By Andréana Lefton | Updated Mar 21, 2022 1:44 PM
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Harness the same look of a sail shade’s beauty and ingenuity at home. A shade sail is similar to a boat’s sail except it’s attached to a roof or an outdoor structure to form a canopy. Tilted or twisted overhead, shade sails offer protection from the sun on hot summer days.
Constructed from UV-resistant, high-density polyethylene fabric, these flexible membranes come in a range of colors, shapes, and sizes. Read on for some tips on choosing the best shade sail for your outdoor space and some of the most popular options currently available.
If you’re looking for a way to add shade to your outdoor space, a shade sail may be the best solution for you and your home. These beautiful backyard canopies block out harmful UV rays while adding elegance to your outdoor area. Here are a few things to consider when shopping for a quality shade sail.
Most shade sails are made of tightly woven, high-density polyethylene fabric (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or nylon fabric. Shade sails are installed by stretching the fabric and using tension to attach the corners of the shade to a stable structure (such as a roof, post, wall, or tree) via stainless steel D-rings and turnbuckles (stainless steel devices to adjust tension). If installed correctly, shade sails should provide a perfectly taut canopy.
Shade sails come in a variety of shapes and styles but are typically sold in three shapes: triangle, square, and rectangle. Of the three, the triangular sail is the most popular. This is because square sun shade sails tend to bow in the middle, due to a buildup of water. (They’re also not as elegant as their three-pointed counterpart.) Triangular sails are perfect for both small and large areas and can be layered for a more dramatic effect.
All shade sails should offer maximum sun-blocking power. Look for fabrics with 90 percent UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) or higher. Like sunscreen, sun shade sails are designed to protect your skin and eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Beyond UV protection, shade sails are built to withstand varied weather conditions, especially rain and wind. If you live in an area with harsh winters, you may want to stow your shade sail until spring.
The benefit of HDPE material is its stretchy breathability, allowing wind and rain to pass by without harming the shade itself. Although HDPE sails can withstand heat, wind, and rain, they’re not equipped to protect you during a storm. If you know there’ll be a strong thunderstorm or hurricane coming through, you should take your shade sails down to prevent them from getting damaged.
PVC is less breathable, but it creates the perfect waterproof shade sails. This is helpful if you want to use your shade sail during summer showers. In this case, you will need to position your sail at a slant, so it doesn’t collect water (leading to a heavy, sagging canopy).
Before settling on a sun shade sail, be sure to measure your outdoor space correctly. Leave a perimeter (1.5 to 2 feet) around the shaded area for the turnbuckles, which will attach the sail to your roof or other elevated structure. Remember: Shade sails are measured from the edge of their D-rings, which are fitted to each corner for hanging purposes. In most cases, you’ll need to purchase a hardware kit intended for either a triangle or rectangle sail.
Make sure to attach the hardware to a structurally sound point, like your home’s roof. Both rectangle and triangle shade sails are often installed at a slant to prevent rainwater from pooling. However, many residential shade sails are made with HDPE material, allowing water to pass through.
In this case, it is also possible to position them flat or twisted into a hyperbolic paraboloid (also known as a hypar twist). This three-dimensional shape is achieved by attaching one or two corners higher than the other corners. The benefit of a twist is a greater distribution of surface tension and a stronger shade sail overall. The end result is also beautiful aesthetically.
For another bold architectural effect, try installing overlapping shade sails. This extends your shady area without putting too much tension onto a single, big sail. When installing overlapping sails, make sure you leave a minimum of 12 inches between them. If not, wind and weather conditions can cause the sails to rub against each other, damaging the fabric over time.
Whether you have a postage stamp garden or a sprawling lawn, these hand-picked recommendations for shade sails cover outdoor areas of most shapes and sizes. The selection criteria for the best shade sail focuses on high-quality material, UV protection (more than 90 percent blockage), versatile features (color, size, and shape), sag-proof design, and longevity (five-plus years of use).
This Artpuch 10 foot by 13 foot, 185 GSM Rectangle Shade Sail has the materials, design, and specifications to meet nearly any outdoor space’s shade needs. The sail is made of 185 GSM in HDPE fabric, with stitched seams for extra reinforcement, and blocks up to 95 percent of ultraviolet rays during sunny weather.
Each corner has a durable stainless steel D-ring, making it safe and easy to hang and position the sail wherever you need it, without sagging or stretching. When measuring your space, allow for an additional 1.5 to 2 feet of space for the hardware and ropes (sold seperately).
Buyers won’t have to sacrifice quality for affordability with Shade&Beyond’s 2-Piece Triangle Sun Shade Sail. Constructed of 185 GSM UV-protected HDPE fabric, this set of quality shade sails features stitched seams and stainless steel D-rings at each corner. Thanks to its breathable design, you’ll be able to enjoy a light breeze. You also won’t have to deal with pooling water (it’s not waterproof).
