How to Choose the Right Shade Sail Colour

November 30th, 2022 · Published to Shade Sails

Shade sails are a great way to provide shade and protection from the sun in your backyard, garden or patio area. But before you purchase one, it’s important to consider the colour of the shade sail you choose. While this might not seem that important to you, a shade sail’s colour can affect how well it performs – and how good it looks on your property.

So, what factors should you take into account when selecting a shade sail colour?

Read on for our top tips!

What factors should you consider when choosing a shade sail colour?

When it comes to choosing a colour for your shade sails, there are two main factors to consider:

1. Will it complement the colour of your home?
2. Will it offer the UR protection you desire?

So, let’s take a look at each of these factors in turn.

Complementing the colour of your home

You want your shade sail to complement the look of your home – not clash with it. So, take into account the colour of your house or building when selecting a shade sail. For example, if you have a white or light-coloured home, then a darker shade sail will create a nice contrast

On the other hand, if your home is a dark colour, you might want to go for a lighter shade sail. This will help to brighten up the space and make it feel more open.

Whatever shade you choose for your shade sail, just make sure it doesn’t clash with the colours of your home.

A handy tip when matching colours is to turn to a Colour Wheel. A Colour Wheel is a great tool that shows you which colours go well together. It can help you to create a colour scheme for your shade sail that will complement the colours of your home.

Offering UV protection 

One of the main functions of shade sails is to provide protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. So, it’s important to choose a shade sail that offers good UV protection. The level of UV protection offered by a shade sail is measured by its Ultraviolet Protection Factor, or UPF. The higher the UPF rating, the greater the level of protection offered.

Unfortunately, this is often determined by the colour of the shade sail. As a general rule of thumb, shade sails with a darker colour will offer better UV protection than those with a lighter colour.

For example, if the shade will be used to cover a pool, then you’ll need a darker colour to avoid too much sun exposure. On the other hand, if the shade sail is just for decoration, then you can be more flexible with the colour.

So, when choosing a shade sail colour, make sure you consider the amount of UV protection you need. If you need maximum protection, then opt for a darker shade sail. But if you don’t need as much protection, then you can be more flexible with the shade sail colour.

What are some popular shade sail colours that will complement your home or garden décor?

Keeping in mind the above two factors, here are some popular shade sail colours and their UV rating (based on Rainbow Z16 fabric) that will complement your home or garden décor:

• White – UVR Block: 83.3% Shade: 62.4%
• Beige – UVR Block: 97% Shade: 89%
• Brown – UVR Block: 95% Shade: 94%
• Grey – UVR Block: 97% Shade: 93%
• Emerald Green – UVR Block: 98% Shade: 91%
• Olive – UVR Block: 93% Shade: 77%
• Terracotta – UVR Block: 87% Shade: 84%
• Orange – UVR Block: 92.7% Shade: 82.5%
• Red – UVR Block: 93% Shade: 77%
• Purple – UVR Block: 90.5% Shade: 82.8%
• Royal Blue – UVR Block: 95% Shade: 88%
• Black – UVR Block: 99% Shade: 97%

If you’re still unsure what shade sail colour to go for, then why not take some inspiration from your home or garden décor? For example, if you have a green garden, then a shade sail in a complementary shade such as cream or beige would look great.

Or, if you want your shade sail to stand out from the rest of your home’s exterior, then you could opt for a contrasting shade, such as black or purple.

Conclusion

When choosing a shade sail colour, there are two main factors to consider: will it complement the colour of your home, and will it offer the UV protection you desire?

Whatever colour you decide, just make sure you consider the above two factors before making your final decision.

If you need any help selecting the right shade sail for your needs, then please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be more than happy to assist you in choosing the perfect shade sail for your home or garden.

Visit our Fabrics page to learn more about the possible colours available for your new shade sail.