Versatile Structures

Logo

Car Park Shade Structure

Shade sails at Carina State School offer good protection from the sun as the fabrics used are coated with UV protective elements.

Shade structures – your questions answered

When it comes to choosing the shade structure that’s right for you, there are lots of things to consider. There’s cost, durability, colour and size to think about. And with the harsh Brisbane sun, material durability is crucial. Understanding more about shade structures will help you make an informed decision prior to purchase. Here are answers to the questions most asked. What do I need to think about before selecting a shade structure? The type of shade structure you need will be determined by what it’s going to be used for. So, before you start to explore the different types of structures available, think about some of the following. Will the structure be exposed to adverse weather conditions? Does the structure need to cover people or vehicles? Does the structure need to be waterproof? What is the size of the area that needs to be covered? Is this structure temporary or permanent? What are the different types of shade structure? The type of shade structure you need will depend on several things. The primary purpose of the shade structure, where it will be located and how you want it to look. Once you’ve considered these things you can start looking at the options. Waterproof shade structures These are the perfect practical option for outdoor settings including car parks, playground, and restaurants. Constructed using PVC waterproof fabric these shade structures maintain a clean appearance and can be custom designed for the perfect fit. Car park shade structures These are the most popular shade structures for car parks as they provide protection against the elements for people and vehicles. Like any shade they can be custom designed and can also include lighting for use both day and night.    External awning and blinds External awning and blinds are a great option for enclosing an area to maximise its use. Providing protection from the elements, these shade structures are perfect for cafes and restaurants. Being retractable means an area can be enjoyed rain, hail or shine. Shade sail structures Shade sail structures offer good protection from the sun as the fabrics used are coated with UV protective elements. These structures are generally layered in an attractive pattern with flexible design options. They’re best suited to smaller areas such as playgrounds, car ports or swimming pools. How much do shade structures cost? Shade structures vary in cost depending on several things. The size of the structure and project, the material and fabric used, the price for installation and whether the shade is custom made or ready-made. Ready-made options are generally cheaper but not always of superior quality. What you’re saving in money you may be paying for in material quality, durability, and protection. Things are different with a custom-made shade structure. Here’s where we can help. As specialists in custom-made shade structures, we can ensure you get exactly what you want when you want. We provide a full service and offer the best quality materials and workmanship. As part of our quote, we will conduct a site inspection and include a sketch of your proposed orientation. Our custom-made shade structures also have a typical lifespan of 10-30 years giving you peace of mind. What makes a good quality shade structure? Weather tolerant A quality shade will effectively offer protection from the elements. A dark, closely woven and heavy fabric is ideal for blocking or absorbing UV rays. For that harsh Brisbane sun in particular, shade structures should have as high a UVR block as possible, at least 94%. Well manufactured Quality shade structures should meet Australian standards which means that the materials and fittings are long lasting and durable. Product brands Product brands used should be the highest quality to ensure the shade structure is long lasting. Among these brands are Serge Ferrari, Rainbow Shade, Mehler Texnologies and Monotec 370. The lifespan and warranty of the product. A good quality shade structure will come with a warranty and have a lifespan of 10 – 30 years. All fixtures and fittings should be engineering to site specifications. If you’re looking to purchase a shade structure, get in touch with our experienced team today. We can offer advice and help you choose the right fit for you.

What To Look for In a Car Park Shade Provider

Providing shaded car park spaces for clients and customers are a terrific way to offer them protection and a comfortable experience regardless of what the weather is doing. Another important factor is that car park shade structures also increase the value of a property. So, with these two key factors to consider, you will benefit to get guidance from an expert car parking shade supplier before you get started.   Custom shade structures are the perfect addition to retail centres, airport facilities, educational venues, resorts, and hospitals as they provide the necessary level of protection for visitors and their vehicles. Of course, not every car park has the same layout and requirements, which means you will need the exact measurements for your custom shade sails and map out the area. This includes distances and heights. Note that shade structures need to be wider than the area they will shade, while the height will be determined by the types of vehicles using the car park. As a rule, the lower, the better, as this provides more shade. Custom car park shade structures are design to any fit any size site. Comprehensive services Choose a supplier that delivers complete design and construction solutions. Ask if they can take care of council approvals, certification, engineering, foundations, installation, lighting, and overall project management. This usually means they are experienced as not all shade suppliers are equal.   Options You can’t go wrong with car parking shade suppliers that can offer a variety of options, from waterproof PVC to shade cloth, from barrel vault to skillion, depending on your needs. Do you need lighting to make your car park shade structure usable at night? They should be able to provide that, too. A good supplier can advise you on the best materials, structures, and features to use based on your specific requirements.   Experience You will not regret investing in collaborating with an experienced company. It is ideal to choose a supplier that have been in the industry for more than 10 years as inexperienced operators do not know what they do not know and with many simply having a go, it means they could learn on your job and at your expense. Also choose a company that is well-versed in custom design, engineering, and after-sales service.    Build quality Car park shade structures should be built to last and withstand Australia’s harsh weather conditions, which means using high-quality shade sails with steel coatings to resist corrosion, water damage, fire, and a wide range of temperatures.   Installation The perimeter of each sail has a curve (catenary) designed to control the fabric tension. Therefore, they do not sag or flap in the wind. This gives you two benefits. It will not work loose, and it will not fatigue prematurely, these are set at 8% distance in / length of edge, as this is the best efficiency balance of tension vs coverage, if you require this to be set at a lower percentage, please feel free to disc   With Versatile Structures you can be sure you will get the results you are after and more with our one stop in house service covering all aspects of custom shade sail solutions, from the design, engineering through to installation and after care.

