FACTS, QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

We know that you have got lots of questions regarding Southwest Shade Sails, and for good reason you should. Listed below is an introduction guideline to some of the most common concerns that clients and customers alike, have asked countless of times. Please feel free to email us with any other questions that this FAQ page might not answer for you.

The most commonly asked questions:

1. How do the Shade Sails stand up to the AZ sun?

Extremely well!  The fabric is a High Density Polyethylene and comes with a 10 year manufacture’s warranty against sun degradation.  This is the same type of fabric used in shade structures which cover school playgrounds and parks.  In addition, we use a UV rated thread to resist sun degradation.  One of our manufacturers offers a life time warranty with the thread they use. You don’t want your thread to deteriorate before the fabric does. Without a UV Protected thread, your hems and seams will deteriorate before the shade fabric does.

2. Will an HOA approve a Shade Sails request?

Responsible, sun conscious Home Owner Associations will approve a request for a shade sail.  Shade sail tops are secured to the posts using a turn buckle.  A turn buckle is a piece of tensioning hardware.  Turning a turn buckle one way puts tension on the shade sail,  turn the turn buckle the other direction and tension is released allowing the home owner to remove the shade sail top if need.

So a shade sail is a temporary and removable shade solution; but, unlike and umbrella, a shade sail is engineered to withstand winds up to 90mph.  Shade sails won’t blow out of your yard and cause damage like an umbrella.  Any damaged caused by and umbrella becomes a liability to the home owner.

Thirdly, a shade sail is a smart way to provide shade for your family.  The material blocks out up to 96% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, depending on the color.  Given that Arizona has the 2nd highest skin cancer cases in the world, Home Owner Association recognize that a shade sail solution is a smart, responsible way to not only increase the usability of your back yard, but a way to protect your family from harmful UV rays.

3. How long does it take to install the Shade Sail?

A typical installation takes about 4 - 5 weeks.   Keep in mind that every steel post is set into a concrete footing.  As a rule of thumb, concrete will cure to 50% of its overall strength in about 7 days, 75% of its strength in 14 days and 90+% in 21 days.  Because of the tension applied to each shade sail, we insist on a minimum of 14 days and ideally 21 days before installing the shade sail top.

4. If I am having a pool being built, when should I arrange for a Shade Sail?

Sooner the better, we work with the pool company to coordinate an installation time frame.  The best part is that we don’t hold up the construction of your new pool!  Once the posts have been installed, we wait for a final call from the pool builder to put up your shade sail.

5. How well do Shade Sails stand up to a Monsoon or Dust Storm?

Can you say Category One Hurricane!  Our 4 post shade sail system has been engineered to withstand winds up to 90 mph!  A category one hurricane starts at 85 mph. 

6. Can I take my Shade Sail down in the winter?

Yes.  A shade sail is a temporary, removable shade solution.  Loosen the turn buckles to release tension on the fabric.  Unhook the turn buckle from the post.  But why?  The intensity of UV damage doesn’t subside just because the weather is cooler.  In fact, most people take less precautions in the winter months of Arizona to protect themselves from the sun.

7. Do you come out to my house or charge a consultation visit?

Yes and No.  Yes we come out to your house to evaluate the space you want to cover.  We pay particular attention to the path of the sun given the time of year.  The sun is higher in the sky during the summer months and much lower to the south in the winter months.  Knowing the suns path is an essential design variable.  No we don’t charge a consultation fee in most cases.  Please call for more information.

8. How much does a Shade Sail cost?

There are many variables that fall into play with pricing a shade sail.  As a rule of thumb, figure $10 a square foot.  Those variables I mentioned will move the “$” sign north of south of the $10 benchmark.  We do have package options that maybe more cost effective for your situation. A written quotation can only be given after a site visit has been conducted. 

9. Can I attach the Shade Sail top directly to my house?

In some cases yes, we can attach to your house.  Keep in mind that the original architect did not intend to have a shade sail top attached to your house.  There is a great deal of force generated on the attachment points when the wind blows.  Attaching to your house will effect the over all wind rating.  Southwest Shade Sails Inc. can provide engineering specifications at an additional cost.  

10. How tall are the posts?
    
    Post heights vary depending on which package is selected or based on engineering specifications.  The greater the variance in post heights, the more dramatic the fabric will twist and turn.   The twist adds a desirable visual appeal as well as facilitates the deflection of wind. 

      Custom posts can add flare and a personal unique touch.

• Do I need a permit? Check with your local municipality on permit requirements.

12. What maintenance is required with a Shade Sail?

Aside from the occasional hosing off of the fabric, none.  Steel posts can be left to patina or can be powder coated.  In Arizona, we don’t live in a rain forest, we live in the desert where we experience little corrosion.  Would you rather buy an antique car from Arizona or Illinois?  We use only 316 marine grade stainless steel hardware.  No painting, re-shingling, staining, or replacing of parts associated with gazebos, ramadas, trellaces, pergolas or fixed, rigid structures.

