Financing Shade Structures for the Home
Want to build a shade structure such as an awning but don't have the cash ? It is reassuring to know that there are ways to finance your home improvements.
There is always the option of a personal loan or mortgage extension.
A little known fact that some banks include Shade Structures with other similar "Green" home improvements in their discounted environmental loan programs.
While a handful of retail banks and building societies have such loans, only a couple will include shade structures such as awnings that help save on energy and cooling costs.
At the time of writing, banks offering a discounted rate for loans that stated they do include such structures are:
- MECU goGreen Home Improvement Loan (9.49%)
- Bendigo Bank Green Personal Loan (9.99%)
So get ready for summer and take advantage of these great green loans to improve your home.
Comments (0)Four Sided Sails are Superior to Triangles
A number of customers walk through the our factory door and enquire about a triangular shaped Shade Sail but the triangle is not the ideal shape for most applications. Only on the rare occasion is the triangle shape necessitated by a small courtyard or some other triangular shaped area. It seems that most people's idea of Shade Sails comes from depictions of them as triangles (our own logo features triangular shapes) but in most case what they have actually seen is t whereas it is in fact the illusion that a Hyperbolic Shade Sail creates.
A Hyperbolic Sail is a four sided, four post ShadeSail with two diagonal posts placed high and two diagonal posts placed low. This shape is optimal as it creates an even wind load above and below the Sail but when seen from a distance one post can appear to disappear over the horizon of the Sail and give the appearance of a triangle.
Our company sells ShadeSails to the public but we also wholesale to the the ShadeSail industry and we find that we make very few triangular Sails if any. This is especially the case for custom Shade Sail projects. By the time you cut the catenary curves in to the Sails perimeter (which are needed to keep the Sail tight) you don’t finish up with enough coverage to meet the requirements of the job. The depth of the catenary curve is based on a percentage of the distance between the Shade Sail posts so this is especially bad when the triangle is much longer than it is wide. When a ShadeSail is being designed the ShadeSail designer needs to take in to account the direction and height of the sun, which normally means look out fot the northern sun lower in the sky later in the summer and of course the low western sun in the afternoon.With a larger area that can be covered by a four sided ShadeSail it is easier to provide protection from the sun as the Sail shades a wider area. So while triangular pre-made sails are popular with do it yourself enthusiasts, we will rarely if ever recommend them for projects.
Four sided shade sails are much more effective and this is why we don’t usually recommend triangular Sails
Comments (0)Pergola vs Shade Sail
Both pergolas and Shade Sails are open side structures used for shading or screening, traditionally in domestic garden settings or as outdoor entertainment areas
Pergolas are typically constructed of timber frames. Technically a pergola with a waterproof roof is considered a patio or a gazebo.
Shade Sails have several definite advantages over pergolas:
- can be erected more quickly
- can be more cost effective
- are not affected by termites, wood pests and rot
- slicker more modern look
- more flexible design options, for example they can be built around objects such as pools
Fabric Architecture is a spectacular cost effective alternative to a standard solid roof Patio or Pergola. Shade Sails can be designed from roof masts to posts to create the modern look of Hyperbolic Sails. Another outstanding design for Pergola/Patio areas is the outstanding modern look of the Cantilever. The benefit of the cantilever is that it is a fully free standing structure and does not rely on the integrity of the building. Cantilevers can stretch to whatever length is required and can also be made in waterproof architectural grade PVC. The attractive look of custom made Shade Sails or Cantilevers can really improve the look of an area and add value to a property.
Comments (0)Choosing Shade Sails your Home
Choosing the right shade sail solutions is one of the most important decisions you can make for your home.
We share some of the things we would ask a Shade Sail suppler when purchasing a Shde Sail solutionChoosing the right shade sail is one of the most important decisions you can make for your home.
I've been in the industry all my life and knowing what I do about shade sails, so I'll share with you first things I would ask when buying a shade sail solution.
