Shade sails come in different types. When you go shopping on outdoor shade sails for your property, you can notice that there are so many variations to choose from. It can be confusing to pick which one will serve the purpose you intended it for.

If you get yourself familiar with each type of shade sail, it would be easy for you to choose what is best for your property. In aiming to provide you with the necessary information you need, check out each type of shade sail below. Look for the one that best fits what you are looking for in shade sail and where you plan to install it.

Fixed Shade Sails

One type of shade sail you will surely come across is the fixed shade sail. This type of shade sail is the conventional design most homeowners opt for. It is a shade sail that is sewn together to create a 3D shape.

The fixed shade sail has multiple layers of shade cloth to ensure its strength. The shade sail edge is folded and hemmed with a stainless steel wire inserted for additional support. The design structure of the fixed shade sails allows them to be tensioned and pulled out tight during installation to avoid sagging.

This type of shade sail is the most common type of shade that is used widely in Australia. The reason behind this is that it is easy to install even without the help of builders.

It is an attractive outdoor shade solution that can protect from the sun and light rain. You can easily style your outdoor living space with the fixed shade sails option. Just choose the colour and shape according to your style concept and you will surely have a nice outdoor chilling space.

Moreover, this type of shade sail can also be used as a car park shade. Install posts on your driveway and install the shade sail to protect your car from any harmful elements of the weather. You will never have to worry about adding space to your house for that garage. A shade sail can provide protection to your car perfectly even when it is parked outside.

Retractable Shade Sails

In case you haven’t known it yet, shade sails also come in a retractable variety. The retractable shade sail comes in different options. You may notice that there are folding arm awnings and retractable folding shade sails. However, all of these different variations have the same core.

The only advantage of a retractable shade sail is its ability to retract when not being used. It may sound like a not so big difference, but this type of shade sail provides multiple opportunities for your outdoor area.

If the weather is not sunny, you can just retract the shade sail to enjoy the beauty of the clear sky. When the sun comes out or if it rains, you can easily open the shade sail to protect you and anything under it.

If you want to experience a shadeless night in your outdoor area, then you should opt to install the retractable shade sail. You can enjoy the nice climate during the evening and relax while gazing at the starry Australian sky.

Shade Cloths

What you will come across next would be the shade cloths. This shade sail type is the best choice for general use in houses. The block-out shade sails cloth is made from a high-grade material that can block 99% of UV from the sun.

This type of shade sail is best used in pool areas due to its UV block protection. However, when choosing to go for shade cloths, you must purchase from trusted sellers like the Coastwide Shade Sails. Avoid cheap shade cloths on hardware and untrusted online sellers.

We make sure that our shade sails are from trusted suppliers that are known for making high-quality shade sails. You can rest assured that our shade sails are made from high-density monofilament and tape for higher durability.

Shade cloths are also best used as a temporary shade. Additionally, if you are looking for protection in your vegetable garden, then the shade cloth can be the best option you must buy.

Portable Outdoor Shade Sails

Did you know that you can own a portable shade sail? If you love going on a picnic whether it is in a park, on the beach, or even on the lakeside, the portable shade sail will be a useful tool to keep you cool under the heat of the sun.

This type of shade sail is easy to carry and install anytime and anywhere. It has enough size that can give anyone in your family protection. What is most desirable with this product is that it does not confine you on each side which provides a cool and breezy experience.

You will never have to be restricted and feeling even hotter in a tent during a picnic, leave that for camping and bring the portable shade sails for the picnic. Small kids will surely enjoy picnics even more as they run around, in and out of the shade sail with no worries.

Picnics are not the only time you can use the portable shade sails. Because it is portable, you can as well use it in your backyard anytime you want and store it afterward. You can use it on your patio, your garden, and even on the porch.

Waterproof Shade Sails

If you wanted to keep an outdoor space dry during the winter months, then the waterproof shade sail type will be worth your money. Waterproof shade sails can still provide style on your outdoor space as it does not limits the design a shade sail can provide.

This type of shade sails is made from a resistant fabric that won’t let water pass through the material. Most people ask “Is shade sail waterproof?” Shade sail only becomes waterproof if it is made from waterproof fabric such as PVC, polyesters, or synthetic canvass. Otherwise, your shade sail will not be waterproof, and expect rain to still seep through the shade fabric.

You must remember that waterproof shade sail is different from water-resistant shade sails. Waterproof fabric is 100% impermeable fabric which gives you 100% protection from water no matter how long and how hard the rain is.

Water-resistant fabric on the other hand will only keep away water for a specific amount of time. If the rain will last longer or if it is strong, then expect the water-resistant shade fabric won’t be able to keep your outdoor space protected from the rain anymore.

So the next time that came across the options between waterproof and water-resistant, go for the waterproof as it is the one who can provide 100% water protection. You must remember this not only in choosing for shade sail but also for buying other products.

Attached Shade Sail

The next type of shade sail that is available in the market is the attached shade sail. It is the shade sail that is attached to a house or a shed structure. This type of shade sail is best used to avoid rainwater runoff. You can close the gap between the house or any structure to the shade sail which will prevent the rainwater from running off and keep whatever below protected and dry.

When opting for an attached shade sail, you must only install small shade sails and avoid large ones. You might need engineering in installing an attached shade sail as it is attached to your house or shed structure. You wouldn’t want to do some damage to your house, don’t you? So it is best that you do not self-install an attached shade sail unless you are a professional.

Umbrella Shade Sail

Another type of shade sail that might capture your attention is the umbrella shade sail. As the name suggests, it is an umbrella that is made using a shade sail fabric. The umbrella shade sail is the popular option for yard shade.

The most desirable feature of an umbrella shade sail is that you can install it anywhere you want. You can use it on your patio, your garden, or your porch. It can be installed easily and you will not have to worry about maintenance as the umbrella shade sail is very easy to maintain.

If this is the kind of shade sail you are looking for then look no further and purchase an umbrella shade sail.

Choose Shade Sail Wisely

With all the information you learned about shade sail, you can now start your shade sail purchase. You can also choose wisely now as you know each shade sail type that you will come across. As long as you know the purpose of the shade sail you will never choose the wrong one.