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Car Park Shade Structure

Westfield Coomera shopping centre child care shade structure installed by Versatile Structures

Shade sails and structures for shopping centre car parks

From the image above you will notice that the Westfield Coomera Shopping Centre has done something a little different with their car park area. They sacrificed about 8 car parks to create a bespoke play zone. The perfect distraction if you are a parent with a needy 8-year-old. Play zones as well as car park shade structures attract more customers to your shopping centre. Creating a sun safe play zone for your customers children and their cars says that you care about your customers. Having a car park with no shade can be a real turn-off for customers. No one wants to return to a boiling hot car after spending hours shopping or cutting your shopping short because your car could be hit by hail. An investment in shade sails and shade structures for a shopping centre car park will help you attract more customer to your centre. Whether you manage a small strip mall or a major shopping centre, whether the complex is located in Brisbane, Gold Coast, or Sunshine Coast the benefits of a car park shade structure is undeniable.  Custom Shade Sails and Shade Structures for Shopping Centre Car Parks A quality shade sail and shade structure installer will design and manufacture the structure for your shopping centre’s specific need. They will look at whether or you need the structure to be waterproof, How much UV protection you need as well as consider the fire performance. fabric component of car park shade sails and structures for installations across Australia. If you have ever worn a tailored suit that was made specifically for you, you know nothing can compare to that bespoke feeling. The reason you feel good wearing a bespoke suit is that it has been created specifically for your needs. The same is true for a custom-made shade sail. It could hide some less attractive bits of your building. Make your shopping centre looking more appealing, and make it stand out. All these reasons will help you secure better tenants and draw in more customer. More customers and a list of tenants waiting to get into your shopping centre means you can charge more rental. Shade Cloth and Waterproof Shopping Centre Car Park Covers Shade cloth and waterproof shade structures are both options for your shopping centre car park. Whether you’re looking for a cost-effective solution that provides excellent sunshade and hail protection or a superior solution that protects against the sun and rain. As with all options there is a top-of-the-line option. A car park shade structure made from solar panels. We understand that winds can reach wild speeds with the current record sitting at 263km/h wind gusts in Queensland in 2015. Selecting the right installer will give you piece of mind that your structure will handle whatever is thrown at it as will also come with a 15 year warranty to ensure your investment maximises longevity. A good shade structure company should use quality materials that can withstand huge wind gusts, high UV and have a high fire performance. A good shade structure company should offer you a wide range of colour options for both the fabric as well as the structure itself. The Process The process for each shade structure company is a little different however they should cover the below key areas: Know the types the shade sails Consult the manufacturer Consider the sun shadow Create a proper hypar Pick the right fabric Pick the colour Know council rules Hardware quality To read more about each step read this article 8 steps to creating the perfect car park shade sail Conclusion In essence there are a lot of benefits of a car park shade structure and partnering with a good shade structure installer will guide you through the process. Depending on rain and council approvals you are generally in for about a 12 week turn around period.

