What to Look for When Buying Waterproof Shade Sails
Whenever shade sails are mentioned, most people think of shade sails that are made of cloth and provide them with unlimited protection from the sun's UV rays. These standard shade sails are more popular as they are both attractive and affordable, but they have one major problem—they are not waterproof. However, there are waterproof shade sails that can give you double protection from the harmful UV rays and also provide for safety when it rains. Picking the right waterproof shade sail can be a challenge, but the following are two crucial things to consider before settling on the right one:
- The Material they are Made of: The material used in making the shade is crucial as you don't want a shade that protects you from the rain, but gets unbearably hot during hot weather due to the greenhouse effect under the shade. You want a shade that is waterproof while at the same time, cool enough to provide you with comfort and aeration during hot weather. Waterproof shade sails are made of a woven High-Density Polyethylene (HDP), plasticizers and Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), which is used to coat a woven polyester yarn. The purpose of the PVC is to deliver a protective weather barrier while the HDP and the polyester yarn are used to provide some degree of porosity, which allows the hot air to escape through the fabric. The addition of plasticizers further makes the shade flexible and portable, making them ideal for outdoor camping and easy installation
- Warranty: The durability of the waterproof shade and an assurance on the life of the shade is also an important thing to consider before buying a watershed sail shade from a vendor. Compared to the cloth shades, waterproof shades are meant to last longer and serve better and, therefore, you should get a guarantee on the waterproof shade sail's durability. The vendor should offer you a warranty of more than 5 years on the shade sail before you pay for one. Additionally, it is important to note that waterproof shade sails are typically arranged in different grades, each with a different durability. Each grade has a different tear strength and tensile strength and they can last from 5 to 15 years, depending on the grade you pay for. The warranty will cover you and provide assurance that the one you picked is meant to last for the guaranteed period.
Waterproof shade sails are becoming more and more popular today with many commercial and domestic sites installing them in their open spaces. These water resistant sails not only offer protection against the heat from sunlight, but also come in handy during unexpected showers and wet weather. They are a cheap and sustainable alternative to the permanent solid structures that may rot or rust.