- What direction is the sun in relation to the area I want shaded?
- What type of material should I use?
- What shapes and sizes should I use
- What type of stitching will be used?
- What type of rigging and fittings will be used?
- How is it installed?
- What is the cost of the Shade Sail solution?
- How long will the Shade Sail last?
Direction of the Sun
Everybody knows that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west and that at the hottest time of day is the time after it almost directly overhead. But what it does in between is very important. And you'd be suprised how many people take this critical aspect for granted. I mean, the Shade Sail is first and foremost about providing shade (not visual look), but some people do still get things the wrong way around.Every property has a slightly different aspect to the sun, so direction in relation to your property is a very important decision to maximise shade during the hotter times of the day. Direction of the sun will determine the size and shape of the shade sail required and that will in turn effect the rigging you'll need.
Type of Material and Stitching
My family has been producing textiles for over 100 years and that is how we got into Shade Sails. I know just how important fabric and the choice of material is to Shade Sail solutions, as the reason we built our factory was to provide a wider range of materials and choice for our customers than any of our competitors.Choice of material can determine the Shade Sail's:
- strength and durability
- resistance to weather (including the amount of sun protection)
- resistance from mould and fading
- available colours
Choice has a bearing on cost and will also vary depending on your situation.
Colour
Colour is an important choice in terms of the visual appeal of the Shade Sails. They should look good against the materials of your home or building.Choice of colour can also its ability to provide superior shade. Darker colours reflect more light and provide more shade.
Shapes and Sizes
Shade Sails come in all shapes and sizes, from triangular to rectangular and complex.The decision depends on the sun, the aesthetic appeal and the available space.
Posts, Rigging and Fittings
Posts, rigging and fittings for Shade Sails will depend on the type of material you select, the size and location.I recommend metal posts and cable rigging as it is by far the strongest. Rope rigging is generally not recommended as it does not provide sufficient tension or weather resistance.
Installation
Depending on the size of the Shade Sails, it could range from a do-it-yourself (DIY) job to something that a professional is required to set up. We allow for both, but to get the best result, it should be someone who knows what they are doing.Support and Maintenance
You should check with your supplier that they provide adequate guarantees and warranties. Lots of things can go wrong with Shade Sails when they are improperly designed or installed.Shade Sails can add great value to your property and can last a long time, but they are not made to last forever. Contrary to many beliefs, Shade Sails should be professionally checked by someone who knows what they are doing. This avoids them becoming a hazard.
If well supported and maintained, Shade Sails can be a real asset to your property for a very long time.
Council Approval and Shade Sails
Most people seem suprised when they find out that they may well need to get council approval or building permit to erect a Shade Sail or similar structure, but there are easy ways to cut through the red tape.
Council approval differs between from local government areas but is almost always handled by the planning department so you should always contact them first for your local laws.
From our experience, Shade sails are typically exempt if:
- the shade sail consists of permeable material
- the area of the sail does not exceed 20 sqm
- no part of the sail will be more than 3 m above ground or floor level (depending on where it is to be situated)
- no part of the sail will be in front of any part of the building line of the building to which it is ancillary and that faces the primary street
If the structure is in breach of any of the preceding points then it will most likely require development approval. These of course are not the rules for all councils and other factors such as heritage overlays sometimes apply, particularly in areas with sensitive historic character. Good choice of Shade Sails can blend in with their environment and make it easier to get through the planning process. Waterproof sails almost always require council approval.
To cope with an increasing number of applications, some councils are now adopting fairly transparent processes with regard to Shade Sail Structures. Here is an example checklist from the town of Gawler in South Australia. Some councils are very strict, for instance Cambridge in Western Australia requires a building permit for all Shade Sails regardless. Whereas others, particularly in fringe suburban areas have fairly lax rules.
1800ShadeU is experienced in the process of council approval and we design plans and provide all the information you need to make the process as smooth as possible.
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