A shade sail is a tensioned fabric structure, elegantly suspended between anchor points, providing both aesthetic appeal and functional sun protection. Think of it as a modern twist on traditional canopies, offering a sleek design that complements high-end architectural spaces.
Our sails are cut and sewn in our Austin shop by Bartlett Sails & Canvas, Austin's marine canvas and sailmaking shop since 1984, and our crew installs them. Every project gets a six-month follow-up and a direct line to the crew for as long as you own the shade.
Our shade sails block up to 96% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, depending on the fabric color and type. Darker fabrics generally offer higher UV protection.
Standard shade sails are made from permeable fabrics, allowing air circulation and some water passage. However, we offer waterproof options for clients seeking complete rain protection. Note that waterproof fabrics may require additional tensioning and drainage considerations.
We advise against installing shade sails directly over open flames. Embers and heat can damage the fabric, posing safety risks. It is best to position sails at a safe distance from such heat sources.
We utilize high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fabrics known for their durability and UV resistance. Our hardware components are typically stainless steel or galvanized steel, ensuring longevity and strength.
Regular maintenance involves gently cleaning the fabric with mild soap and water, followed by rinsing with a low-pressure hose. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive tools to preserve the fabric integrity.
Permit requirements vary by location. Generally, if the installation involves permanent structures or footings, a permit may be necessary. We recommend checking with your local building department. Our team can assist in navigating the permitting process.
Our craftsmanship warranty covers sewing, fabrication, and installation for 5 years. Posts supplied by others are not covered. The fabric carries the manufacturer's limited warranty, 10 to 15 years depending on the fabric. Commercial Heavy 430 carries 15 years from GALE Pacific. Sun, wind, and cleaning habits affect how long it lasts. We check every sail at the six-month follow-up.
While some clients opt for DIY installations, we recommend professional installation to ensure optimal tensioning, safety, and durability. Our experienced team ensures a clean, secure setup.
A freestanding or attached structure with a roof of rotating aluminum louvers. Open them for filtered light and airflow, close them for full shade and rain cover. You control the roof instead of living with a fixed one.
Closed louvers shed water to an integrated gutter and downspout in the frame. It is designed to keep the space usable in a normal rain, not to perform as a sealed roof in a driving storm.
Yes. The louvers we install are motorized and run by remote, wall switch, or app. They can be set to close automatically on a rain or wind sensor.
Extruded aluminum with a powder-coat finish. It does not rot, warp, or need repainting the way a timber pergola does, and it carries the span without mid-run posts in most layouts.
Usually yes, because they are permanent structures on footings. Requirements vary by city and by HOA. We tell you at the site visit what your city requires.
Yes. Integrated LED lighting, fans, heaters, and drop screens can be built into the frame. It is worth deciding on these before fabrication so the wiring and mounts are built in.
Most pergolas install in a few days once footings are cured and the unit is fabricated. Larger commercial runs take longer. We give you the schedule in writing before we start.
They close off the open side of a porch, patio, or pergola. Depending on the fabric they cut low sun, block wind, add privacy, or keep insects out, and they roll away when you do not need them.
With mesh fabrics, yes. You keep the view and the breeze while cutting glare and heat. Solid vinyl panels give you weather protection and privacy instead of a view.
Both. Motorized screens run on a remote or switch and can be tied to a wind sensor that retracts them automatically. Hand-crank versions cost less and work well on smaller openings.
Screens run in side tracks or cable guides to hold the fabric in the opening. They are meant to be retracted in high wind, and a wind sensor on a motorized unit does that for you.
Usually yes. We look at the header, the posts, and the opening size, then mount the housing so it reads as part of the structure rather than an add-on.
Roll it down, wash the fabric with mild soap and water, rinse with a low-pressure hose, and let it dry fully before rolling it up. Keep the tracks clear of debris.
A fabric shade that gathers into soft horizontal folds as it lifts, instead of rolling onto a tube. It gives you shade with the look of a tailored textile rather than a mechanical roller.
Covered porches, loggias, cabanas, and patio openings that are already protected overhead. They are a design choice as much as a shade choice, so they suit spaces where the fabric is part of the room.
Exterior-grade solution-dyed acrylics and mesh fabrics in a full range of colors and stripes. We will put physical samples in your hands before you commit.
Yes. Motorized lift on a remote or switch is available, and it is the better choice on wide or high openings. Cord and pulley operation is available on smaller shades.
Retract them in high wind and heavy rain. They are built from exterior fabric and hardware, but like any soft shade they last longest when they are up during storms.
With exterior fabric, proper retraction habits, and normal cleaning, expect many seasons of service. Fabric is replaceable on the same hardware when it eventually fades.
A temporary inflatable canopy printed with your brand. It sets up without anchoring into your slab and packs away after the event.
Usually not, because nothing is permanently attached. Local fire and occupancy rules can still apply to large event canopies, so tell us the venue and we will check.
Anchor it at each corner. Take it down ahead of high wind.
Yes. Fabric can be produced in your colors, and graphics or logos can be applied. We do this regularly for venues and sponsors.
Deflate it, let the canopy dry fully, and fold it for storage. We will show your staff the routine at handoff.
When there is no building, wall, or mature tree in the right place to anchor to. Parking areas, playgrounds, pool decks, and open lawns almost always call for a freestanding frame.
Engineered footings sized to the structure and the soil. That means excavation, concrete, and cure time, all scheduled into the project up front so there are no surprises.
Yes, and those are two of the most common uses. Post placement is planned around fall zones, decking, and traffic paths so the structure does not create a new obstacle.
Spans depend on the design, the site, and local wind load requirements. We size the structure from engineering rather than a catalog, so bring us the space and we will tell you what it will carry.
Yes. ShadePro engineers each structure, provides stamped drawings where code requires them, and handles the permit with the local building department. We stay your contact throughout.
Yes. The frame is the long-term asset. When the fabric reaches the end of its life, it is re-covered on the existing structure at a fraction of a full replacement.
Extend Time Outside™
Free site visit. AR sun study. A design idea in hand before you commit to anything.
