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Frequently Asked Questions
Fabrics – Shade Cloth
Is shade cloth waterproof?
Since it is primarily designed to provide shade protection and to cool by allowing hot air to rise, shade cloth is not waterproof. In a light rain, water will generally run off the fabric. In a heavy rain, the fabric will become saturated, water will come through and you will get wet.
Why does the UV % blockage differ within the same brand of shade cloth?
Each color reacts differently in terms of the amount of UV rays that the particular color either absorbs and/or reflects. Therefore each color will have a different UV blockage and a different % shade rating. In general, lighter colors of shade cloth have lower UV blockage than darker colors. This works the other way around for waterproof PVC fabric where lighter colors generally provide higher UV blockage than darker colors.
How important is the UV blockage %?
This answer depends on the primary reason for your structure. If the most important factor for you is overall protection from the sun’s rays, than a higher UV % block is very important. The higher the blockage %, the lower the UV penetration and the safer you will be.
What does “% shade” mean?
This is an indicator as to the effectiveness of that particular color and material in providing shade, i.e.; the percentage of light that is blocked out.
Maintenance
How Do I clean my shade sail?
Our Shade fabric is manufactured from High Density Polyethylene, or HDPE which is naturally resistant to dirt and does not retain moisture. This means it will not rot or mildew unlike canvas or other similar products. However, as it is exposed to dust and moisture over time, the shade fabric may become dirty.
Periodic cleaning will help stop the build-up of dirt particles and will ensure that you obtain the maximum life from your shade sail. Our shade fabric can be cleaned with a weak concentration of non-abrasive pH neutral detergent in warm water with a maximum temperature of 120 degrees. The detergent must not contain any acidic chemicals or solvents as they can damage the sails protective coating, weakening the fabric’s resistance to UV radiation. It is important to check the ingredients of the cleaning solution to make sure it does not contain any halogens such as chlorine, bromine, iodine, etc., or strong alkaline chemicals and acids.
We recommend that you soap up the sail first and allow the detergent to soak in for about ten minutes before washing it off. This will loosen the dirt and minimize the need for scrubbing. If it is necessary to scrub, this should only be done lightly as the protective coating on the sail could be damaged. Apply the detergent using a long soft bristled mop or brush and rinse with a strong flow of clean water.
How Do I maintain the hardware?
Fittingsand turnbuckles should be lubricated at least once a year so that they remain free turning and functional.
Fabrics – Waterproof
What makes a fabric waterproof?
Waterproof PVC Composite Membranes are made from woven high tenacity polyester that is coated with vinyl resins. PVC Composite membranes also contain other additives such as UV stabilizers, fire retardant, mold and dirt resistant coatings and perhaps environment protection coating such as PVDF. All of which that enhance some aspect of the utility of the material.
What colors are available?
In the lighter weight materials PVC comes in a wide range colors and for this reason are favored by architects and building designers. While colors will eventually fade to some degree, they do hold their original color longer than many other materials. (See our products section for a sample color chart).
What are the other advantages of PVC?
PVC membrane materials come in a wide range of thicknesses and are used from the smallest structure up to extremely large structures such as airport terminals and sport stadiums. The strength of the high tenacity polyester allows us to place the membrane under considerable tension and form a drum-skin like tautness.
One of the biggest advantages that PVC Composite Membranes have over other materials is that the seams and perimeter catenary pockets are fused together using high frequency welding, creating a watertight bond. With the exception of an occasional wash, the material is usually maintenance free.
PVC Composite Membranes are very popular as a substitute to conventional building materials because while they are keeping out the rain, wind and sun … they allow up to 20% filtered light in. PVC Composite Membranes are the ideal choice in warm climates because they are poor conductors of heat and therefore, much cooler. They also have a cost advantage over conventional building materials especially when spanning large areas.
General Items
Are tensioned structures environmentally friendly?
When compared to conventional construction, tensile structures come out way ahead on the positive environmental impact scale:
- They use very small amounts of material to cover large spans. This means the least amount of material is required to build these structures, thus saving the earth’s precious resources.
- They allow for natural ventilation using the venturi effect.
- They provide translucency for natural day lighting.
- They generally use light colored material for roofs thus reducing the urban heat islands.
- PVC polyester, expanded PTFE and ETFE foils can be recycled into lower grade applications.
Are building permits required?
As a general rule, building permits are required in most areas. Within Hawaii, this does vary somewhat by County and sometimes even your homeowners association can have an impact. The size and materials used in the structures can also have an affect.
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“SkyShades Hawaii shade structures give you the protection that you need … while providing the opportunity to lead the lifestyle you desire.
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