The Stanford Plaza car park shade structure installed by Versatile Structures

Benefits of a Car Park Shade Structure

Building a shaded car park does not have to be an expensive and time-consuming project. With custom shade structures, you can have a carefully engineered solution based on your needs. Car park shade structures continue to be a popular shading solution that offers protection from external weather conditions. They come in different options, including barrel vault structures and skillion options, with lighting and walkways for more versatility. Installing a custom car park shade structure provides the following 3 key benefits. Protection Against Weather Parking lots covered by shade structures can provide cars with effective protection against solar radiation and ultraviolet rays, rain, hail, wind and even dust. They can also help protect cars against certain types of insects and birds (as can be seen from the image below). Added revenue Installing Shade Structures over your car park can increase your revenue by attracting new shoppers, increasing shopper stay time, increasing the street appeal and decreasing tenant vacancies. Security & Safety Most professionals think only of the benefits that shaded parking structures provide during the day, but they can also provide benefits at night too. Our custom shade structures can be used together with lighting features, allowing you to provide added security and safety benefits to parking lots. More benefits from shade structures A single-bay car park shade is ideal for small commercial properties. It can protect a single row of vehicles from rain and hail. When combined with a double bay car park shade, you can extend the shading to the outer edges of your parking area. Double bay car park shades protect two rows of parked cars, making them cost-effective for covering a larger space. Full-cover car park shades offer protection over the entire parking aisle or lot, including the parking bays and driveway. Improve your car park’s layout Reputable manufacturers of car park shade structures offer various fabrics to meet specific protection levels and other requirements, such as waterproofing and incorporated lighting. A double bay car park shade may also have a walkway to protect customers from the sun and rain as they move between your establishment and their cars. Walkways also prevent congestion as they provide dedicated and safer pedestrian areas. Fire protection and wind resistance Some custom shade structures can come with fire protection. Fire resistance helps prevent the spread of fires, in case too much heat causes some cars to combust spontaneously. Reputable manufacturers can also customise your car park shades with appropriate wind ratings or according to the conditions specific to your site. Areas that benefit from Car park shade structures Automotive Dealerships Car Washes Car Rental Facilities Schools Airports Industrial Parks Shopping malls and Retail Spaces Entertainment Arenas and Parks Public Parks, Libraries and Government Offices Residential Complexes Sustainability and car park shade structures Car parks are often seen as a necessary evil for a retailer. The car park doesn’t directly translate into revenue as it is just space you sacrifice to make your customers happy. Owing to the huge space car parks take up they are perfect for solar panels. Have a read about using solar panels in your car park that will help reduce electricity bills, help towards reducing carbon emissions and tell your customers that you car about the environment.

Westfield North Lakes car park shade structure installed by Versatile Structures

8 steps to creating the perfect car park shade sail

A custom shade sail can be the perfect low-maintenance and cost-effective solution for UVR, hail protection and reliable shading for your car park. Perhaps you have seen one at a childcare centre, playground, sports club, or council park, these are just some of the other places shade structures are used. Commercial and domestic car parks can benefit from high-quality shade sails as these products help transform the property and increase its value. You just need to ensure you’re creating the best product. Here’s an eight-step guide to help you with that. When embarking on the process of selecting a custom shade sail for your car park, it is essential to begin by familiarizing yourself with the different types of shade sails that a manufacturer can provide. This exploration will help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and requirements. By reviewing all the options available from a manufacturer, you gain confidence in their expertise and track record in installing multiple shade structures. It allows you to assess their experience and competence in delivering high-quality products. Seeing the variety of shade sails they offer demonstrates their versatility and ability to cater to different customer preferences and specifications. Furthermore, exploring the various options helps expand your understanding and knowledge of what is available in the market. It prevents you from settling for the first option presented to you without considering alternatives. By exposing yourself to multiple styles, colours, and fabric types, you can envision a wider range of possibilities and make a more informed choice. Understanding the different types of shade sails, such as waterproof, awnings, and polycarbonate roofing, allows you to assess their respective features and benefits. Waterproof shade sails, for example, provide protection not only from the sun but also from rain, making them suitable for areas where weather conditions can be unpredictable. Awnings offer versatile shading solutions that can be retractable or fixed, providing flexibility in adjusting the amount of shade required. Polycarbonate roofing provides durability and resistance to hail, making it a suitable choice for areas prone to severe weather conditions. By knowing the types of shade sails available, you can align your specific needs with the right product. Whether you prioritize weather resistance, versatility, or durability, exploring the options offered by a manufacturer helps you make an informed decision that suits your car park’s requirements. It ensures that you are not limited to a single choice but have a comprehensive understanding of the available options, enabling you to select the shade sail that best meets your needs in terms of functionality, aesthetics, and performance. After exploring the types of shade sails available and expanding your knowledge on the subject, the next step is to consult with a reputable manufacturer of custom shade sails. This step is closely linked to the previous one, as you begin to search for an experienced and trustworthy company that can cater to your specific requirements. To start the consultation process, it is advisable to invite a couple of companies to visit your car park site. This serves multiple purposes, one of which is evaluating the manufacturers themselves. By having them come to your location, you can assess their professionalism, expertise, and attention to detail. It allows you to gauge their level of commitment and whether they are capable of delivering the desired shade structure. During the site visit, the manufacturer will typically bring along a draftsman or design team to inspect your site thoroughly. This inspection is crucial for considering the 3D geometry, overall shape, and location of the shade sail. By understanding the unique characteristics of your car park, such as its layout, dimensions, and surroundings, the manufacturer can tailor the design to best suit your needs. Additionally, the installation team from the manufacturer will take accurate measurements for the posts that will support the shade sail. Proper measurements are crucial for ensuring a precise fit and optimal functionality of the shade structure. By having the installation team present during the site visit, you can ensure that the measurements are taken accurately, considering any specific requirements or constraints. The consultation with the manufacturer provides an opportunity to discuss your specific needs and preferences in detail. You can share your goals, budget, and any particular concerns or requirements you may have. The manufacturer’s expertise and experience can then be utilized to provide valuable suggestions and recommendations based on their knowledge of shade sail design and installation. Ultimately, consulting with a manufacturer allows for a collaborative approach to designing and implementing the custom shade sail for your car park. Through open communication and exchange of ideas, you can ensure that the shade structure meets your expectations in terms of aesthetics, functionality, and durability. The manufacturer’s insights, combined with their ability to evaluate your site, play a crucial role in developing a tailored solution that maximizes the benefits of the shade sail for your specific car park environment. A good manufacturer and installer will determine the direction of sunlight on your property when designing the perfect car park shade sail. That way, you can ensure the best position and maximum benefit. Ultimately a car park shade structure is less about the sun and more about what the structure represents to your patrons and staff. Does the shade structure make the customer feel safe to leave their car in the sun or hail for 3 or 4 hours while they are shopping? Is the customer covered while they are walking to and from their car. The only thing worse than walking around for hours caring shopping bags is running through the rain with shopping bags trying to get it into the car. Car park shade structures are part of the brand extension of your business and show your patrons how much you care about them. Something else to consider is telling your customers that you care about the environment and that your property runs on renewable energy. The massive amount of space you have to allocate to a car park can have a duel purpose now by using solar