Different types of commercial shade systems explained

Commercial shade systems are everywhere – from cafes and restaurants to playgrounds, shopping centres, footie stadiums and high-rises.   As well as providing protection from the elements, including sun, rain and wind, they can maximise outdoor space, enhance the visual look of a building or landscape, and even offer energy efficiencies and savings. But, with so many commercial shade systems on the market, you might be wondering which is best for your commercial space or project. We’ve broken down each in detail to help you make the right decision. Commercial shade sails Commercial shade sails are outdoor structures that are based on the same principle as a ship’s sail. They’re made up of a flexible fabric or PVC membrane, free-spanned and tensioned between anchor points. They can be very cost-effective. Recommended commercial applications Council parks and playgrounds School playgrounds Landscaping projects (hotels, sports courts, zoos, airports) Child care centres Considerations when choosing commercial shade sails Custom design or pre-fab Shade efficiencies (UV, rain) Site-specific engineering (wind rating) Warranty (10-15+ is ideal) Quality of materials (Australian approved recommended) Commercial shade structures Commercial shade structures are different to shade sails. They include an architecturally designed frame with structural steel members and a shade fabric. They can be used in various commercial settings and have a fixed shape.   Recommended commercial applications Construction projects Council parks and playgrounds School playgrounds Landscaping projects (hotels, sports courts, zoos, airports) Considerations when choosing commercial shade structures Custom design Shade efficiencies (UV, rain) Wind rating (including cyclonic) Site-specific engineering Lifespan (10-15+ is ideal) Quality of materials ( Australian approved recommended) Commercial car park shade structures Commercial car park shade structures are a type of commercial shade structure specifically designed to protect vehicles from the elements. They can range from covering just a few bays to rows and rows designed to house hundreds of cars. Recommended commercial applications Corporate office parking Public space parking Shopping centre car parks Hotel and club car parks Considerations when choosing commercial car park shade structures Custom design Wind rating (including cyclonic) Steel coating for site-specific conditions Lifespan (10-30 years is ideal) Electrical fittings (lights, sound) Quality of materials ( Australian approved recommended) Commercial waterproof shade structures Commercial waterproof shade structures include commercial shade structures and car park shade structures. However, not all waterproof shade structures are fully waterproof – so make sure you check the fabric/material. They’re very robust. Recommended commercial applications Commercial construction projects Corporate office parking Shopping centre car parks Sporting club grandstands Considerations when choosing waterproof shade structures Custom design Wind rating (including cyclonic) Steel coating for site-specific conditions Lifespan (10-30 years is ideal) Electrical fittings (lights, sound) Quality of materials (Australian approved recommended) Commercial umbrellas Commercial umbrellas are a type of umbrella that’s stronger than a standard sun or patio umbrella but are still lightweight and flexible. They come in various shapes and sizes and are great for maximising your useable outdoor space.  Recommended commercial applications Cafes and restaurants Pubs and hotels Resorts Sporting clubs Commercial buildings Considerations when choosing commercial umbrellas Custom design Branded colours Minimum design wind speed 145KPH 100% UV stabilised Collapsable or fixed Cantilever or centre post Waterproof or non-waterproof Coated steel for added protection Electrical fittings (lights, sound) Quality of materials ( Australian approved recommended) Commercial awnings and blinds Commercial awnings and blinds are more robust than their non-commercial counterparts and an excellent choice for enclosing an area and increasing usability in adverse weather conditions. Being retractable they allow the user to adapt to the changes of the day Blinds and louvres are fixed to the window and pulled up or down or open and shut; awnings are roof-like structure that extend out. Recommended commercial applications Commercial construction projects Cafes, dining and retail Swimming or sports centre Corporate offices Considerations when choosing commercial blinds and awnings Custom design Branded colours Wind speed of 40km/h or above Lifespan (typically 5-10+ years) Motorised or manual Wind sensors Fixed or retractable (awnings only) Quality of materials (Australian approved recommended) Commercial polycarbonate roofing Polycarbonate is a strong thermoplastic material that’s lightweight, shatterproof and can withstand very low and high temperatures. Polycarbonate roofing can be used for a wide variety for solutions, including roofing, cladding, skylights, façade, and shading. Recommended commercial applications Commercial construction projects Cafes, dining and retail External architectural structures Nurseries and plant shops Hotels and resorts Considerations when choosing commercial polycarbonate roofing Custom design Light requirements UV stabilised materials Extruded colour options Lifespan of 5-10+ years Quality of materials (Australian approved recommended) Commercial insulated panel roofing Insulated panel roofing offers a durable ceiling, insulation, and roof sheet all in one. A typical sandwich pane includes a low density, thermal insulating and sound reducing core with a thin skin layer (metal or polymer) bonded to each side. Recommended commercial applications Construction projects Cafes, dining and retail School roofing structures Outdoor public seating areas Commercial aluminium screens and sunhoods Commercial aluminium screens and sunhoods are an aesthetic, durable and highly- functional addition to any commercial building.  Screens sit flush against the exterior while sunhoods protrude. Both provide sun control and energy savings. Recommended commercial applications Construction projects Low, medium and high-rise Residential and townhouse developments Considerations when choosing commercial aluminium screens and sunhoods Custom design Range of colours and finishes (including Timber look) Colourbond colour options Standard or recyclable Lifespan (20+ years is ideal) Quality of materials (Australian approved recommended) Commercial shade systems – choose the best investment Commercial shade systems are an investment, so make sure you make the right choice for your space or project. While there’s a lot to consider, hopefully this has made your decision a little easier.   If you’re looking for a quality commercial shade system, get in touch with our experienced team today. We can help you select and design the perfect solution for your space or project. Plus, we’ll install it quickly and safely.

