Patio Umbrellas, Heaters, Shades | Patio Heat and Shade

Large exterior cement patio near marina with large brown mounted poles from which are strung six Custom Shade Sails CSS12RT-TST 12’ right triangle commercial grade shade sails

For those of you saying, “What the heck is a sun shade sail?” I’m here to help. I too had no idea what a shade sail was until a few months ago, and once I found out about them, I have to say they’re pretty neat.

﻿Shade sails are devices that create outdoor shade in active areas by using basic textile technology (aka “cloth”) that can be found in a ship’s sail. Start with anchor points (either to installed poles or to existing structures) and stretch an appropriate sail-type material between the anchors, creating a tight “sail.”

This technique has been used for literally thousands of years (in fact, the Colosseum in Rome was shaded with large canvas “sails” that the Roman Sailors pulled into place), and for good reason. It’s inexpensive, can be quite pretty, and super effective at cooling people off beneath its spreading arms.

What we love about shade sails is that they work like umbrellas – but without that pesky pole in the way. They can be WAY bigger than normal umbrellas at a fraction of the cost, and we love the bright colors we can use to decorate our outdoor oasis.

You should know by now that our patio experts are the best in the business… and we asked them for their favorite shade sail installation ideas and boy did they deliver. Take a look at their 11 favorites:

1. Create a shady corner with a triangular shade sail

Outdoor patio scene with modern home with stucco walls, cedar bench, ivy covered walls on which is anchored a Coolaroo Coolhaven 473-TR112 shade sail

Create the perfect outdoor reading nook by hanging a Coolaroo Coolhaven 473-TR112 shade sail in the corner of a secluded section of your patio. Utilizing AF230 fabric to provide a 95% UV block, and with a seven-year warranty against UV degradation, the Coolhaven features slightly curved sides for better tension ability.

2. Layer multiple shade sails for extra protection and visual interest

Shot of three shade sails in three different colors including the Custom Shade Sails CSS10RT-TST commercial grade shade sail, all overlapping each other in various areas, providing a large swath of shade to an outdoor patio

Adding shade sails to your home creates outdoor interest points immediately, and adding multiple shade sails in overlapping patterns and contrasting colors just adds the “Wow!” to your outdoor recreational space. The Custom Shade Sails CSS10RT-TST commercial grade shade sail uses WeatherMax material and marine grade stainless steel corner rings, here overlapping with other shade sails, to provide even more UV protection than a single shade sail.

3. Create versatile poolside shade with a shade sail

Poolside walkway in a suburban neighborhood with igneous rock formation, 4’ tall wrought iron fence, three white pillars mounted into the pool surround from which is mounted a Custom Shade Sails CSS15RT-SCA premium shade sail

The beauty of shade sails is that they are inexpensive, flexible, come in a ton of different sizes and shapes, and provide amazing shade and rain protection. We love the Custom Shade Sails CSS10-12REC-RD commercial grade shade sail for using the highest quality materials with double rows of locking stitches to create a robust shade that remains taut and eliminates sagging or flapping in the wind.

4. Take advantage of natural greenery and shade when positioning your shade sail

Back yard small garden in an urban setting with exposed brick row house, many plants over which hangs a yellow Custom Shade Sails CSS12SQ-CDG premium square commercial grade shade sail

Keep your partial-sunlight plants happier by installing a Custom Shade Sails CSS12SQ-CDG premium square commercial grade shade sail over their heads. The 99% reduction in harmful UV rays will keep your plants healthy during the most brutal of summer days, and you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing that your shade sail is made in America.

5. Use shade sails to create as-needed shade for outdoor play areas like sandboxes

Children playing in a back yard, little boy on a swing, little girl in a large rectangular sandbox made of brick with a wooden top, with toys scattered in it, and above them from tree branches hangs a Coolaroo 34489 triangle party shade sail

The cool thing about shade sails (see what we did there?) is that they give you the same function of an umbrella, with a larger area and no poles in the way. Adding the Coolaroo 34489 triangle party shade sail over a well-used play area like this sandbox is a fantastic way to add whimsical color to their space while keeping them protected from the damaging effects of the sun.

6. Use a triangular shade sail to create a shady refuge in the corner of your pool

Scene around in-ground pool, with sparkling blue water, stone pool surround, white vinyl fence, brick half wall fence, large inlaid stone enclosure covered in plants, from which a large waterfall splashes in the pool and strung over the corner where the waterfall splashes is a Custom Shade Sails CSS12RT-SS right triangle commercial grade shade sail

Install a high-quality shade sail, like the Custom Shade Sails CSS12RT-SS right triangle commercial grade shade sail over the corner of your pool to create a sun-safe zone as a respite on hot summer days. Architectural features, like the waterfall in this sun shade idea, are more fun to play in and around when your skin is protected.

