Shade sails have been in use for decades, however, it’s only recently that they have started growing rapidly popular among homeowners – and not just business owners with cafes and beer gardens. But, what’s all the hype about? How can having a shade sail in your garden benefit you? And in the same breath, are there any notable disadvantages that might put you off making your purchase? In this article, we’ll outline everything you need to know so that you can make the right decision for yourself.
The advantages of having shade sails in your garden
So, what are the primary advantages of having shade sails set up in your garden? Let’s take a closer look…
They’re environmentally friendly
One of the biggest things that influence purchasing decisions today is to what extent a product has on the environment during the production process. The good news is that shade sails are very eco-friendly and don’t have much of an impact on the environment at all.
- Most shade sails can be made from recyclable materials which significantly reduces any need for new materials during the manufacturing process.
- The application of shade sails reduces the amount of timber required to make extensions and/or shaded verandas.
- Using shade sails in the summer can also reduce your energy consumption at home. For example, rather than feeling the need to sit inside to get some shade and escape the heat, you can sit under a shade sail comfortably.
They offer protection against various weather elements
Sitting out in the sun under the intense UV rays for too long can be incredibly harmful to the skin, leading to a multitude of potential ailments, including skin cancer. With some quality shade sails in your garden, however, you can spend more time outside enjoying the beautiful weather without putting yourself at unnecessary risk.
Additionally, you can use a shade sail for shelter during a gentle rain, allowing you to enjoy the ambience of a little downpour without needing to be inside.
Good air circulation
A well-placed shade sail can promote the circulation of cool air in and around your property, as well as block the sun from entering certain parts of your home at certain parts of the day. In fact, a shade sail can reduce the temperature of a covered area by at least 10 degrees or more.
They’re affordable and easy to setup
Shade sails are an easy and affordable alternative to building an extension on your property. And the best part? They can be just as easily removed should you decide to get rid of them.
While other structures can typically take weeks to set up (not to mention to the cost of labour and materials), shade sails can be erected in a fraction of that time.
Simply research shade sail solutions for your home and you’ll be able to get all the info you need on cost and installation.
The disadvantages of having shade sails in your garden?
And what about the drawbacks? Are there any major negatives that might impact your decision?
Potential sagging and drooping
It’s not uncommon for shade sails to begin sagging or drooping over time. This can be a result of a number of different things, however, it mostly comes down to a poor-quality shade sail, or a poor-quality installation.
Wobbly posts and noisy rigging
Shade sails typically have three support posts (for the triangular models), or four posts (for square). Different models may have beams or anchor points instead of posts. One of the biggest concerns for many people is that after a time, those support structures will begin to wobble in the wind – and in some more extreme cases, will fall down completely.
While there are a number of different factors that can impact this (namely product quality and installation, as mentioned above), the easiest way to avoid this is to be mindful of taking the sail down during windy weather. Otherwise, if left up in heavy winds, the sail will blow around rapidly, loosen the rigging, and in some cases pull the support structures off entirely.
They can become easily damaged in the wrong environment
Moving on from wobbly posts and noisy rigging due to heavy winds / poor quality products, and an inferior installation process, shade sails can also become easily damaged in the wrong environment.
Some people have reported their shade sails falling into disrepair or becoming completely destroyed in a matter of months.
This is largely due to holes forming in the sail’s fabric due to insects or sharp objects falling on top. In time this can cause the sails to fray, fall into disrepair, and become an eyesore (rather than a practical and aesthetically stunning addition to your garden as they are intended to be).
You can, however, easily overcome this by investing in a superior product. With high-quality fabrics, your sails will not so easily fall into disrepair. Additionally, so long as you remember to take the sails down during heavy winds, you won’t have to worry about them becoming unnecessarily damaged.
Potential fire hazard
Finally, having a shade sail too close to your BBQ can be a fire hazard – which can lead to devastating consequences if you are not careful.
This one can be avoided with common sense. Make sure that if you are using a BBQ, that you are cooking a safe distance away so that no stray sparks can catch your sails. Also, it might be worth keeping a fire extinguisher handy just in case.
Final thoughts
Overall, shade sails are an amazing addition to your garden that can bring a wealth of awesome benefits. Just make sure that you invest in a high-quality shade sail product and that you have the professionals install them properly. So long as you do that and follow the tips mentioned above, the aforementioned potential drawbacks should not be an issue for you.
The Labyrinth Garden
