Check out this article in the Miami Herald on Shade Solutions!

Getting to the shady side of the street
By Jana Soeldner Danger

A structure that creates shade can add value to a home and make outdoor living spaces more comfortable. Choices vary widely in functionality and cost.

One option is tensioned fabric panels, sometimes called shade sails, that can be suspended over a pool or patio in different configurations.

"It allows you to put shade where you couldn't with a regular awning," says Brian Ross, owner of Smart Shade Solutions in Fort Lauderdale.

The fabric often used for such panels is a knitted polyethylene. Each piece of fabric can be up to 35 feet in length from point to point. It is often attached to support structures using turnbuckles and clips, similar to the way in which a sail is attached to a boat.

Ross often attaches the panels to trees growing in the yard. "If there are no trees, then we put in poles," he says. "But that adds to the cost."

Wood poles are the least expensive, costing about $40 for one the is 12 feet high, Ross says. Similarly sized poles made of aluminum or steel run about $200 each. While the steel is stronger, aluminum is less likely to rust.

Margueritte Ramos of ShadeFla in Miami, says the commercial grade sail panels her company offers should always be attached to concrete walls or poles, not trees. A stainless steel cable runs through each panel, and if it is attached to a palm, it may cause the tree to break when a wind blows. "There's a kite effect when the wind gets under the fabric, and what you attach it to has to be strong enough to support it," she says.

Poles, which require large footers, account for much of the cost of the structures, Ramos says. Using poles of different heights allows the installer to increase functionality, as well as create artistic looks.

"You want high and low points," Ramos says. "They're based on where the sun is at different times of the day for shade, but it's also for drama. Having high and low points can look fabulous."

Both Smart Shade Solutions and ShadeFla offer 10-year warranties on the sail fabrics, which cost from $4 to $5 per square foot. They come in a variety of colors, block more than 90 percent of UV rays and are resistant to fading.

"They're knitted rather than a solid piece of fabric, so they allow hot air to rise through them," Ross says. "They can lower the temperature 10 to 15 degrees."

The sail shade fabrics are porous enough so someone underneath can see through them. "But you can't see in from the outside," Ross says. The fabrics don't offer much protection from rain. "It's like standing under a large shade tree," Ramos says. "If it's just a light rain, it will take awhile for you to get wet. But if it's pouring, you'll want to go inside."

When a hurricane threatens, the fabric panels need to be removed. "A homeowner can get them down easily," Ross says.

Because the panels are tensioned, however, getting them back up again can be a bit more difficult. "It takes more yanking power," Ross says.

A variety of other options can also create shade in the yard. The simplest and least expensive is an umbrella. Free standing umbrellas are available at stores like Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn and Home Depot.

Commercial grade umbrellas may be more expensive, but may also handle inclement weather better. A 13 by 13 foot commercial grade umbrella with base can cost about $900 at ShadeFla. "A high wind umbrella can hold up to winds of 75 miles per hour," Ramos says.

A traditional canopy made from canvas or vinyl and supported by a steel frame can cost $11 to $14 per square foot. "You can add curtains to make it look like an outdoor living room," Ramos says.

A retractable arm canopy is easy to raise and lower. It costs from $2,500 to $7,000 installed. "You attach it to a concrete wall, and it rolls up so it looks like a tube," Ramos says.

One of the most expensive shade options is a self retracting sail. It is made of lightweight canvas with an aluminum shaft running down the middle. When the wind exceeds 25 miles per hour, the fabric automatically retracts and wraps around the central shaft, making it a convenient choice for part time residents who may be away from home when storms threaten. The price ranges from $24,000 to $30,000. "You can attach it to walls, or it can be freestanding," Ramos says. The cost depends on the number of columns you need."