FAQs

One stop shop for design, fabrication and installation. We have a proven track record with great references and a load of happy clients. We are one of the few shade manufactures in FL that specializes in shade structures , we are not a playground company or a awnings company that sells some cheap Chinese shades. 

Quality structures at the right price. Engineered to the latest Florida and International Building Codes with the best (10/20) warranty to back our products.

No middleman – buy factory direct and save. Warranties will be directly with us.

How to Choose a Shade Sail?  There are two types of shade sails available at Creative Shade Solution

Commercial grade sail 

• Fabricate from 320 + gsm ( weight of the cloth or how many webs per sqr )
• Fabricated from the best shade cloth we can find – Commercial 95 / Allnet / Comtex / Polytex / Sunbrella
• Fabricated with triple reinforced corners
• Fabricated using 8″ aluminium headboards ( aka as spreader plates )
• Using a min of 1/4″ steel cable  ( either galvanized or Stainless )
• Rated for 90 mph winds – 3 sec gusts
• All the above combined makes a commercial grade shade sail
• NOT the Chines Amazon stuff you can buy
• All special ordered and USA made – in Florida
• Full 10 year warranty

Residential sails

• Fabricate from 320 + gsm ( weight of the cloth or how many webs per sqr )
• Fabricated from the best shade cloth we can find – Commercial 95 / Allnet / Comtex / Polytex / Sunbrella
• Fabricated with single reinforcement 
• Using stainless steel corner attachment hardware
• Rated for 50 mph  ( not guaranteed ) 
• Still NOT the cheap Chines Amazon stuff   – 100 times better 
• Using webbing edge ( not cable ) 
• Max size that will work recommended 20′  – you can order them bigger 
• Full 3 year warranty

Our brochure is available in PDF format. Click here to download.

You will need Adobe Reader to view the PDF:

All of our commercial structures are designed and fabricated for 90mph wind loads or more if specifications required.

Warranties will require you to remove canopy tops only with any hurricanes warnings.

By default, structures will be fabricated using the standard fabric with +- 88% water runoff, but we do offer a waterproof option.

Not all structure types are suitable for waterproof cloth. Waterproof cloth is approximately 30% more expensive than standard fabric and is available only in limited colors.

Waterproof shade structures are a good solution but can get expensive to install as they require extra heavy-duty anchoring points.

Check with your local municipality building department on permit requirements. The rule in Florida is “if you concrete a stick in the ground “, then most likely. We can pull all the needed permits or can help you through the permitting steps. Our shades will be engineered and installed to meet your local building codes.

A small pressure washer with a wide nozzle should do the trick. Easier to remove the canopy and wash it on clean concrete slab. You can use dishwashing soap as needed.

You’ll need a high degree of tension on any type of sail to make it work. You cannot let your sail flap in the wind – wind and water breaks sails.

To install the sails, you need to pull the sail by hand till approximately 6″ from the anchoring point, then you’ll need a small ratchet strap to pull the sail the final 6” with the turnbuckles at max open.

Once the sail is hooked up, you can start adjusting the turnbuckles to tension the sail. The tension should be so that the sides of the sails cannot be pushed inwards more than 6″.

If your sail is a commercial cable edge sail, you have an additional step: you will need to tension the cable after putting tension on the corners.

On the square sail you’ll need four D shackles, four pad eyes (or eye bolts) and two turnbuckles to tension. For a triangular shade sail only three of every fitting is going to be needed. To achieve further extension from the support if needed, a length of stainless chain may be used. We do not recommend the use of elastic or “bungee” cords for mounting the sail unless it is very temporary.

No. We can refer you to a local handyman who can provide you with a quote if you would like.

No. We cannot provide free estimates and designs for DIY customers.

Sometimes wind and weather causes damage to the shade sails and or structure. To find our more about repairs and replacement click here.

Qualified companies can become resellers. If you are interested in learning more, click here.

A snapshot of the shade sail fabrics we carry:

• Commercial 95^® 340: great for mid-sized projects
• Polytex^®: features a “Raschel Knit”
• SolaMesh^®: tested in the world’s toughest conditions
• Comtex^®: excellent fire rating
• Sunbrella^® Contour: legendary Sunbrella performance
• Commercial Heavy^® 430: great for large-scale jobs
• Architec 400^®: unique blend of fibers for maximum endurance
• Commercial FR 300^®: flame retardant and UV resistant
• FR Comshade^®:a new-and-improved version with updated materials, higher flame resistance, and stricter environmental safety
• Commercial DualShade: superior biaxial stability with a unique two-toned look

Five Steps 

Here are your five basic steps in building a shade sail: 

• Design – Fabricator works with customer to determine size, shape, coverage, and color.
• Certification – Fabricator engages engineer to determine loads and design attachment points with sufficient strength to hold the shade sail in place.
• Build Shade Sail – Fabricator builds the shade sail.
• Build Attachment Points – Local contractor builds footings and/or installs attachment hardware.
• Install Shade Sail – Fabricator installs and tensions the shade sail.

A large open floor space for layout and a heavy-duty sewing machine are the basic tools needed for building a shade sail.

When it comes to installing the poles and attachment points, the home owner should consider engaging a local contractor that has all of the necessary equipment to dig footings, install cement, etc.