric or a model approved by a reputable organization for UV protection.
Colors – Fabric and Materials – Creative Shade Solutions
- Attempting to Cover a Large Area with a Single Sail Shade
It is suggested using multiple sails for large patio covers for easier angling and tensioning. However, multiple sails layered over one another may not keep the area dry as rain may find its way through gaps between the sails.
When installing a shade sail, two important measurements should be made: the distance between the attachments and the height of the posts. Many customers have multiple fixing points on the vertical to adjust the slant of the sail according to the sun’s position. Lowering one side of the sail when the sun starts to go down helps maintain shade for longer. Coverage from the sun at its highest point is also important.
If you have any question shade sails, please feel free to call us.