A shade sail is meant for providing shade when in an outdoor environment and offer protection from the harsh rays and light of the sun. As the technology used behind the fabric of these sails is similar to those used in ship sails, hence it got its name. You will come across commercial shade sails in public places such as playgrounds, seating areas, and outside cafes and restaurants. The shade sails have indeed come a long way ever since their inceptions and have only become a lot better with advanced technologies.
The first to use those sails were ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. They used large fabric pieces and put them together to get shade. The Colosseum was shaded under a large canvas. With further inventions and advancements in shade cloth, the material gradually became relatively inexpensive and a lot more durable. During the nineties, one saw many different and useful versions of shade cloth in Australia and South Africa. Today, the industry of shade sails has expanded across the world and many new businesses are seen to enter the market. It is common for customers of today to order shade sails online.
The flexible membrane or fabric in a shade sail is tensioned between several anchor points before installing permanently. It is easy to set up and pull down those sails. Initially, the shade fabric was a common one and did not offer complete protection from UV rays. However, current technologies and progress have led to shade cloth available with multi-year UV degradation warranties. The choice of the fabric is an essential factor to consider for shade sail installation. Shade sails with PVC are more expensive alternatives.
It is not uncommon to see several shade sails of different shapes, sizes, and colours get installed and sometimes with overlapping. The purpose behind this is to add some form and style to its function. Before the installation, a stainless-steel turnbuckle is first fixed at each corner of the sail to add tension to the shades. The turnbuckle is seen as the best option to fix the canopy as it allows more tension to build for the permanently fixed sails. However, if you want a temporary installation, then the pulley system makes for a more practical choice as it can be taken down in a couple of minutes. For residential areas and home, there is a snap hook for quick release that is highly recommended as it is easy to install shade sails and pull them down.
Along with getting the best shade sails, it is equally essential to ensure that the installation process is accurate and considerable tension applied to the sail. This is very important for the correct set up of the sail so that it keeps the correct shape and prevents any flapping in the wind. The mounting points should be both substantial and secure so that they are able to withstand the required initial tension and absorb the loads.
When you start looking, you will come across a huge range of shade sails designed to suit every customer and his needs. Well, it can be a daunting task to pick the right one for your needs with so many designs and options available. Just use your common sense and it all boils down to your personal preference. Keep in mind the colours, the shape, and the kind of protection you need. See if you would need installation poles and how you want the space to be covered. Think about how the sunlight will fall from overhead, and if you would want to create a spatially flexible area. Be aware of rains and snowfall too, and in that case, you would perhaps need an all-weather shade sail.
