The Shade Sail Boutique UK
Elegant sun protection from AustraliaWhat is a shade sail
|
|
A shade sail is a modern solution designed to create shade and to protect you and your loved ones from the sun's harmful UV rays.
The modern shade sails were developed in Austrlia in the 1960s. Essentially a flexible membrane tensioned between several anchor points, the shade sail is loosely based on a ships sail, hence its name. Hung horizontally between fixing points, the shade sail is used to create a shaded area underneath the canvass rather than to catch the wind, the basic design concept of a ships sail. As a large canvas structures, a shade sail will be affected by any strong winds and the larger the area of the shade sail, the greater these forces will be. For this reason shade sails need to be installed under tension, with the curved sides of a shade sail specifically designed to allow tension to be applied along the perimeter. Depending on the climate, a shade sail may be installed all year round (permanent) or removed during the winter monther months (semi-permanent). In countries such as Australia and south Africa, shade sails are generally installed permanently, but in many parts of Europe they are removed during the winter. This is for two pricipal reasons. Firstly in case of snow. If snow accumulates on the shade sail then thee weight of the snow can damage the shade sail or the fixings. The second reason is sunlight. A shade sail is very good at blocking sunlight which in the summer is very desirable. In colder climates, however, people generally want as much sunlight as possible during the winter months and many people take down the sail for the winter to allow as much light as possible to enter their garden. Shade sails are widespread in both residential and commercial environments. They are extensively used in shade childrens play area, to provide shade in carparks, to cover swimming pools and anywhere else where protection from the sun is needed. As well as creating shade, Australian shade sail has been specifically designed to give the maximum protection from the sun's dangerous UV. which we now know is responsible for causing most sunburn and is also the major factor affecting the risk of skin cancer. |
|
In mediterranean countries, sailors have been hanging their boat sails between masts (and other handy fixing points) for thousands of years to escape from direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. This unplanned used of sails probably dates from the earliest origins of sail boats.
Historical docements attest to the first organised use of boat sails to create shade dating from the time of the Roman empire although anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that the Greeks also frequetly used their sails for this purpose hundreds of years before the Romans documented their use. According to the Roman documents, boat sails were commandeered regularly for festivals and other large gathering of people when they were hung above communla area. Festivals at the Colosseum in Rome often used boat sails suspended above the crowds to create shade in the hottest parts of the day. Boat sails were ideal for creating shade in these times. They were generally amongst the largest pieces of fabric that would have been available and for any sea faring nation, they would have been readily on hand. |
|
|
The reinvention of the shade sail into its modern form began in Australia in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s when HDPE fabric was invented by Coolaroo’s parent company, Gale Pacific. This new fabric was the first to block the suns’s harmful UV and Gale Pacific remain the worlds leading manufacturer to this day. Over the years the fabric has evolved and improved and thanks to Coolaroo, it is believed that shade sails are now more numerous in Australia than kangaroos!
Shade sails have traditionalls been most popular in hot, dry countries. As awareness of the dangers of over exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays has become more accepted, customers living in even less hot climates realise that having protection from the sun, especially during the hottest times of the day, is becomming essential. |
|
|
|
|
For many decades our shade sails have been offering customers proven protection from the sun harmful UV ray. Our shade sails allow you enjoy spending time relaxing outdoors, for as many hours as you like. In Australia, shade sails are seen as such an important defense against the sun that in some states they are mandatory in some locations including schools and kindergartens.
Shade sails are a less expensive shade solution when compared to more solid structures such as gazebos and pergolas. Once installed, our shade sails do not require maintenance other than occasionally cleaning and checking that they are tensioned correctly. As long as this is done, then a shade sail is a very durable product and will provide you with long lasting protection against the suns harmful UV rays. |
|
Unique amongst shade solutions, the shade sail was specifically created to protect against the sun’s harmful rays. The product was also developed to encourage people to shelter beneath the canopy and this shade sails were made using knitted HDPE strands so that air could pass through the fabric. This has two significant advatages.