Solar panels used as a car shade structure

Solar Panel Car Parking Shade Structure

Renewable energy is more than just a trend. More industries and businesses are wanting to be part of a helping reduce global warming and have actively taken on installing solar panels to reduce energy costs and their environmental impact. Car parks are an excellent way to utilize a space that doesn’t directly generate income for a business. If you have an outdoor parking lot solar panels maybe a solution you can implement to be part of the reducing environmental impact, reduce your monthly energy bills as well as provide shade and rain protection for your customers and their cars. That is a really solid value proposition. Manufacturers of commercial shade solutions can customise PV car park shade structures, complete with design, manufacturing, engineering, and installation services. With their help, you can make the most of renewable energy while providing protective shading for your customers’ or employees’ vehicles. What is a solar panel car parking shade structure? Solar panel parking shade structures are custom shading with PV panels on the roof. They can be standalone PV systems or built with an existing solar setup. These custom shade structures allow you to tap on a free energy source (the sun) to run critical equipment, lights, air conditioners and other electronic devices. As more and more cars are becoming electric, car parks with electric charge points will become more popular. If your car park is one of the first to offer this it sends a clear message to your customers that you care about the environment as well as them. Why choose solar panel car parking shade structures? Custom car park shade structures are perfect for many applications, such as government offices, shopping centres, and supermarkets. They provide a cost-effective and practical way to generate renewable energy for your facility. Reputable manufacturers choose high-quality materials and apply advanced construction techniques to ensure long-lasting shade structures with reliable solar panels. A custom solar panel shade structure is a worthwhile environmental and financial investment. Manufacturers can customise it to suit your unique requirements. For instance, it can have lighting and walkways to make the car park structure practical for day or night. They can also work with single bay or double bay structures to suit your space and needs. A walkway in a double bay car park structure will allow your customers to easily access your building and the parking area rain or shine. It may even reduce congestion when pedestrians have a safe dedicated path to access your store. Custom shade structures with solar panels can also work for full-cover and long-stay parking facilities in airports or exposed rooftop parking areas. The shade structure is customisable to meet council requirements. The manufacturer can provide engineering and design details to help your council application. Solar car park design and Installation Solar car park implementation requires a multifaceted design, planning and installation process as it requires an in-depth knowledge across a broad range of disciplines like, civil engineering, project management, design consultation and construction. Once you have decided that a solar car park shade structure is right for your business, choose a reputable company that has all the services inhouse, you want a company that takes responsibility for the whole project from start to finish.

