Tiawamutu

Looking for something to cover our spa/entertainment area. Have thought about various options like an African gazebo, patio etc but keep going back to the thought of a sail shade.

Has anyone got one?

What do you think of them, and what are the pros and cons?

Any advice appreciated,

TIA

moneypenny20

I hate them, think they're quite ugly and obviously no use if you want to be outside when it rains. I've never seen waterproof ones anyway and where would the water go? Personally, trying to remember your pics of the house, I'd go for a proper roof.

Tiawamutu

That's why I'm asking for pros and cons from the people who have them as I'm not entirely sure if I want to go down that avenue.

Thanks for your thoughts anyway

spartacus

I think they look a bit too 'public parky' for a private house . . . unless it's over a pool etc.

Amazulu

We have one over the shallow end of our swimming pool. We got it so that kids can play in the water under it without having to wear a rashie or too much sunscreen. I like it and it works well. Means I can sit in the shallow end with a beer and not get too hot or sunburnt.

HelenTD

Same for us, except ours is triangular, so partly goes over the deep end too. We have another sail (rectangular) over the adjoining paved area with table and chairs, which also keeps the sun off the study window. It doesn't bother us, but some might be bothered by the clinking noises coming from the fixtures when it's windy, rather like the sound of yachts in a marina. When it rains, the water just goes through onto the paving or on top of the pool blanket in winter. The sails really reduce the glare off the pool and the paving. They also allow the breeze through, where heat can get trapped under a Colorbond structure in some locations.

We are about to have a patio structure put up nearby, so that we can be outside with a waterproof roof, and attach blinds at some later stage if we want. We would put more comfortable seating in this area - I'm ready for a bit of lounging around outside.

scottishcelts

Dunno, but whenever I try to say 'sail shades' it always comes out as shail sades.

moneypenny20

Do you get sail shades or even shail sades in the UK? Are they better?

irishbloo

You can get them,except they are called umberellas.

spottydog

I keep wondering about a cantilever umbrella as it has the advantage over a shade sail that it can be closed when the sun goes in. The only problem is they're bloody expensive

DeadVim

Yeh, I fancied one of those for pool ... maybe in the summer.

HelenTD

We got a couple of quotes for electric awnings that get fixed to the house, but they were going to be more expensive than a waterproof Colorbond structure. We were also concerned about the strong winds we get here - apparently some of the awning-type things have a sensor that automatically closes the blind when the wind picks up. Costs a couple of grand more, from what I remember.

debsy

I had some shade sails - they were even waterproof! However, decided to get rid of them as they did not look at nice as a fixed roof.. It was also very hot under them in the summer and they rot overtime. Try a solarspan roof - it is much nicer.

HelenTD

How long did it take for your sails to start rotting?

What do you mean by solarspan roof - a pergola-type structure with a Colorbond roof?

irishbloo

We bought one last year to go over a seating area.It looks nice on a sunny day.However it does blow around a bit when windy.We screwed it in to the ground but it manage to uproot itself on a particular windy day.It does look nice at night with fairy lights round it.