13. How do I clean it?

A hose and possibly a mild detergent.  You made need a rag or soft bristled brush to clean off sap or stubborn bird droppings.

14. How does a Shade Sail compare to a Gazebo?

Gazebos are made from fixed rigid material that requires annual maintenance.  A shade sail can provide comparable shade, cover more custom areas like over a pool and has very little maintenance.  In addition, the mass of a gazebo can block views where as a Pool Hat is a mere sliver against its back drop.  Shade sails start around $10 a square foot and many Gazebos start around $18 a square foot. You do the math.

15. Will a Shade Sail keep my pool cooler in the summer?

It will depend on the amount of coverage.  The more coverage, the cooler the pool will be.  Tired of bath water in July and August?

16. I have seen Shade Sails offered at many retail outlest and in airplane magazines for around $100, why are yours more expensive?

When ou buy a shade sail from an outlet or magazine, the shade sail comes in a pre-made size..  What if the ready made shade sail doesn’t fit the space you want to cover?  What are you going to use to attach the shade to your posts?  Come to think of it, where are you going to get the posts?  Do you know how deep you need to dig the footings for the posts?  Who is going to mix the concrete?  How are you going to mix the concrete? How do you get the twist in the fabric to give the shade sail an artistic look?  Did you take in to account the how the curves in the fabric effect the shade pattern?  Did you allow for a lower post to the west?  What if you have an odd shape that a standard ready made shade sail won’t cover? What if you can't pull the shade sail taught?  What if the shade sail sags?

Southwest Shade Sails Inc. takes the guess work out of providing shade.   We come out to your house and provide designs taking in to account the movement of the sun across the sky and the time of year.  We provide the posts, install, and custom make the shade sail to fit the post layout, not the other way around.

Besides, if you buy a ready made shade sail and it rips or becomes damaged, who would you call to fix or replace it? 

Don’t forget one very important point: there is a reason they are only $100.

17. Can I attach lights and/or misters to the Shade Sail?

My answer is NO.  We have had clients attach lights using zip ties.  We have even experimented with misters but have not perfect the technique.  Is it worth risking your beautiful shade sail to be the guinea pig with misters?  More importantly, if you alter the shade sail after installation, you void your warranty.

18. What if I only want a custom top made and install it myself?

Since we make every top is custom made, if you provide the measurements, we can make you a custom top.  Call for pricing.

19. Can I buy a package from you and install it myself?

Yes.  If you purchase a package from us, we will provide you with the posts, hardware, installation instructions and a custom top.  Don’t forget to add the cost for shipping.

20. I have seen these Shade Sails attached to homes in magazines and on the web.  Can I attach to my house?

Attaching to a house or a block wall is always a cautious decision.  Your house wasn’t designed to have a force pulling on it.  We will only consider attaching to your house if we can identity a structural point.  You are welcome to obtain your own engineering specification or we can provide them for you, at an additional charge.    If you choose to purchase a ready made sail, please take caution if you elect to attach directly to your home.

21. How  can I get a design or a quote for my pool if my pool builder doesn’t offer Shade Sails?

Once construction begins on your pool, call us and we will work with you and your pool builder to design a shade sail that fits your needs.  In most cases, your pool builder will allow us access to install your shade sail while your pool is being built.

22. What is the longest span you can cover with a Shade Sail?

It will depend on the fabricating technique and which one of our manufactures we work with.  Spans of 60 even 80 feet are not uncommon.

23. How long has Southwest Shade Sails Inc. been in business?

1. Between the founder of Southwest Shade Sails Inc and our associates in Australia, we offer 15 plus years of shade sail and shade structure design and installation.  Can you put a price on piece of mind?

24. Will water go through the fabric?

1. The fabric has about an 80% water deflection rate.  The greater the twists in the fabric, the higher the water deflection.  Don‘t forget that the fabric is porous.  Thus, water will always be able to penetrate the fabric during heavy rain conditions.
2. We do have water proof fabric for select installations.  Please inquire if you are interested.

25. Can shade sails be put up over a community swimming pool?

1. Yes, in fact shade over a pool not only makes swimming more enjoyable, it offers a layer of protection from the sun. 

26. I don’t have a pool but I have a patio or a BBQ.  Can I still get a shade sail over my patio or BBQ?

1. Your backyard should be enjoyed as much as your home. It is an investment. Shouldn't you receivee a return?

27. Does your pricing include installation?

1. We offer both a retail price and an installed price.

28. Is one color better than another?

  Each color comes with the same 10 year manufacture’s warranty; however, the darker the color the higher the percentage of UV blockage.