Shade structure blocking the sun by Versatile Structures

About ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and shade sails

Research tells us that Australia is in the 5 top happiest countries on the planet. It offers carefree living, unrivalled natural beauty, a growing economy, and a diverse mix of cultures from all over the world. But there is a catch though: besides it being home to some of the deadliest animals like the box jellyfish, taipan snakes, saltwater crocodiles and redback spiders, the Australian sun also seems to be out to get us. The Australian sun is much harsher and with higher UV radiation levels than other continents and known for having the highest skin cancer rates in the world. This is specifically true for areas like Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast as we experience fantastic weather all year round and tend to spend more time outdoors. This article is not about educating you on sun protection but rather to highlight the importance of making smart decisions when choosing a shade sail, as not all shade sail fabrics are equal. Shade sail function Shade sails are a cost-effective way to increase a property’s footprint and its value. Besides the aesthetic, practical, and comfort providing qualities, a shade structure is of the best solutions for year-round protection against the harsh sun and its harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR). A shade sail’s design and exact positioning are vital as UVR rays vary in intensity, reaches us from various angles: directly from the sun, but also being reflected from the environment. Think about all the reflection from the snow when skiing. Shade sail fabrics are tested for how much ultraviolet radiation the materials transmit. If the shade cloth is over stretched during installation the UVR protection is impeded and reduces the effectiveness of a shade structure How much the shade fabric stretches depends on the type of shade cloth used, the support system as well as the installation itself. Owing to very little regulation in the shade structure industry you need to get an experienced installer to ensure the installation has the right amount of tension to ensure optimal UVR protection as well as ensure the best lifespan of the shade fabric. Knitted shade cloths do stretch and are generally transmit more UVR, while woven shade cloths do not stretch much at all and are therefore transmits less UVR. Sun position Installing a shade structure isn’t just about selecting the correct shade fabric but also understanding the movement of the sun’s changes between Winter and Summer. The incorrect orientation of the shade fabric may result in a shade structure that provides inadequate protection in Summer and turn your shaded area into a frigid zone in Winter. Sun protection classification As much as we would like there to be a grading of sun protection for shade structures there are numerous variables that make it challenging, like the design of the shade structure, the distance from the person sitting or standing under a shade structure as well as the reflection and diffused radiation that varies on the substrate used on the floor. For instance, grass has lower radiation than a tiled floor. Even though the authorities can’t agree the shade fabric itself can have up 99% UV blocking ability. The Cancer Council recommends to Choose fabric that is dark, closely woven and heavy, as it blocks or absorbs more UV radiation. Conduct a shade audit of the site where shade is required Confirm with your local council whether you need a permit to put up the shade cloth. Check the credentials of the shade installer and quality of the shade cloth, such as Does the company include a structural engineer’s report for the site and structure? What warranty applies? Do they provide ongoing services such as safety checks, maintenance, and cleaning? What are the specifications of the cloth used? Has it been independently tested to confirm the UV radiation protection level? What is the durability of the cloth? Conclusion The success of a shade fabric blocking ultraviolet radiation depends on the way it’s designed and installed. For these reasons, it is recommended you find a skilled and experienced designer and installer. Feel free to download a copy of our shade smart guide for more information.

