Shade sails are a great way to cover an existing outdoor lawn or garden from sunlight. Outdoor sails are made of a semi-permeable membrane and made of various fabrics that we will discuss below in this article. 

They are available in various shapes and sizes too to suit your outdoor space. The best part is that outdoor sails can be attached to different walls, trees, and structures to give a nice shade anywhere you need. 

Most people cover an outdoor lawn or a garden with a tea table, kid’s play area, etc. 

There are so many custom shapes and sizes that it will be difficult and confusing to select an ideal size. This article provides you with useful information to help you choose the best material, shape, and size that fit your needs. 

Here are the things that you need to consider before buying outdoor sails- 

Decide on what type of place you would like to shed

You will first have to get an idea of what place you are looking to shade. A shade sail is mostly used for covering up the terrace, lawn, garden, and other areas. It can be used for an outdoor seating area such as a tea table or a swimming pool and outdoor spa and massage area. 

The best part is that an outdoor sail is movable, and you can fix it anywhere, depending on your requirement. To hang your shade sail is also easier, and you can do it yourself as well. 

Choosing a nice firm structure where you can attach the end strings of the shade sail

Most people use existing light poles, trees, and other firm structures for attaching outdoor sails. Sometimes you may attach it with buildings or garage extensions. If you don’t have any firm and long structures in your area, you may need to buy posts to hang the shade. 

As a pro tip, we will like to suggest that you use the shade sail and hang it in a slanting position such that rainwater and snow can easily drain out from the sloping surface. 

Otherwise, the shade will get overweight due to rainwater or snow accumulation on the top, and the string may tear due to the sheer weight. 

As all experts suggest, you should at least ensure 30 degrees of inclination for your outdoor sails. 

Finding suitable anchor points for attaching the strings

The most important thing is attaching the end strings of the shade sail on the right anchor points. Bear in mind that it needs to be strong enough to hold on to the tension weight of the sail. The anchor also needs to be strong to withhold the sail during strong gusty winds and storms. 

How high should you attach the shade sail?

The higher you attach, the better the wind flow through the shade and the larger shadow area you can get. 

As expert advice, it is always recommended to attach the ends of the outdoor sail at least 7 to 10 feet from the ground. 

Any of the below-mentioned structures can act like strong anchors for setting the sail. 

This can be a beam extending out from a wall, a tree branch high enough, a wooden or light post with a diameter of at least 3 inches. 

Materials for your shade

Generally, for outdoor sails, there are two types of materials to choose from. These include waterproof fabrics and breathable shade fabrics. 

Conclusion

When planning to buy outdoor sails, you must ensure that you do the required amount of research and buy the right ones. This way, you can geta nice shady areain your lawn, terrace, or garden.