Advantages of Cantilever Shade
The greatest advantage of a cantilever structure is the fact that it only requires support posts on one side of the structure where a conventional ShadeSail requires posts on both sides.eg A square or rectangle require at least 4 posts or posts on one side and another type of structure on the other such as a building.(if structurally suitable.)
The loads of the cantilever are contained within it’s own frame so unlike a ShadeSail there isn’t tension between the posts or posts and another structure. The cantilever is freestanding and doe’s not rely on the structural integrity of any other structure. If you need a waterproof or shaded area without a gap between between the building and the cantilever, the cantilever is simply designed with rafters that are long enough to stretch over the roof eliminating the gap. When designing a ShadeSail you should always create a hyperbolic shape which will equalize the pressure above and below the sail cloth and reduce the loads on the entire structure. This has it’s advantages but the disadvantage is that you need to raise certain parts of the Sail which will allow some sun under the sail at different times of the day or times of the year. The cantilever is engineered for the wind loads or fabric covering and the curved rafters of the structure allow for water run off.
The greatest advantage of a cantilever is where a view must not be obstructed or where the extra posts of the ShadeSail would make access for a vehicle or other difficult such as in a driveway or carpark. Cantilevers can be designed side by side or back to back.
Comments (0)Architec 400 Shade Structures
Architect 400 is one of the new materials which 1800ShadeU uses in the designs and installation of very large commercial tension membrane structures and shade sails.
Architec 400 is a 400 gsm High Density Polyehtlyene (HDPE) knitted shadecloth fabric available in a range of colours including sandstone, porcelain, aquamarine, navy blue, slate grey and midnight green.
Popular with architects, Architec 400 is tear resistant, excellent under tension and is a long life material.
Comments (0)PTFE Architecture
PTFE architecture is fast becoming popular and PTFE is increasingly used for large membrane structures and engineering projects.
PTFE or Polytetrafluoroethylene is the stuff which commonly lines frying pans to give it the non-stick effect known as Teflon. The fabric is a fibreglass membrane which has a higher durability and longer life than standard shade fabric, making it ideal for large architecture tensile and membrane structures. PTFE material is also favoured due to its low maintenance, fire resistant properties, light reflection (and UV blocking ability) and its translucency (which is higher than PVC). Like PVC, PTFE often has a glossy plastic look. PTFE is available in waterproof and breathable variations.
The Gabba stadium in Brisbane's Shade Sail like roof is such a structure.
Apart from stadiums is also being used in preference to PVC for some high end umbrella like structures.
Comments (0)Garden Shade creates new planting possibilities
andscapers and gardeners tend to be one of the biggest markets for Shade Sails and one reason is because Garden Shade Structures open up new possibilities for planting.
Walk around any nursery and you'll usually find a shaded section with plants that prefer shade. Shade Sails artificially create shade which means that it is possible to create environments for these plants in more open, natural settings than in a shade house. The right choice of position, shade material and angling to modulate the sun are they key tricks to Garden Shade Sails. Different plants thrive naturally in conditions where there is different types of shade and at different times of day. Emulating these conditions is important when establishing a Garden Shade solution. Good garden shade creates opportunities to plant many smaller shade loving trees including ferns, maples and hibiscis.