Shade Sails

As much as we love long days in the sun, a spot of shade provides a welcome retreat in the height of summer and, more importantly, can reduce the UV impact of the sun.
Shade sails and patio umbrellas are easy and cost-effective ways to bring instant shade to your outdoor area. Choosing which is the most appropriate for your area will depend on the style of your home, the size of shade required and whether you would want a permanent or moveable solution.
Patio umbrellas
Patio umbrellas are ideal if you want something that you can move around the outdoor space. Round umbrellas range in size from 2.7m to 3.3m and the larger they are, the more shade they create – funny that. Take into account how much outdoor space you have, as a large patio umbrella can quickly overwhelm a small patio. If you’re looking for an umbrella to shade a long rectangular table to seat eight or more people, a rectangular umbrella option (2.7 x 4.8 metres) will provide stylish cover.
Serious shade seekers should consider a tilting patio umbrella, which can be adjusted to provide shade regardless of the sun’s position. If you don’t want a table umbrella, consider a cantilevered umbrella pole, which is positioned to the side – great for shading a spa pool or children’s sandpit.
Mitre10’s Category Manager of Outdoor Furniture, Janet Grosse, says while patio umbrellas can be table or free standing, as a basic rule of thumb, the larger the umbrella, the larger and weightier the base needs to be. “Base weights vary from 7-25kg and are produced in a variety materials ranging from resin, which you fill with water for stability, to concrete, granite, timber and a flat sheet of steel.” Choose the base depending on how often it will be moved (choose one with handles), whether it is under a table (a flat base is ideal) or if you have a wooden deck you wish to match the base to.
Cantilevered umbrellas will need a weight that counterbalances the weight of the offset umbrella and in this case, athree or four-point stand is a good choice.
Umbrella frame and fabric
When it comes to fabric colours and frame textures, you also have a few options.
The umbrella frame is usually constructed from aluminium or hardwood; the former suiting most outdoor styles, while a wood frame complements a tropical or traditional setting.
The most common umbrella colours are black, blue, green and sandstone, so you can take your pick on the shade but check that the fabric is ‘UV stabilised’.
Shade sails
Shade sails are large pieces of weather and UV-resistant fabric that can be stretched between three or four points across a house, trees or a pole to provide shade.  They may look a contemporary solution, but the concept was common in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome to bring respite from the midday sun. The beauty of shade sails is that they can be set up where table umbrellas can’t go and, as there’s no pole or stand to get in the way, they provide excellent shade above a pool, deck, backyard or patio.
Shaped as rectangles, squares and triangles, varying in size from 3-5m and in colours such as sandstone, green, ice blue and charcoal, shade sails allow you the opportunity to layer and overlap the sizes, shapes or colours for a unique look.
While installation is considered easy, bear in mind larger shade sails are best mounted to steel poles or load-bearing sections of the house for added stability. You’ll also need to purchase mounting accessories such as hooks, pad eyes, webbing or other fasteners. Remember that the shade sails should be attached at different heights so they don’t trap water.
“You get what you pay for,” says Michael Rogers of Gale Pacific, who advises a couple of pre-purchase checks. “Firstly, always check the manufacturer’s UV warranty. They range from two to ten years and the cheaper fabrics will fade and break down after a couple of years.” He also says you should check that you will get sun protection. “High-density polyethylene can provide around 90% UV reduction, while allowing air to circulate and providing a cool space beneath the sail.”
 
Add a little shade for a more enjoyable and protected outdoor area this summer.