At their most basic level, shade sails and awnings provide the same function. Like trees which have been grown for their ability to generate shade, these man-made structures have one main purpose, which is to provide a cool patch in your garden. However, there are a number of differences between the two product types. What are the main features of awnings and shade sails that you should take into account before choosing which one is the right option for your home and garden?
Shade Sails
When it comes to shade sails, you have to remember that you will be installing a permanent structure in your garden. Because shade sails are out in the open 365 days a year, they need to be very robust. Not only will they have to put up with water in the form of rainfall, but they must also be able to withstand high wind speeds. This is a particular issue if your home lies on high ground or is close to the coastline of Australia. Shade sails must have a structural support that is robust enough to withstand both wind and rain, which is why they tend to be made of welded steel sections. Furthermore, the sail itself must be constructed from very strong fabric, the sort of material that is used to make real sails on yachts, for example.
As well as the strong engineering that goes into shade sails, these products must be anchored in the ground. One of the main drawbacks of a shade sail is that it cannot be moved around easily. Unlike a parasol which you might put up during the summer months only, a shade sail will sit in the same place throughout the summer and the winter. This means that its ability to create shade just where you need it is limited. Essentially, shade sails are great for making a patch of shade in one area of your garden but not in others, and it's not easy to adjust them as the sun moves across the sky.
Awnings
Because they are attached to the side of your home, awnings do not need the same level of durability that shade sails do. When the wind picks up or when torrential rain is falling, all you need to do is to retract them so that they are out of the way. On the other hand, of course, you can extend the fabric over its supports when you need to create a patch of shade. What's more, an awning can be raised and lowered throughout the day so that you get just the right amount of shade you need regardless of how high the sun happens to be at that particular time of day.
Another key aspect of installing an awning is that modern ones can be fully automated. Some people are put off fitting them because they think they will have to use a manual crank handle to move them back and forth. With contemporary products, this is not necessary because you can have electric motors fitted. This means being able to raise and lower the pitch of your awning by simply flicking a switch or pressing a button on a remote control.