The knitted fabric of our shade sails means that they are not waterproof. When installed at an angle, however, in practice most rain water will flow off of the sides. Waterproof shade sails are now also available, but these trap hot air beneath the canopy on the hottest days creating a less inviting environment when you need to shield yourself the most. Tests have shown that the shade beneath a waterproof shade sail can be up to 5 degrees warmer than a traditional, knitted shade sail. | |
|
We offer customers shade sails from market leading Australian manufacturers. Our shade sails will give you long lasting UV which has been proven over many decades in Australia.
To order your shade sail, please select the required size and colour for your needs then use the shopping cart to proceed to the paypal secure payment system. Here you can complete your order using any bank card or by using a paypal account if you have one. Once your order has been complete we will dispatch your shade sail within 2 working days. |
|
|
113/UKEN/11302
In the middle of the 20th century Australia found itself in the unenviable position of having one of the highest rates of skin cancer patients in the world. Since the 1960s the government of Australia have brought forward numerous innovations in a desire to significantly reduced this problem. One of the main innovations has been the extensive use of shade sail. Many thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs, sails were removed from boats and suspended between trees to create a shaded area below. These practices lasted for many generations, but the aim was always the same. The ancient Egyptians wished to create shade for large public gatherings, mainly at festivals, using materials readily available locally. This use of sails continued through te centuries and in different cultures. The Romans frequently used sails in this way. Documents prove that during festivals the Colosseum in Rome was often bedecked with hanging sails to help protect the spectators. The practice was also common throughout the Roman empire. Many years later in the mid 20th century, the shade sail was re-imagined using new materials to offer protection not only from he heat of the sun, but also from the sun's harmful UV rays. With skin cancer becoming a major concern across Australia, new HDPE fabrics which block the sun's harmful UV rays were developed and the use of traditional sails was replaced by these new fabrics, specially designed block UV and to create the coolest shade possible. The use of knitted fabrics allow air to pass through the modern shade sail, ensuring that warm air is not trapped underneath the canopy making the shade as cool as possible. Using knitted fabric has several key advantages. Allowing any breezes to pass through the fabric helps in cooling those below, while also allowing warm air to escape. Knitted fabrics are also stronger and more flexibility so that the fabric can be "twisted" into interesting shapes during installation. This twisting would not be possible with less flexible fabrics. The modern shade sails are able to be installed in a number of different ways, and combing multiple shade sails and using the twisting of the fabric can create interesting structures as well as blocking the sun's harmful UV rays. A good quality shade sail is an inexpensive but reliable protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. There are many other solution for creating shade such as parasols and awnings, but none of these shading solutions deal with the UV problem. If you or your loved ones wish to spend a lot of time outdoors, then installing a shade sail to cover your outdoor seating area, swimming pool, paddling pool or the children's play area is a wise investment. The Australian experience over the last 50 years clearly demonstrates that UV protection is essential in the fight against serious health conditions which can be caused by over exposure to the harmful effects of the sun. A shade sail is designed to be stretched between fixing points. To function effectively the attachment points need to be strong enough to withstand this stretching. Three attachment points such as a post or a fixing on a solid wall will be required for a triangular shade sail, four attachment point are required for a square shade sail or for a rectangular shade sail. Shade sails are used extensively around the world in both commercial and residential environment. In residential environments they are often installed in gardens, usually with one side attached to the house, to wooden or metal posts, to large trees or to custom structures. Shade sails are also frequently installed on a terrace, on roof gardens or to create a car port, sheltering vehicles during the hottest parts of the day. When planning your shade sail installation you will need to consider how the sun moves across sky and what times of the day it is most important for you to have the shade you need. The sun is at its strongest at midday and in the early afternoon, and this is usually when shade is most needed. You should also consider the movement of the sun in the afternoon and perhaps adjust the position of your shade sail to also provide shade later in the day, perhaps when you are sitting outside with a glass of wine. Haing already conquered Australia, South