Shade sails are commonly made from high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyester and shaped in a triangle, rectangle, or square pattern. They are available in a variety of sizes to fit your shading needs.
They are ideal patios, decks, pools, carports, playgrounds, and many other locations that need shade. The best shade sails will provide a high-level of UV protection and strong shade ratings.
They are an attractive alternative to other more expensive shade options such as gazebos, cantilever umbrellas, and pergolas. Best of all, they can be placed in areas that are not always accessible by other outdoor shade products.
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The Best Shade Sails for the Yard
Patio Paradise Sun Shade Sail Equilateral Triangle Canopy
The Patio Paradise shade sail is undoubtedly one of the most popular options for backyard shade. It is made from 180GSM polyethylene fabric. The manufacturer states that it protect against up to 95 percent of harmful UV rays.
The fabric is permeable which eliminates water pooling on the sail surface that could potentially damage it. The sail is made with superior double layers webbing for heavy-duty strength at the hem and the corner D-rings.
There are numerous options in regard to size and color of the sail. The sail pictured above is the 20′ x 20′ x 20′ in turquoise green.
However, the sizes range from 2′ x 2′ x 2′ to 28′ x 28′ x 28′ when available.
The following colors are also options based on availability: white stripe/brown & white, orange, light gray, canary yellow, wide stripe gray & white, red, turquoise green (pictured), green, blue, beige & white, green & white, beige, and brown.
Love Story Triangle Sun Shade Sail Canopy
Here is another high-quality sail shade, this time by the company Love Story.
The sails come in the following sizes at the time of this article (when available): 9’10″x9’10″x9’10”, 12’x12’x12′, 16’5″x16’5″x16’5″, 16’5″x16’5’x22’11”, 20’x20’x20′.
There are also several gorgeous colors to choose from. These include sand, blue, brown, terra red, dark gray, and beige.
The material is 100 percent 185GSM new high density polyethylene (HDPE). It allows the wind, water, and light through but also provides a nice level of shade.
It supplies an 85 to 90 percent shade rating with up to a 95 percent UV ray protection. You can see the difference in material and even shade protection with this sail’s shade in comparison to another brand.
This shade sail is equipped with heavy-duty D-rings on the corners for a lasting hold. The manufacturer provides strong rope as a bonus. Three pieces of rope are supplied at 4.9 feet each.
Shade & Beyond Rectangle Shade Sail
This Shade & Beyond sail is an excellent option for a rectangle sail. Its colors include sand, light gray, and rust red. It comes in five sizes that include 7’x13′, 8’x10′, 10’x10′, 10’x13′, x 12’x12′. While the colors are somewhat limited, there a plenty of sizes to select from.
The material is the common HDPE which is permeable. It is 185GSM for a nice layer of protection from the sun. It supplies up to 98 percent UV protection and approximately 85 percent sunshade.
The D-rings on the corners are stainless steel 304 Marine Grade. They will both resist rust and ensure a tight hold of the sail.
This is an excellent option for multiple areas around the yard that need shading. This might include the carport, pool, deck, an many other locations.
Artpuch Shade Sail Canopy
The Artpuch shade sails are made in both rectangle and triangle designs. The current available colors are sand, rust red, and gray.
There are plenty of sizes to select from (when available): 7’x13′, 8’x10′, 10’x10′, 10’x10x14′, 10’x13′, 12’x12′, 12’x12’x12, 12’x12’x17′, 12’x16′, 15’x15’x21′, 16’x16’x16′, 20’x20’x20′.
This shade won’t block the rain with its permeable, 185 GSM HDPE material, but it will do a solid job at blocking the sun. It provides 80 to 85 percent shade and up to 98 percent UV rays.
The D-rings are manufactured using high-quality stainless steel for lasting strength and durability. The rings are designed not to rust and are secured by double-layer webbing on the sail.
ColourTree Sun Shade Sail
If you are looking for a very specific size for a rectangle sun shade, ColourTree likely has you covered. Click the Amazon button above for a long list of sizes. Frankly, there are too many sizes for us to list here for practical purposes.
The company offers a nice selection of colors that you might not find with other brands. These include beige, black, blue, brown, gray, red, turquoise, white, and sand beige.
The shade blocks 95 percent of the UV rays under its cover. It is made from a thick 190GSM HDPE material for superior quality. Despite its thickness, water won’t pool on its surface to later create problems.
The edges are equipped with stainless steel D-rings constructed out of 314 steel. There should be little worry of these rings not holding up over normal daily use.
Shade Sail Hardware Kit
- Hardware kit for rectangle and square sun shade sail, everything you need to hang a shade sail.
- Made from High Quality Stainless Steel Diamond Pad eye and Turnbuckle
- Galvanized steel Carbineer / Hook
- Includes: Turnbuckle x2pcs, Diamond Pad eye x 4pcs, Carbineer/hook x 2pc
- Adjustable turnbuckle to create tension.
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You should consider purchasing a shade sail hardware kit such as the one above to make mounting safe and easy. If you visit Amazon to view this kit, you will see option to purchase kits for square, rectangle, and triangle shaped sails.
Before you purchase one of the best shade sails for your yard, be sure to greatly consider the area you want shaded and how you plan to mount the sail. It is easy to underestimate or overestimate the area that needs shading and to forget about areas to mount the sail.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can shade sails be waterproof?
- Yes, some shade sails can be purchased as a waterproof shade. An example is this Love Story shade sail found on Amazon. The shade needs to be angled appropriately for proper water runoff and to avoid pooling on the surface.
- Can a shade sail attach to a fence?
- Yes, but the common rule is that it should only be attached to a fence post that has been cemented in the ground.
- Can a shade sail attach to the gutters?
- This is not recommended since gutters do not provide nearly enough support for the shade sail.
- Can a shade sail be left out over winter where it snows?
- No, heavy snow that accumulates on the surface can damage the shade sail. They are not strong enough to handle the snow load. Store the shade sail out of the elements when not in use for extended periods.