7. Or use a large shade sail to cover your entire pool

In-ground pool with white pool surround, six-foot wrought iron gate, and four tall poles mounted to the surround from which is strung a royal blue Custom Shade Sails CSS12-18REC-RB large rectangular commercial grade shade sail

To ensure that your family and guests are as protected as they can be, cover your entire pool with a mammoth 12’ x 18’ Custom Shade Sails CSS12-18REC-RB large rectangular commercial grade shade sail. Surprisingly affordable for such a large premium quality sail, it’s the best way to keep your family covered while they do their best “Flipper” impression. Just don’t feed them the live fish.

8. Put up a shade sail to protect outdoor sitting and dining areas

Outdoor residential patio with brick pavers, small propane grill, two-person swing with red upholstered cushions, wrought iron dining table with four chairs, white painted home exterior from which is strung a Custom Shade Sails CSS12-14REC-RD rectangular commercial grade shade sail

Lunch in the great outdoors isn’t quite the same when you’ve been searing burgers over an open flame then finally sit down with the family to enjoy your meal, when you realize you’re hotter in your (wrought iron) dining furniture then you were in front of the grill! Custom Shade Sails CSS12-14REC-RD rectangular commercial grade shade sail to the rescue – just adding this shade sail over your dining area would save you from being branded by your dining furniture.

9. Add shade underneath a pergola with a shade sail

Residential patio setting in suburban neighborhood, with engineered wood floors, white wood fence, yellow rocking Adirondack chairs around a red bowl-shaped fire pit, white classical pillars holding up a white pergola adorned with dentil molding, from which hangs string lights and a Coolaroo Coolhaven 473822 square shade sail

Adding a pergola to your home is a fantastic way to block some of the sun’s harmful effects… but to block out almost all of the harmful UV rays you can add a Coolaroo Coolhaven 473822 square shade sail underneath your pergola. Not only will it give you shade when it is badly needed, but it will keep you free from light rain as well.

10. Use a large sun sail to shade an entire patio or deck

Outdoor residential patio scene with wood railing, rattan furniture with rust-colored cushions, tan painted house, three cylindrical black poles mounted to the deck from which is strung a Coolaroo Coolhaven 473-SQ12 square shade sail

If you have the ability, string a large shade sail across your entire deck or dining area to make sure everyone is covered… literally. The Coolaroo Coolhaven 473-SQ12 square shade sail will keep out 95% of the harmful rays, and that pop of color will look amazing over your next outdoor dinner party.

11. Use multiple shade sails to cover a larger area

Outdoor recreation space in commercial setting with single story commercial structures, wooden picnic benches, wooden poles attached to wood plank decking from which are stretched six Custom Shade Sails CSS12SQ-CDG commercial grade shade sails of different colors

Just like potato chips, sometimes with shade sails you can’t stop at one. String together multiple Custom Shade Sails CSS12SQ-CDG commercial grade shade sails to create a vibrant canopy overhead in a large outdoor space.

As you can see, there are almost no end of uses where shade wouldn’t be welcome. Let’s toss in another idea – a parked car in your driveway would be a perfect location for a shade sail, keeping it cool in the summer, so you don’t have that whole legs melting into the leather thing when you get in.

Versatile, colorful and inexpensive, shade sails will come in hand in multiple areas around your home, and when you can get the best quality shade sails at the lowest price on the Internet, it’s just a win-win!

If you’re not sure which shade sail, or fabric, would be right for you, you’re in luck. Here at Patio Heat and Shade we’ve got the best patio experts in the business, just waiting for your call. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you every step of the way.

11 Inspiring Sun Shade Sail Installation Ideas

1. Create a shady corner with a triangular shade sail

2. Layer multiple shade sails for extra protection and visual interest

3. Create versatile poolside shade with a shade sail

4. Take advantage of natural greenery and shade when positioning your shade sail

5. Use shade sails to create as-needed shade for outdoor play areas like sandboxes

6. Use a triangular shade sail to create a shady refuge in the corner of your pool

7. Or use a large shade sail to cover your entire pool

8. Put up a shade sail to protect outdoor sitting and dining areas

9. Add shade underneath a pergola with a shade sail

10. Use a large sun sail to shade an entire patio or deck

11. Use multiple shade sails to cover a larger area

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