Africa and the USA, shade sails are rapidly gaining in popularity throughout Europe. A shade sail is relatively inexpensive way to transform any outdoor space, a shade sail can create a cool oasis in the garden during the hottest days and also blocks the sun's harmful UV rays. As well as the health benefits of having an area free from the harmful rays of the sun, shade sails can also add character to your home. Shade sail encourage people to spend more time outdoors enjoying the fresh air, while ensuring that those sheltering beneath the canopy are protected from the dangerous UV rays and excessive heat. UV protection is especially important for young children. Creating safe shade over a children's paddling pool or sand pit will allow them to play happily outside for many hours without destroying the house. For teenagers who often get lost in books or tablets while sunbathing, a shade sail could help avoid the "lobster" effect often seen with this age group whereby they simply spend too much time in the sun, resulting in a painful looking pink color. For commercial environments a shade sail offers many possibilities. During the hot summer months, a shade sail can create and outdoor area where staff can escape from their office desk, perhaps working on their laptop computer, perhaps having a meeting with colleagues or maybe just having a coffee break. As seems to happen with every product, as the shade sail became commercially successful, cheap imitations began to appear on the market. These new products focused almost exclusively on reducing cost rather than maintaining the quality and high level of UV protection. Whilst this sort of price competition is not a problem with all products, with shade sails it can be a very serious problem. The main purpose of the shade sail is to give customers reliable protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. The cheaper copies do not block UV reliably. Like sun tan lotions, whilst there are many different manufacturers selling products at different prices, we all want to buy products that we can rely on and which we have faith will protect us. We do not compromise on quality. The HDPE fabric used in the manufacture of our shade sails is of the highest quality. Each strand is treated individually to increase the life of the product and to ensure that it offers the best levels of UV protection. The borders of our shade sails are made to be extremely strong as we know that this is where the forces caused by the wind will be concentrated. Our fixings are also strong to withstand strong winds and they are made of the marine grade stainless steel, to ensure that they do not rust and that no rust can leech on the shade sail and discolor the fabric. The Shade Sail Boutique offers customers the best quality Australian shade sails with the best UV protection built into every fiber. We stock only those shade sails that we would be happy to use to protect our own loved ones.
Yes, absolutely. Installing a shade sail at your property will create a focal area in your garden, with a table and chairs it is almost like adding an extra room. People buy homes for lifestyle reasons, and the idea of enjoying a meal under a shade sail in the garden is appealing to many people.
Yes, very important. The harmful effects of the sun cannot be denied, and we must take steps to limit exposure. The best sunscreens block 95% plus of the sun's rays and give you the best protection outdoors. No, the sun has a different effect on each color, so each color will have a slightly different percentage. In general darker colors will block more of the suns harmful UV rays, so for example a dark grey sail might block 95% UV while the same fabric in white might block 93%. The percentage of uv blocking will vary greatly between different brands of shade cloth. The best quality shade sails will retain their UV blocking characteristics for many years, whilst inferior brands will deteriorate after a relatively short period of time. Yes, a light and stable fabric is very important when it comes to the stresses that the shade sail will be subjected to. A light but strong, well-tensioned shade sail subjected to extreme weather conditions will not put excessive pressure on the supporting structure, provided the structure is sufficiently designed and installed. Shade sails are rapidly growing in popularity, a pattern which is not likely to change any time soon. Shade sails offer customers a very cost effective way to provide protection from the sun and for many people will extend their living area out into the garden. Colors are a personal choice but there are clear patterns. Kindergarten's general choose bright and cheerful colors, possibly with several different colors used together. Combining a number of shade sails of different colors to create bespoke designs has increased considerably over the last few years, both with commercial and domestic clients alike. When you consider the total cost of installing a shade sail (or several shade sails) and the lifetime of the product, then the shade sail is by far the cheapest solution for creating safe shade. Many people today chose this option over more traditional options such as building with wood or stone. Very little. Basic maintenance consists of cleaning shade sail with a hose pipe if it becomes