Shade structure installation by Versatile Structures

The complex world of a shade structure

There probably is not day that goes by that we don’t notice or utilise a shade structure of some sort: parking under cover at the mall, having coffee in an outside area protected by umbrellas or just protecting our children as they play on the park playground or at home. Shade structures are a highly effective at maximising health benefits when outdoors as they reduce immediate sun exposure and the effects of long-term sun exposure, and there are many steps to ensure they are the most effective solution, of excellent quality, installed correctly, designed to the highest building standards, meet council approval, provide protection, and compliment the aesthetics and environment they are in. Although the process may seem straight forward, do not underestimate the complexity of the design, manufacture and install a quality custom solution. If you ever wondered all goes into shade structure design and install before you see and enjoy the result, read on. Understand your need As with most services it is important to understand your need in relation to a shade structure and what you are wanting to achieve, both structurally and aesthetically. For instance, are you looking at providing an area for patrons to sit down and eat or protect them from the elements at a sporting event, keep their cars cool and protected while they are shopping, or giving an old building a fresh fresh look? It is important to be clear about the level of protection you are after for example is it only UVR, or it is privacy as well, and reducing utility bills, or protection from wind, rain, and hail? Also, think about whether you need the flexibility of to open and close the shade structure. Do your research Once your needs are clearly identified, do your research and look to find a reputable shade structure supplier. A skilled installer will act upon their own judgement, offer sound guidance, and not accept short cuts or direction from their clients no matter how well meaning. Ask questions like are they insured and licenced, do they offer a contract and written quote? Do they own and control the entire process/do they own factory facilities with access to specialist manufacturing equipment, what warranties do they offer, do they specialise in custom designs etc? Versatile Structures is proud to have won 12 national excellence awards which are testimony to our technical skills, design excellence, and innovation. Location and environment An experienced supplier will ensure they have a clear and accurate understanding of your needs by evaluating the shade structure environment, the orientation of the building, the variant in the sun’s path throughout the year to ensure the structure provides adequate shade and UVR protection, the wind strength, building requirements and approvals most suited to your area, for example a car park tarmac requires different considerations to a six-story apartment block. Furthermore, the supplier will consider access to the installation area, council approval, engineering requirements and of course, your budget. Our team is experienced in working with councils, so check in with us if you have questions. Safety and risk assessment Safety is primarily when it comes to the shade structure installation process. Each site is unique and presents its own set of risks to be managed. Excavations to install posts need to consider underground services such as power, gas, water, and fibre optic cables, while working at heights may require scaffolding, scissor lifts, or whether the project can be safely installed using a ladder. Other factors include adequate height clearance and fall zones for play parks, foundation types, wind speeds, structure supports, fixings and more. Design and Budget Once the shade structure requirements and the budget you have allocated to the project are finalised, the design and engineering team will get to work and present you with the most suitable designs. Shade structure solutions are extremely versatile and allow you to create a fully custom design that not only considers the aesthetics you’re after, but also offer the flexibility of an array of colours and substrates, to satisfy the most decerning of buyers. When it comes to budget, it is important to know that when decisions are made purely on price, there will always be cheaper shade options available. Shade structures are an investment you are making to your property and buying on price alone has its cost like lesser quality substrates and stitching, substandard services levels, workmanship and guarantees. At Versatile Structures we honour our word and ensure we deliver on price and on schedule. Production Once you approved the design, the next stage is doing a risk assessment if needed and getting the relevant council and engineering approvals for the shade structure before the project goes to into the manufacturing stage. Depending on the complexity of the project, it may require a lot of support documents like design plans, detailed drawings of the setup area, and workplace health and safety plans. A shade manufacturer that is worth his salt will ensure most of the manufacturing is done off site to limit the amount of disturbance to you and your patrons. Project management Having a dedicated project manager will ensure that you are updated every step of the process and made aware of any delays such as heavy rain that may push out the install date. Project management also takes care of external contractors like fabricators, electricians, demolition teams, excavators, site managers and architects. Versatile Structures takes full ownership of your project and deliver on what we promise, on time and on budget and our excellent quality control systems ensure you always get the highest possible standard. Installation The big day has arrived and all the decisions you have made are coming to fruition. A quality installer will ensure the structure is sound to maximise the structures’ lifespan and works from day one. As much as you would have seen renderings of the design beforehand, it is not until you are on-site and viewing the project, that it comes to life, and you fully experience the result. Fabric structures need to be tensioned correctly and need to

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