Standard Sized Shadesails

Video: DIY Shade sails

Video: Shade Sail Review

Why are the Sundance Shade Sails more expensive than other Standard Sized sails?

Sundance standard size shade sails are similar to our professional quality custom made shade sails. The main difference is that the sizes are set. You still get the same hand made high quality shade sail which promises to look great and last a lifetime. Do not compare these shade sails to the ones available in hardware stores, which are a mass produced product from overseas using cheap fabrics and materials. These shade sails are a premium quality Australian made product with a stainless steel cable perimeter and corners using what many people regard as the best shade cloth on the market, Rainbow Z16 making them, in relative terms, a good value option.

Can I install a shade sail myself?

We acknowledge that installing a shade sail isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do. If you’re not a handy person or you don’t like digging holes or working on a ladder then we suggest that installing a DIY shade sails probably isn’t for you. If however you’re reasonably handy and don’t mind a bit of work then you should have no problem installing one of these shade sails. We recommend you pick up a copy of our book DIY Shade, Shade sails Made Easy (100% refund when you purchase your sail) and read it before you start your project. It will help you avoid most of the common mistakes people make when installing their own shade sail.

What is the hardest part of installing a shade sail?

Digging the holes! Even for a moderately sized shade sail, the holes need to be around 1.2 metres deep.

How do I know how deep to make the holes and how big to make the poles?

Once you know how big you want your shade sail to be, contact us and we will give you engineering details on exactly how big to make the footings and what size the poles need to be.

Do I need Council permission?

If the shade sail will alter the street scape, is within a metre of your boundary, blocks the view of a neighbour, or is over around 12m2 then typically Yes but all Councils have different regulations and you should definitely check with your Local Council before proceeding.

What are the most common mistakes people make with shade sails?

• Not talking to a professional company before they start. We get a lot of calls from people who have already installed shade sail poles which are way too small for the job. A simple call to us before hand could have saved a great deal of trouble (and money).
• Not allowing for the tensioning. Often people purchase a sail that is 4.4x 6.0m and install their posts at 4.4 x 6.0m. This leaves no room for tensioning.
• Not digging the holes deep enough which cause them to move when the first wind come along.
  
  

Can I use timber posts?

We don’t recommend it no. Timber is a natural product with knots and faults and no engineer would certify a timber post. Having said that, many DIY shade installers have decided to proceed with timber posts and had no problems.

Do you sell steel posts?

No but the sizes we recommend are readily available at a local steel cash and carry merchant.

Can I attach to the side of my house?

You need to be very careful here. We recommend against attaching any shadesail bigger than a 6m span to an existing structure unless it is a tilt slab. Many people do attach shade sails to their houses but they do-so with out any engineer certification. Brick walls are designed for bearing loads – i.e. pressing down, not to support a lateral load, i.e., pulling out. If the shade sail exerts to much pressure on a brick wall it can pull out bricks or even pull the wall down resulting in serious damage and perhaps even serious injury. For this reason, we recommend that shade sails should be installed with ‘poles in holes’. That way we can control the loadings and ensure everything will be safe and secure.

Can I attach a bracket to my roof?

Yes but with care and caution. We sell different types of rafter brackets for attaching shade sails to houses but care must be exercised as excess loadings can damage roof structures. The rule of thumb here is that small shade sails in sheltered areas can be attached to roof structures using brackets and fittings which are certified for the job.

How long with these shade sails last?

Sundance shade sails are made with Rainbow Z16 shade cloth which comes with a Pro Rata 10 year manufacturers warranty against UV degradation on the fabric. Cheaper shade sails use cheaper sewing threads and this is where they fall apart. We extend a 2 Year workmanship warranty on our shade sails.

Can you come out and install my shade sail for me?

Unfortunately, Shade Australia does not offer a Measure, Quote and Installation Service. These sails are designed for the DIY market.

What are your payment terms?

On all custom made and made to order products we request a 50% part payment to get the job started with the balance payable once the item has been manufactured and before dispatch.  

How long does it take for a shade sail to be made?

You should allow two weeks from sign-off of your shade sail until shipment. This is often longer during the busy summer months and shorter during winter.

Is the shade sail fire proof?

No. Shade sails are made from a polyethylene material which is petroleum based. Typically, if a shade sail catches fire it will smoulder and burn with black smoke. If it is not fanned by wind, typically the flame will naturally extinguish. There are fire resistant brands of shade cloth and we can use this material to manufacture your shade sail if required but there is a surcharge.

Is the shade sail waterproof?

Shade cloth sails are perfectly suited to protect your car or keep you in the shade but they are not waterpoof. Shadecloth is designed to reduce the temperature underneath and thus, is porous. If installed correctly, on an angle and very taut there will be some run off. Light to medium rain will mist through. Heavy rain will eventually drip through. We do not manufacture shade sails in waterproof shade cloth or in PVC.

Your shade sail takes approximately two weeks to manufacture. Once we dispatch your shade sail, we email you the tracking number.  This allows you to log onto the couriers website (e.g. TNT) and track your delivery so you know when it is going to be delivered.

We ship this product Australia wide with reliable couriers such as TNT and Australia Post. 

Once we dispatch an order, we will email you the tracking number.  This allows you to track your delivery so you know when it is going to be delivered.

We do our best to ensure your order is packaged securely and arrives safely.

Fabric: 10 Years pro rata against UV degradation.

Stitching thread: 5 Years pro rata against UV degradation.

Workmanship: 2 Years workmanship warranty

Shade Australia is proud to extend these warranties on behalf of the manufacturer. Manufacturers offer warranty as Pro rata meaning that it is a proportional warranty.  If for example, your shade sail fabric deteriorated after 7 years then the manufacturer, at their discretion, may reimburse you for three year’s loss of use.

Warranty covers the shade sail for use in normal conditions.  Shade sails are not warranted for damage caused in excessively strong winds or cyclones. They are not covered for damage caused by inadequate attachment points, falling branches or other accidents.  The warranty does not cover damage caused by wind, modification or misuse.  Should a warranty claim be made it is the responsibility of the customer to get the shade sail back to us or a repair depot which we designate.  The condition of the shade sail will be assessed and if it is a legitimate warranty claim, we will carry out the repairs at our cost and return the shade sail to you at our cost.  

• Your Shade sail