apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

These sail canopies are fantastic.
I stayed in a house (owned by Australians) where they were used . . . excellent solution. They also had an outdoor living room -- it looked like a large American carport built of brick and open at both ends...I guess you'd call it a breezeway. Of the other two walls, one was attached to the house, and the other was a brick with a huge fireplace built in...
I don't have pictures.

I recently bought some for very cheap on overstock. com

We love our shade sails! It's just part of the common landscape down here. I've seen them used on everything from minimalist modern homes to even more traditional architectural structures.
We have a very outdoor culture here so they're fairly common.

What about wind? We have a roof deck on our building and need some shade, but I'm concerned that these sails would pick up and sail over the side and down Ave A?

They work with a wonderful adjustable tensioning system, or so I've seen. Even in some of the more windy areas around Sydney on the harbour I've seen them completely maintain their hold without buckling or bubbling in the breeze.

I found my coolaroo at Overstock.com and love it.
We get a lot of breeze and wind and haven't had a problem in two years.

Are they waterproof? Here in the PacNW, we can outside nearly all winter, but it's the rain that gets you!

regards,
trillium

Trillium, they are totally waterproof as they are made out of some kind of poly weave. since they are woven, they let through the wind and the water a bit, which reduces the wind problem.

This is also a website which custom sells this stuff: http://www.thenaturalhome.com/shadecloth.htm#custompanel

I ordered some from BackyardCity.com and they arrived in just a few days.

They even offer a shade sail made of waterproof Sunbrella, but its a bit pricey but still cheaper than a covered porch or pergola.

I've recently purchased a shade sails from great company called 'wholesale shade australia'. They have recently set up in Los Angeles and provide great service. You can find them at http://www.wholesaleshade.com.au.

Have a look. You can even get DIY shade sails delivered straight to your door within seven days of purchase.

A great alternative to shade sails are giant patio umbrellas. Designed and imported from Australia, these things are great. They have a great range including patio umbrellas that rotate 360 degrees and are easily collapsable. You can check out their product range at http://www.giantumbrellacompany.com
Umbrellas are perfect for the patio!

A great alternative to shade sails are giant patio umbrellas. Designed and imported from Australia, these things are great. They have a great range including patio umbrellas that rotate 360 degrees and are easily collapsable. You can check out their product range at http://www.giantumbrellacompany.com
Patio umbrellas really give you the freedom to add shade when and where you want it.

There's a great site that sells custom size shade sails online with an instant quotation system. The company is an Oakland based joint-venture with an Australian company thats been making sails for years. They even have a design service that helps you with a custom shade structure design. Check them out at https://www.shadesailsusa.com

Our company is the largest manufacturer of HDPE and Dacron shade sail in China,our shade sails are qualified.
If you are interested in our products,please don not hesitate sending email to me,I will reply your mails very shortly.

My email address as follows,michaelpeng3@yahoo.com,my factory can both make shade sail with pre-made and custom-made specification.

Hello everyone,my company can supply shade sails made with Waterproof material now,100% waterproof shade sail,weight of the fabric is 160gram/SM,also can block about 80% harmful UV rays.
Our quality is no worse than other suppliers,but price is much better than others'.
We will ship the sails by Express,the sails can reach you within 4 working days,TNT,UPS,DHL are all available for my company.
Shipping costs will be surely required.
IF you want the shade sails from my factory,please send emails to michelpeng3@yahoo.com

Ive been installing shade sails and membraine structures around the world for years. I recently stayed in Australia for the ACASPA awards and notice this inovative company doing amazing things with fabrics. Check out there web site www.alfrescoshade.com.au

Hi, does the shade sails allow visibility. I'm wondering if I could use this on my terrace (12 floors up to keep the sun off my furniture yet allow the brightness of the eastern sun to filter in or would it be dark. I'd really love to get rid of blinds and curtains.

Help can anyone tell me if shade sails are see through as I am considering installing them to solve a nosey neighbour problem.They look great but the size I need has to be custom and will cost over $10,000 therfeore I want to make sure before Ibut, if it works its cheaper than moving housdee,


Thanks

My mother in law gave us a shade sail. I love it and it works!

I'm just curious how all these sales people are posting on here now...ro were they always and I missed it? Is it annoying, Maxwell?

Are they able to automatically sign up in some way?

I have something similar for camping, it's better than a square canopy.

temporary / party solution:
You can acheive the same experience by buying 99cent/yard stretchy fabric at any discount fabric store. Fabric, twisty ties and a solid base (existing or installed) and you have something pretty nice for your day or evening party. christmas lights behind the fabric is pretty too.
you can cut the twisty ties, or hide them with more decorations.

I use one of this in lieu of a carport (connected to the house on one side and posts on the other), and absolutely love it.

The only word of warning I'd offer is to be careful in the winter, because they can collect ice during an icestorm.

We bought our Coolaroo shades from SkyMall -- the catalog in the airplane seat pocket! Great delivery, great product! www.skymall.com

Hi everyone,
Came across this website blog, and thought best to post some technical and supplier information. Our company Billabong Shade have been a specialist designer and installer of shade sails for over 15 years. The shade sail industry is full of backyard operators and there is a lot of mis-information about what they are and what they can do. There is also a serious problem of imported sails coming in from China. They are of a real poor quality and made with less than equal shade fabric (HDPE) and very lightweight corner rings. Of the mass produced sails Coolaroo is still an ok purchase. A good shade cloth fabric should be no less than 330gsm and these are not waterproof, however a good design should shed water to the lowest points. Shade sails should not sag nor should they flap in the wind, they should be rigid enough for the average person to walk acoss. If you want a waterproof sail then you should look at a good quality PVC. To find a good supplier please visit www.acaspa.com.au this is our professional shade sail association in Australia or visit us at www.billabongshade.com.au we are always happy to help and have an agent in Arizona and have shipped many sails to the USA

I found another great resource for outdoor shade structures. They aren’t shade sails, but rather very large off set and hanging patio umbrellas . They even had some that were half umbrellas as well and some that would actually hang from the wall. Pretty cool stuff.