Westfield North Lakes commercial shade structure replacement by Versatile Structures

The cheapest supplier isn’t always the best choice

Do a quick Google search for ‘commercial shade structure suppliers’, and around 4,400,000 results pop up. Narrow this down by where you are, for example, Brisbane, and you’re still left with about 170,000 results. With so many companies to choose from, how do you know which commercial shade system supplier to pick? Like any type of shopping these days, it pays to do your research. But what should you be looking for in a reputable supplier? Here are some key questions you need to answer to ensure you get a quality, compliant shade sail system delivered on time and to the agreed budget. How many years of experience do they have? It takes years to understand the technical properties of shade sail fabric materials and master the unique design challenges of commercial shade systems. Because of this, avoid putting your trust in a company that’s just starting out or one with only a few years behind them. Instead, choose one with no less than 10 year’s commercial experience – if they have 15 or 20 years, even better. What types of projects have they worked on? The best commercial shade sail suppliers will be the ones trusted to complete big projects. So, if a company has a proven track record of working on larger scale commercial projects, you can be more confident in their capabilities. As well as browsing their website to check for projects completed, make sure they have testimonials from satisfied customers to back up their work. If this information isn’t readily available, ask them to provide it – a good supplier will be happy to.   Do they own and control the entire process? Direct responsibility from the design, fabric, steelwork fabrication through to the installation is a must. The benefit of this is that they have tighter control over the quality of the product, materials and workmanship. In addition, if anything goes wrong with your commercial shade system down the line, they’re accountable to rectify it and can’t ‘pass the buck’. Dealing with a commercial shade sail one-stop-shop also benefits production efficiency, meaning you get your product faster. Plus, by cutting out the middleman, you’re also cutting out middleman margins for more competitive pricing. Do they offer commercial shade sail builds? Off the shelf commercial shade sail products offer a quick solution, but they may not be the best solution for your business or intended location. Custom commercial shade sails, on the other hand, are designed and built to fit your exact specifications, meet all of your use requirements, and suit the specific weather and environmental conditions of the area. As well as criteria such as size, shade area and waterproofing, custom-built shade sails can be designed to consider things like day-to-day wind conditions, pollutants, contaminants and airborne debris – factors that prolong structure life. What fabrics and materials do they use?  Commercial shade structures and sails are built in a wide variety of fabrics and materials, with some being more desirable than others. Some suppliers may claim a fabric or material is UV resistant or able to withstand Australia’s harsh weather conditions, but many cheaper second-tier fabrics and materials just won’t cut it with prolonged sun, wind or rain exposure. Quality commercial shade system suppliers use high spec European and Australian materials, including knitted shade sail fabrics, waterproof PVC membrane, acrylic canvases and protective coated steel. These give a far better finish and offer long-term performance. Do they have specialist manufacturing equipment and factory facilities?  A good tradesperson is only as good as their tools, so they say, and this can definitely be applied to commercial shade structure specialists. Companies that use sophisticated equipment, such as computerised fabric plotter cutters, high-power radio frequency welders and high productivity installation equipment will produce a better-finished product. If they have their own factory facilities, it can also reduce installation time as most of the pre-assembly and preparation work takes place in the factory, not at your property. This means less disruption for your business. What warranties do they offer?  Many commercial shade sail warranties only cover replacement of the fabric and not the labour and repair costs. Don’t be caught out with nasty surprises. Instead, look for an iron-clad warranty package over the entire system, not just the fabric skin, and ask what product and backup servicing are included. Some warranties from reputable commercial shade structure suppliers last 15+ years. One final word of advice: don’t only pick a provider because of a good price. What may seem like good value upfront could end up costing you in the long term. If you’re looking for a reputable commercial shade sail supplier, get in touch with our team today. We have over 40 years’ experience and have worked on many large-scale commercial projects.

