Sail shades

How do I install a Shade Sail?

Rig a semi-permanent or temporary shade sail in minutes - in the garden, or take to the beach. See our Sail shade installation guide. With our guyed Sail Shade Poles it's now easy to rig a semi-permanent shade sail in minutes. We carry a comprehensive choice of stainless steel or galvanised Sail Shade Fixings for attachment to walls, fences or trees. We also supply sensibly-priced galvanised steel Sail Shade Poles for permanent installations.

Kookaburra or Coolaroo Shade Sails?

Traditional shade sails, such as Coolaroo, are made of knitted fabric. This means that there are small holes in the fabric allowing a certain amount of hot air to escape. In the extreme Australian heat, this can be an important benefit. However, there is a cost. The harmful UV light also comes through holes. Because of the holes, knitted shade sails rarely give more than 90% UV protection. Although 90% sounds quite impressive, it means that 10% of the dangerous light gets through. If your child sits under a knitted sail shade for 10 hours, it would be the equivalent to sitting under the direct sun, completely unprotected, for a whole hour. Kookaburra sail shades are woven, not knitted. This means they have the maximum possible UV protection from a fabric. It also means they are waterproof - ideal for the British weather. Kookaburra shade sails are independently tested to UPF50+, the maximum UV protection.