The advantages of shade sails over natural shade in providing sun protection

The importance of sun protection is increasingly being recognised, especially when spending time outdoors.  Seeking shade is one of the best ways you can protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

But which provides the best protection, natural shade such as trees, or built shade such as shade sails?

Many people choose to protect themselves with a combination of both.

It’s true that trees and other forms of natural shade can provide many benefits. However, shade sails have several practical advantages.

Advantages of Shade Sails over Trees

–Shade sails cast more predictable and consistent shade
Shade sails provide more predictable and consistent shade coverage than trees in several ways. They:
· Can be custom-designed to suit your needs: Shade Sails can be custom-designed to suit the space you want shaded, ensuring maximum protection is provided
· Provide Year-Round Protection: Trees may drop leaves at certain times of the year, affecting the level of protection they provide. By contrast, shade sails can provide consistent coverage year-round
· Provide constant protection: Shade sails are positioned in a fixed position, which means they can provide consistent protection over time. Protection from trees may be impacted by the movement of the sun or branches shifting in the wind
· Provide enhanced versatility: Shade Sails can be used to provide shade in areas where it would not be practical to plant trees, such as on a concrete patio.

Shade sails can be erected quickly

When it comes to quick and effective shade protection, shade sails outperform trees. Trees take time to grow. After you plant a tree, it could take years before adequate protection is provided. However, a shade sail can be installed in weeks, providing you with immediate sun protection and peace of mind.

Shade sails require less maintenance

Unlike trees, which require regular pruning and watering, shade sails require minimal maintenance. When maintenance is needed, it can be performed by a shade sail expert, giving you peace of mind.

Shade Sails can be adjustable

Retractable shade sails can be adjusted based on the time of day and the time of year. Therefore, they provide added flexibility that trees and other forms of natural shade cannot.

Shade sails can provide protection from the elements & withstand extreme weather

Shade sails can protect you from wind, rain and hail. This is a level of protection that trees cannot provide. However, for maximum protection, it’s important to choose a high-quality custom-made product as off-the-shelf shade sails do not provide the same level of protection. For example, Rainbow Shade products have been certified with the highest level of hail protection and have been proven to withstand extreme weather conditions. Trees, meanwhile can become damaged or fall in extreme weather or storms, creating a safety hazard.

Other advantages of shade sails over trees

· Trees can have health impacts: While planting trees has environmental benefits, for some people, they can have negative health impacts. For example, trees may generate pollen or other allergens which can trigger hayfever or even allergic reactions
· Trees can interfere with vital services: Tree roots may interfere with water and gas connections.
· Trees can drop debris: Debris from trees is not only a nuisance to clean up but can also be a slipping hazard. Shade sails, however, do not produce debris, making them a better option for shading areas such as swimming pools

Natural shade plays a crucial role in sun protection while also providing environmental benefits. However, shade sails offer unique advantages that can maximise the level of protection provided. Therefore, it’s worth considering a quality custom-made shade sail for your shade needs.

Article References

ARPANSA (n.d.) Sun protection using shade, ARPANSA, accessed 6 September 2024.

Sunsmart (n.d.) Shade Guidelines, Sunsmart, accessed 6 September 2024.