Get your commercial car park shade structure right

Whether for a shopping centre, office or commercial construction, car park shade structures are a must in our harsh Australian climate. In new developments and public spaces, they’re a requirement. On top of protecting vehicles from sun and heavy rain, which can be more extreme in Queensland, car park shade structures also protect pedestrians and customers as they walk from car to building. Before you invest in a car park shade structure, here are some of the key things you need to consider to make sure you get it right. Dimensions of the area you want shaded When you’re deciding on a car park shade structure, the first thing you need to determine is the size of the area you need shaded. First, if you haven’t already, map out the area and get the dimensions of the car park. This includes distances and heights. Note that shade structures need to be wider than the area they’ll shade. Height will be dictated by the types of vehicles using the car park. As a general rule, the lower, the better, as this provides more shade. Custom car park shade structures can be made to any fit any size site. Where the sun sits throughout the day Where shade falls is dictated by the position of the sun. Because of this, it’s important that you understand the sun’s path so you can predict where your car park shade structure will cast its shadow. The sun continually moves across the sky during the day, rising in the east and setting in the west. Therefore, your car park shade structure will cast shade in different directions at different times of day. Here are the basic shade sail patterns: Morning: The shadow falls in a westerly direction away from the shade structure. Midday: The shadow will be under the object casting the shadow. Afternoon: The shadow falls in an easterly direction away from the shade structure. Across the seasons, the sun’s position relative to the horizon will also change. This means that in summer in Australia, the sun is more directly overhead than in winter. Whether you need council approval Whether or not your car park shade structure needs council approval or planning permission is a big consideration. If you don’t comply, you could be hit with fines and be forced to take it down. In Queensland, this depends on a range of factors, such as the design, size and placement of the structure or shade sail, and your council zoning. Generally, car park shade structures are considered domestic outbuildings (Class 10a) of either acceptable or assessable development. Make sure you check with your local council. You may need planning permission if: Your building is a listed local or state heritage site Your building is in a priority development zone The car park shade structure is too large If the structure is sitting closer to street level than the building Specific features of the car park shade structure Car park shade structures and commercial shade sails come in a wide variety of designs and materials. To figure out exactly what you need, think about the climate, quality, colour and any additional features you might need. For example, in humid climates like Brisbane and the Gold Coast, material durability is crucial. It should be waterproof, hail proof, and offer UVR protection. Plus, consider a design that captures channel breezes. In cyclone areas, you also need to consider wind ratings. Is it engineered to meet the Wind Region Rating for your area, set out in Australian Standards AS/NZS 1170:2:2002? When choosing the colour, be aware that dark colours absorb more UV rays, making the shade underneath cooler. Also think about when and how people will be using it. If it will be used at night, you might want to consider getting one fitted with lights. The company you’re buying from Choosing a quality supplier/installer with a good reputation is crucial when buying a car park shade structure. It can be a big investment and you want to get it right. Look for a company with good online reviews. Plus check that they manufacture their shade sails to meet Australian standards to ensure the stitching and fittings are long-lasting and durable. Also, see which product brands they use. Some of the best include: Serge Ferrari Rainbow Shade Mehler Texnologies Extreme 32 Gale Pacific NVG Fabrics In addition, check the lifespan and warranty of the product. A good quality car park shade structure should last for 10-30 years.  If you’re looking to purchase a car park shade structure, get in touch with our experienced team today. We can offer you advice and provide you with a quote for a custom design, build and install it, and gain any approvals.