Buyers can choose from grey and beige. Each sail measures 12 feet by 12 feet by 12 feet. The hanging kit isn’t included and will need to be sold separately. While the sail isn’t machine washable (or dryable), it’s easy to clean. A wet washcloth and some soap should do the trick.
Love Story’s triangle shade sail (16.5 feet by 16.5 feet by 16.5 feet) offers versatility without sacrificing design. Made of 100 percent 185 GSM HDPE material, this sail’s breathable fabric allows both breezes and light to pass through. It isn’t waterproof, so there’s no need to worry about sagging. It also blocks up to 98 percent of UV rays to keep you cool and protected.
The unique design has curved sides to enhance pull strength and prevent drooping. This also means that the actual shading area shrinks slightly—between 4 and 6 inches per side. Nylon rope and clips to stretch the sail tightly are sold separately. With a choice of six sizes and 11 colors or patterns, buyers can find a style and hue that works best for their outdoor space.
A quality shade sail like the Sunny Guard’s 16.5-foot triangular shade sail can transform a small patio into an oasis. With UV protection of up to 95 percent, this smaller version of the brand’s rectangle sail also is made of 185 GSM HDPE. It’s easy to set up in spring or summer and should be taken down in the winter.
The sail works best when hung with sturdy nylon ropes (included) at a 20- to 40-degree angle to allow water and dew runoff. The triangular shape is highly versatile, and several of the sails can go in various spots around a home or backyard. With the right hardware kit (sold separately), this sail should last for at least five years.
Whether you’re looking for a shade sail to blend perfectly into a home’s facade or you’re interested in finding a colorful way to add a bit of shade to your backyard or patio, Love Story’s rectangle sail is the perfect size (12 feet by 16 feet). The brand’s rectangle awning comes in 12 different colors and patterns. Similar to a few of the other top picks on this list, this shade sail is made of 100 percent 185 GMS in HDPE fabric, has stainless steel D-rings at each corner, and sports a slight curve to prevent drooping.
This sag-free design shrinks the overall shaded area slightly (4 to 6 inches per side), so it requires careful measurement before purchasing, allowing 1.5 to 2 feet of extra space on each side to accommodate hardware and rope. Installing two or more of these sails side by side can shade larger areas. The Love Story sail includes nylon ropes, but the hardware is sold separately.
Fit is essential when it comes to shade sails, so if you’re not one to leave fit to chance, you’ll appreciate Amgo’s rectangle sun shade sail. Buyers can choose from dozens of unique sizes, unlike other brands that come in just a few standard sizes. The Amgo sail also boasts nine bold colors, all of which block UV rays by up to 95 percent.
This sun shade sails’ measurements run from D-ring to D-ring, and the actual sail should be 0.5- to 1-foot shorter than the distance between mounting points. While hardware does not come with this sail, it has durable, breathable HDPE fabric. Amgo finishes the sail with heavy-duty webbing inside the seamed edges to prevent fraying and help keep the sail taut in sun, wind, or rain.
For an aesthetically pleasing option with ample UV protection, the rectangular Artpuch sail shade is made with HDPE fabric, has a 185 GSM rating, reinforced seams, and stainless steel D-rings built into every corner. As a budget-friendly alternative, the triangular Shade&Beyond sailed shade is made with UV-protected HDPE fabric, has a 185 GSM rating, D-rings in each corner, and is breathable enough to allow light breezes through.
We researched the most sought-after shade sails in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by their materials, size, shape, sun protection, GSM rating, and other special features included by top brands.
When we were searching for the best shade sails available, the rectangular and triangular options shared equal popularity and came with 185 GSM HDPE fabric for ample weather-resistance. Each of our selected picks also comes with ample sun protection from UV rays as well as multiple size options and colorways. Some options also come with D-rings attached in each corner for easy hanging.
For added durability, some of the shade sails above also have reinforced seams, nylon ropes, and/or drooping designs to prevent water from pooling and dripping all over your patio furniture. However, be advised that many options do not come with hooks or hanging hardware.
These sleek, architectural canopies are a beautiful addition to any home. But before you click “add to cart,” here are a few common questions and answers to read over before making your final purchase.
Choosing the best shade sail for your home should start with measurements. Be sure to take down the measurements of where you hope to place the shade. Then, determine whether a triangular or rectangular shape would be better and where you would fix the corners to keep the shade sail taut.
If your shade sail is waterproof, you’ll need to angle it so that the water can run off.
It depends. Shade sails made of HDPE are typically breathable, allowing rain to pass through. Sails made of PVC or explicitly labeled as “waterproof” will keep the rain out (but should be installed at an angle to prevent rain from pooling in the canopy).
With stainless steel D-rings attached to each corner of the shade sail and hardware fixed to stable, elevated points.
The longevity of your shade sail will depend on the weather conditions of your hometown and whether you leave it outdoors all year long.
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