Don't Forget to Ask These Questions When Buying Shade Sails for Your Property

Shade sails are a great way to add shade and comfort to your outdoor area, as the fabric of shade sails can soften the look of a stone patio or wood deck, and may even help to absorb noise from the neighbours or a nearby roadway. Shade sails also come in a variety of colours and patterns, so you can add some personality and style to your space along with that needed shade. When you are ready to shop for these sails for your backyard or pool area, don't forget these few important questions you'll need to ask, so you know you get the right material and type of sail that will work for your yard in particular:

Is it waterproof?

If you live in an area with lots of rainfall or want to keep your grill and other outdoor items under the shade sails, you need to know how waterproof certain materials will be; some fabrics will have a very open weave that lets water through, and their fibres might not be very dense so that water seeps through the fabric easily. You might invest in a thicker canvas or even a vinyl shade sail that offers maximum protection against water if this is a concern.

Ask about the maintenance and cleaning

Some cloth shade sails will need dry cleaning or professional cleaning on a regular basis. A vinyl shade sail may need occasional hosing down, or it may need to be taken down and actually scrubbed to remove dirt and debris. Always ask about maintenance and cleaning, as trying to clean fabric shade sails yourself might result in damaging the fabric fibres and pulling at the grommets and other hardware, and very vigorous cleaning of thin vinyl shade sails may also cause them to rip or get scratched.

Note how they're installed

If you want a corner of the shade sails to be attached to your house, you may not be able to simply drill a hole for a bolt through the home's siding or brick, as this connector may need a special anchor to keep the sail in place during storms and high winds. The poles that hold the sails may also need a concrete base poured to keep them upright and secure. Rather than thinking you can just buy a shade sail and its poles and connectors and install it yourself, ask about what's needed to ensure the sails stay in place, and that you have enough room for the posts and poles needed for its installation.