Category Archives: Shade Solutions

Outdoor Living Spaces, Shade Solutions

Shade Sails Are a Unique and Affordable Shading Solution

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Shade Sail Installed

Many Advantages Make Shade Sails an Ideal Choice

All that’s needed to create a shaded spot in an outdoor living area is one of the many available choices for shading. A few of these options include patio umbrellas, awnings, shade canopies, and shade sails. Patio umbrellas are a popular choice when only a small amount of shade is needed for a dining table or a cozy seating area. Awnings are another option that allow homeowners to protect a sizable portion of a patio or deck from sun exposure. Unfortunately, many homeowners do not care for the style of awnings, which can appear outdated and clash with more modern sensibilities. Shade canopies are a third option for outdoor areas, but they are intended for temporary use. All of these options have their place, but when all is said and done, they leave little room for creativity, and they don’t offer the right solution for spaces with unusual shapes and sizes.

Unique Good Looks

Shade sails offer homeowners a creative and contemporary means of providing shade for outdoor living spaces. They are readily available in standard shapes and sizes, but custom sails can be made to meet custom needs. Rectangles, squares, and triangles in a variety of appealing colors give homeowners the creative freedom to design the look of their outdoor areas and create as much or as little shade as desired. A truly original artistic and architectural look can be achieved with careful planning and placement of two or more shade sails.

Versatility without Limit

Because of their versatility, shade sails prove to be the ideal solution for a wide variety of situations. Not only can sails protect porches, patios, and decks from the sun, they can also provide protection for entry ways, children’s play areas, swimming pools, outdoor restaurants and cafes, and more. Shade sails are easy to install and can be attached to trees, patio columns, or homes. They can also be an exclusively free standing structure supported by wooden posts or steel columns embedded in concrete footings. Sails can stay up through the year or used seasonally; they are easy to take down and store.

Effective Performance

While appearance is an important consideration when choosing a shading option for outdoor areas, performance is just as vital, if not more. The best quality shade sails are made with superior outdoor fabrics that can block up to 95 percent of the sun’s damaging UV rays. Shade sail fabric is most often water resistant rather than waterproof. This allows the sail to breathe more effectively, which keeps the shaded area much cooler. Sails made with high quality fabrics are also able to withstand extremes of temperature and are fade and mildew resistant.

Unexpectedly Low Cost

Because of the many advantages shade sails offer — versatility, attractive appearance, and effectiveness — homeowners are often surprised to learn that shade sails are more affordable than many other types of options. But, low cost is just another advantage that makes shade sails an increasingly appealing solution for homeowners and business owners.

When combined, the advantages that shade sails offer set them far apart from the other choices available. Patio umbrellas, awnings, shade canopies, and most other options are simply unable to offer the same low cost, high quality performance and creative good looks.

Outdoor Living Spaces, Portable Fun, Shade Solutions

Offset Patio Umbrellas Provide Anywhere Shade

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Side Post Umbrella
Patio and market umbrellas are a great way to add a pop of color and an inexpensive shade solution to your backyard. Many of our umbrellas are designed to fit into a center hole on a patio table, but you can also find freestanding options to add shade anywhere, including on patios, lawns, or poolside. Our side post umbrellas come with a built in base that make them perfect for a multitude of applications. They cover a large area and provide a beautiful aesthetic to your outdoors. Our freestanding awnings cover an even larger area while remaining completely attachment free. No need to attach anything to your home or existing structures. If you are looking for a more traditional patio or market umbrella, such as our aluminum, teak, or wooden models, we offer a variety of stands and bases that make your umbrella stand alone anywhere you need!

Shade Solutions

Shade Cloth – Coolaroo vs. Commercial 95

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Shade Cloth over a Pergola

Shade Cloth Covered Pergola

What is the difference between Coolaroo and Commercial 95 Shade Cloth?

If you are looking for shade cloth to add to your porch, pergola, outdoor room, or other outside area, we have two varieties that offer varying levels of UV protection, features, and colors. Here is a breakdown of how the materials, Coolaroo and Commercial 95, differ.

Coolaroo Shade Fabric – Coolaroo fabric is knitted polyethylene weave that is “breathable” and allows air to circulate through and under the material. It is color fast and resistant to mold, mildew, rot, sun damage, and tearing. Coolaroo shade cloth is available in two varieties, 70% UV protection and 90% UB protection. The 70% fabric can be purchased in  Black, Sandstone, or Forest Green. The 90% fabric can be purchased in Grey, Heritage Green, or Wheat colors. It is only available as plain cloth (no custom sizes, hemming, grommets, etc.)

Commercial 95 Shade Cloth – Commercial 95 is a high density polyethylene knitted fabric that blocks up to 98% of UV rays. It is breathable, but not waterproof. Like Coolaroo, the material is resistant to mold, rot, sun damage, mildew, and tearing. Fabric is available in Aquatic Blue, Navy Blue, Sky Blue, Rivergum, Brunswick Green, Ochre Red, Cherry Red, Desert Sand, Steel Gray, Natural, Turquoise, Yellow, and Black, You can purchase Commercial 95 shade cloth by the linear yard, by the 3 meters wide by 40 meters long roll, or in custom-made pieces with hemmed edges. Grommets can be added at an additional cost.

Garden Tools & Tips, Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces, Shade Solutions

Build a Wooden Gazebo Quickly and Easily

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Wooden Gazebo Kit
Garden gazebos, when built with one of our kits, have never been easier to assemble. You simply lay your foundation and assemble one of our pre-cut plans. You even have the option of choosing a kit that has already been assembled into panels. Our site has instructional videos to help you visualize the process and each kit comes with detailed instructions to ensure that your assembly is as easy as possible.

Innovative Solutions, Outdoor Living Spaces, Shade Solutions

Shade Cloth Makes The Perfect Patio Cover

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Shade Cloth

Coolaroo and Commercial 95 Shade Cloth is a great solution for providing shade and comfort to your patio or pergola. Coolaroo’s knitted shade cloth fabric blocks 70% or 90% of the sun’s dangerous UV rays (depending on the fabric you choose) while “breathing” to allow air to circulate and keep the environment underneath cooler. It is color fast and also resistant to rot, mildew, or mold. Commercial 95 is a high density polyethylene knitted fabric specially designed to breathe. It will keep you cooler and more comfortable in hot weather. It blocks 85% of UV rays and offers the same resistance as Coolaroo. You can choose from a variety of colors and can order the cloth by the linear yard or in bulk by buying a full roll. Either cloth will provide a shady and UV protected cover for your patio or pergola.