dirty and inspection of the fasteners on each corner of the shade sail to ensure that the tension is correct. This is usually all that is necessary to ensure your shade sail will last for many years. A shade sail will add a modern and elegant touch to any outdoor space. They are a great option when considering ways to provide shade. You will be able to escape the harsh sun while still enjoying the feeling of being outside. They are relatively simple to install, and any DIY enthusiast should be able to do this. Most shade sails advertise that they block a percentage of the sun's UV rays. It is best to choose a shade sail that offers a high amount of UV protection. It is also important to check that the fabric has a guarantee against UV degradation, otherwise you could find that the UV block deteriorates rapidly. It is also best to have fabrics that can breathe as this helps you stay cool. Look carefully at the construction of the shade sails to find the quality that suits you. The quality of the shade sail available on the market vary considerably. We would always advise that you buy the best shade sail you can find, with high levels of UV protection and a long lasting manufacturers warranty. Measure the maximum area that your shade sail should cover and reduce each length by 10 to 15%. Your shade sail should be less than this area. At each corner of the sail you need to allow a gap between the corner of the shade sail and the attachment point that is at least 10% of the length of the sail. This will allow sufficient space for the fixings and will also allow for the stretching of the shade sail. Shade sails look better when you fix each corner of the sail at a different height. This will create a slope which will also allow rain water to flow towards the edges. When determining the position of your shade sail, it is important to keep in mind that the sun is constantly moving across the sky from east to west. The shade create will therefore not always be directly under the sail. Unique among semi-permanent shade solutions such as umbrellas, canopies, awnings, etc, the shade sail was not developed to solely to create shade ; in fact the main objective behind the development is UV protection. Although this is a subtle difference, it is also important. Once the uv protection was achieved, the secondary objective was the creation of a pleasant an environment as possible in hot weather. The original Shade Sail was therefore developed using knitted fabric rather than impermeable cloth. This design allows hot air to rise through the fabric and for any breezes to also pass through. It was discovered that using a solid fabric often traps hot air beneath making the 'shaded' area much less comfortable than the surrounding area. A Shade Sail is a inexpensive, simple solution designed to protect from the sun's harmful UV rays. Prolonged exposure to the sun was identified as a major cause of skin cancer some time ago. The desire of many countries to significantly reduce the number of people suffering from skin cancer resulted in a number of innovations in recent years, especially for the protection of children. The Shade Sail was developed in Australian for this specific purpose. The modern shade sail first appeared in Australia in the 1970s as the outdoors lifestyle, so important for most Australians, was leading to increasing levels of skin cancer. Eventually the Australian government decided to sponsor projects to reverse this trend and the Shade Sail is now one of the major defenses now employed to protect Australians against the harmful effects of the sun. Since their introduction two things have changed in Australia .... the numbers of people who contract skin cancer are much lower ... and shade sails are now a common sight in both commercial and private environments. To date the shade sail can be found in over 40 countries to create safe, shaded areas in schools and children's play areas. The Shade Sail Boutique offer the very best quality shade sails made from the best fabric, with reinforced edges and high quality stainless steel fixings. Our shade sail offers you not only outstanding uv Protection but in addition they will extend your outside space and that will look good over many years. Installing multiple shade sails can create interesting architectural shapes (see our inspiration page), but even a single shade sail can create interesting shapes. "Twisting" a rectangular shade sail creates a very pleasing shape and using chains to increase the distance between the sail and the fixing point can make the shade sail appear to float over an area ...... Our Shade Sail are of the highest quality. We use only the best shade cloth fabric, very strong reinforced borders along every edge of the shade sail and marine grade stainless steel fixings. UV Protection is literally woven into our shade cloth during its manufacture (unlike many other shade sails where protection is applied as a coating after manufacture thus limiting the protection and longevity of these products) which enables the manufacturer to give a 5, 10 or even 15 year warranty on their products against UV deterioration. Quality - Our products are of the highest quality and are manufactured by Australia's leading supplier. As with so much else in life, you do 'get what you pay for'. Buy the best.
|