Blog

Tilted waterproof shade sail with rain beading on top and running off the edges above patio furniture
How to Angle a Shade Sail for Rain Runoff and a Tight Fit
How much slope a shade sail needs, how to set high and low corners (including the hypar twist), where rain will drain, and how to tension it. Read more...
Beige shade sail corner connected to a stainless steel ratchet winch wall mount
Shade Sail Hardware Guide: Pad Eyes, Turnbuckles, Cables and Which Kit You Need
What each piece of shade sail hardware does, how to choose between 6" and 10" stainless steel kits, and when you need cables, a winch or a post. Read more...
Dog resting in a wire crate covered with a black breathable shade cover on a patio
How to Shade a Dog Kennel or Crate: Choosing and Installing Shade Cloth
How to choose and install shade for an outdoor dog kennel, dog run or wire crate: 90% shade cloth vs crate covers, measuring and zip-tie installation. Read more...
Brown replacement shade cover on a wooden pergola under a blue sky
Breathable vs Waterproof Pergola Cover: Which One Do You Need?
Breathable or waterproof? We compare pergola replacement covers for sun protection, rain and airflow, and show you how to measure your pergola. Read more...
Round above-ground pool covered by a navy blue winter pool cover secured with a cable and winch, with a tape measure on the deck
How to Measure for a Winter Pool Cover: Round, Oval and Rectangle
A step-by-step guide to measuring round, oval and rectangular pools for a winter pool cover, how the 4 ft overlap works, and how to choose 100, 140 or 180 GSM. Read more...
Shade cloth stretched over a frame above raised vegetable garden beds
Shade Cloth 30% vs 50% vs 70% vs 90%: Which Shade Rate Do You Need?
Not sure which shade cloth percentage to buy? We compare 30%, 50%, 70% and 90% shade cloth and explain which rate suits vegetables, greenhouses, patios and dog kennels. Read more...
Homeowner measuring between a post and a house wall with a tape measure, with a folded shade sail and stainless steel hardware on the table
Standard Size or Custom Size Shade Sail? How to Decide
Most shade sail problems come from ordering the wrong size. Learn how to measure your space, how much room to leave for hardware, and when a custom-size sail is worth... Read more...
Chain-link fence with an open backyard view on the left and a black privacy fence screen with brass grommets installed on the right
How to Choose a Privacy Fence Screen: Height, Length and Fabric Weight
A step-by-step guide to choosing a privacy fence screen for chain-link, wood or metal fences: height, length, fabric weight, color and installation, plus when a custom length makes sense. Read more...
Sand-beige shade sail fabric swatches of increasing knit density next to a waterproof PU-coated swatch with water droplets
200, 220 or 260 GSM? How to Choose the Right Shade Sail
GSM tells you how heavy a shade sail fabric is. We compare our 200, 220 and 260 GSM sails side by side, explain what the numbers mean, and help you... Read more...