Triangle, rectangle and square shade sail - Buy now

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 acheived, the secondary objective was the creation of a pleasant an environment as possible in hot weather. The Shade Sail was therefore developed using stitched fabric threads 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 less comfortable than the surrounding area.

A Shade Sail is a inexpensive, simple solution designed to protect from the sun's harmful UV rays.

Exposure to the sun was identified as a major cause of skin cancer some time ago. The desire of many countries to combat the rise in the number of people suffering from skin cancer has 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 1980s as the outdoors lifestyle, so important for Austrlian's, was leading to increasing levels of skin cancer. Eventually the government decided to sponsor projects to reverse this trend and the Shade Sail is now one of the major defences now employed to protect Australians against the harmful effects of the sun. Since their introcution two things have changed in Australia .... the numbers of people who contract skin cancer are much lower ... and shade sails are a common sight in commercial and private environments.

To date the Shade Sail can be found in over 40 other countries to create safe, shaded areas in schools and childrens 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 also a quality product that installed correctly will add interest to your outside space and will continue to perm and look good over many years.

Installing multiple Shade Sails can create interesting architectural shapes (see out inspiration page), but even individually a shade sail can create interesting shapes and at interest to your outside space. "Twisting" a rectangular shade sail creates a very pleasing shape and using extended chains can make the shade sail appear to float ......

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 us to give a 10 year warranty 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.

Reinforced edging - Instead of turning and sewing the fabric as do other companies, we use an extremely strong border along the perimeter.

Easy to install - No professional installation. Visit our Installation Guide for more information. We can supply all stainless steel accessories necessary for installation.

We offer a variety of colours and sizes which allows installation in places that would normally be difficult to equip.

Available to order via the internet. As we have no shop or associated overheads we are able to offer products of superb quality, outstanding service and fast delivery.

Throughout the world, and particularly in Australia, skin cancer has been recognised as a growing problem over the last few generations and the fight against this disease has resulted in a number of inovations, especially for the protection of children. Shade Sails are one of the major defences now employed to protect against the harmful effects of the sun and are used extensively in Australia, America and 40 other countries to create safe, shaded areas in schools and childrens play areas.

Manufactured to 'commercial' quality and with over 60,000 satisfied worldwide customers, the reputation of the company is second to none. This is reinforced by the fact that 'Sail Shade World' are chosen time and time again by schools, businesses, local governments and the public for a variety of projects including public playgrounds, car parks, shopping centers, public swimming pools, restaurants and a host of other public areas.

The are many options for creating shade in your outside space. The erection of a gazebo, awning, Canopy or the use of a parasol have been the solution for many years. With uv protection becoming a more important consideration, shade Sails have grown in popularity as they are designed to protect from the sun, whilst small holes in the fabric allow a breeze to pass. Our premium quality products really are the coolest solution for uv protection under the sun.

The shade sails we know today are a very modern investion from the 1970's. They were invented in Australia by Gale Pacific, the parent company of Coolaroo, based on a novel UV blocking fabric (HDPE) created by the company.

Whilst the fabric and the blocking of the sun's harmful UV rays is new, the use of ships sails to create shade has actually been in use for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Syrians, Greeks, and Romans all used boat sails and other large pieces of fabric to provide shade, especially in public areas on public holidays.

In Egypt, market stalls were often shaded by pieces of fabric that were described as “woven mats”. On feast days and festivals at the Colosseum in Rome, shade was frequently provided by removing canvas sails from boats and hanging them above public areas around the stadium. Cloth was lifted above the Colosseum using ropes to create the Velarium, a construction made on a timber frame, fully moveable, and highly effective.

Sea faring nations clearly understood the benefits of using sails to protect themselves from the sun, and so nation such as the Romans, Greeks, and others frequently used sails for this alternative purpose. Suspending pieces of knitted cloth to provide shade soon became popular in peoples homes as well as festivals and so the awning was created.

The concept of these basic awnings traveled across continents with the Roman army, and soon dwellings far and wide took advantage of the idea. These awnings evolved into many forms from the awnings used to protect market stalls or shop entrances from heat and rain, to the handheld parasol.

By the end of the 18th century, awnings were in use in many countries and different variations quickly developed.

The modern shade sails popularity began in the 1970's and 1980's with the invention of the inexpensive UV blocking HDPE fabric. This fabric is UV stabilised (so does not discolour or become brittle in strong sunlight), waterproof and lightweight, so perfect for outdoor use.

Initially the modern shade sail spread around hotter climates such as Australia, Asia, South Africa and parts of America. In recent years they have also spread in large numbers to Europe where they are used in commercial and residential environments. Many communal areas such as play grounds and rest areas as well as schools, restaurants and bars have installed modern UV blocking shade sails. Frequently you now see multiple shade sails installed together to create unique designs as well as providing shade.

So in summary, the shade sail has been creating much needed shade for thousands of years. The modern shade sail however incorporates some very up to date materials to provide not just shade, but shade that is safe from the sun's harmful UV rays.

The shade sails we know today are a very modern investion from the 1970's. They were invented in Australia by Gale Pacific, the parent company of Coolaroo, based on a novel UV blocking fabric (HDPE) created by the company.

Whilst the fabric and the blocking of the sun's harmful UV rays is new, the use of ships sails to create shade has actually been in use for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Syrians, Greeks, and Romans all used boat sails and other large pieces of fabric to provide shade, especially in public areas on public holidays.

In Egypt, market stalls were often shaded by pieces of fabric that were described as “woven mats”. On feast days and festivals at the Colosseum in Rome, shade was frequently provided by removing canvas sails from boats and hanging them above public areas around the stadium. Cloth was lifted above the Colosseum using ropes to create the Velarium, a construction made on a timber frame, fully moveable, and highly effective.

Sea faring nations clearly understood the benefits of using sails to protect themselves from the sun, and so nation such as the Romans, Greeks, and others frequently used sails for this alternative purpose. Suspending pieces of knitted cloth to provide shade soon became popular in peoples homes as well as festivals and so the awning was created.

The concept of these basic awnings traveled across continents with the Roman army, and soon dwellings far and wide took advantage of the idea. These awnings evolved into many forms from the awnings used to protect market stalls or shop entrances from heat and rain, to the handheld parasol.

By the end of the 18th century, awnings were in use in many countries and different variations quickly developed.

The modern shade sails popularity began in the 1970's and 1980's with the invention of the inexpensive UV blocking HDPE fabric. This fabric is UV stabilised (so does not discolour or become brittle in strong sunlight), waterproof and lightweight, so perfect for outdoor use.

Initially the modern shade sail spread around hotter climates such as Australia, Asia, South Africa and parts of America. In recent years they have also spread in large numbers to Europe where they are used in commercial and residential environments. Many communal areas such as play grounds and rest areas as well as schools, restaurants and bars have installed modern UV blocking shade sails. Frequently you now see multiple shade sails installed together to create unique designs as well as providing shade.

So in summary, the shade sail has been creating much needed shade for thousands of years. The modern shade sail however incorporates some very up to date materials to provide not just shade, but shade that is safe from the sun's harmful UV rays.