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Commercial Shade Structures

Tensile membrane structure installed by Versatile Structures

Fabrics used in tensile membrane structures

What fabrics are used in tensile membrane structures? Depending on who you talk to in the shade structure industry, the material used to cover the structure can be referenced as either fabric or cloth. Fabric is essentially a material produced by weaving multiple fibres together for strength. Architectural fabrics is a combination which uses a woven polymer fabric coated or laminated with a synthetic material layer to form a membrane. This membrane is then tensioned over a steel frame to produce a shade structure, umbrellas, facades, or art installation pieces. The advantages of using a tensile membrane structure created with woven polymer fabrics include Lightweight – meaning there is less structural support required which makes it is generally more cost effective Translucent – allowing natural light to filter through the material, which means spending less on artificial lighting Durable – the polymer fibres do not rust, corrode or breakdown in UVR light which means they have a long-life span Aesthetic – tensioned membranes form beautifully curved surfaces allowing architects and designers free range to create unique structures. The most common architectural fabrics used in tensile membrane structures are Vinyl-coated polyester which is a polyester base material laminated or coated with polyvinyl chloride Fiberglass, a woven fiberglass base is generally coated with polytetrafluoroethylene Transparent polymer films or foils Polyethylene mesh or a plastic mesh produced from a variety of base resins. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) offer versatility at a reasonable cost, making them the two most popular resin choices for plastic netting. The inclusion of a translucent aerogel in the fabric composition adds insulating properties UVR considerations Australia is known for its high UV-radiation, which is especially true for areas like Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast. Dr Rick Tinker from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) said the December 2016 daily maximum UVR index average for Brisbane was 12.4. The highest ever recorded average was 12.5. Obtaining the right fabric with the best UVR rating is critical for a tensile membrane structure. Read more about UV and shade fabric. Fire considerations Along with considering UV radiation it is also important to consider how flame retardant material is, especially if the shade structure’s key purpose is to protect people. It is important that shade cloth be tested to AS1530 parts 2 and 3 that uses a fixed flame in contact with the fabric as specified by the Australian Standards. You can read more about shade structures and fire performance. Conclusion Essentially there are several elements to consider when choosing a fabric for a tensile membrane structure. It is advised that you speak to a shade sail expert like Versatile Structures, before making a final decision.

The psychology of choosing a shade sail colour

Whether you want to transform your shaded outdoor area with an aesthetic appearance that is light and airy, bold, and sophisticated, or any combination in between, you will be spoilt for choice as there are so many shade sail colours to choose from. Are you wanting the shade sail to blend into its surrounds or to stand out as a striking design feature? Matching shade sails to the colour of the existing structures will create a seamless aesthetic, while combining multiple shade cloth colours will add depth to a design and create visual interest that looks modern and bespoke. Different shade sail colours create different ambiences. Bright and light   White is timeless and always looks beautiful against a bright blue sky. While all high-quality shade sails provide excellent sun protection, lighter colours let in more light but may offer slightly less UVR protection than darker coloured sails. Play it cool The earthy shades of beige, pale sandy fawn, and light yellowish-brown compliments most colours other than grey and works well at a pool setting or near water as its calm, neutral tone creates an outdoor space that feels relaxed and laid back. Welcoming Regardless of the hue of blue you choose for your shade sail, you will create a space that feels welcoming and calming. Dark and dramatic   Black is the most classic and sophisticated of all colours, compliments its surrounding, and blends in well with the outdoors. While darker colours may allow less light and UVR penetration, they are known for hiding the dirt well, which is great if you are after a lower maintenance option. Go designer Grey shade sails blend beautifully with nature’s hues and is the choice for many a designer, who are looking for a blended solution. Fun and playful Bold and bright shade sails are fun, playful, and stand out. Combining colourful shade sails create an ultra-modern contrast and ideal for bigger spaces like children’s play areas, and hospitality and commercial areas. Branding The colours you choose should also be considered as an extension of your brand if you are using the space commercially. Brewdog in Brisbane is a good example of choosing colours that complement the colourful design of their walls and creates a cheerful feeling when you enter the space. Top sail fabrics Sadly, not all shade fabrics are created equal. They differ in UVR effectiveness, warranty lengths, cloth quality and strength. This article will help you better understand which fabrics we recommend and what their strengths are. Shade structure styles Colour may be the first thing we notice when looking at a shade structure, but the shade structure and style is important too, as it can have as big an impact on a space as the colour. It may be worth having a quick read through our write-up on the different types of structures to get a better sense of what is possible. Waterproof If you are thinking of choosing a waterproof structure, the colour options are different to normal shade fabric. These PVC colour brochures cover all waterproof solutions. Structure Colours Another colour consideration is the steel used in the construction itself. There are multiple powder coat colours to choose from. Have a look at these brochures to get an idea of what is available. Conclusion The colours you chose will impact the amount of maintenance required, UVR absorption, heat as well as whether the shade structure is on trend. It is worth taking your time to choose the right colour however if you do feel like a change over time, it is easy to change.

Shade sails installed by Versatile Structures for Supercheap Auto

Shade structures by industry

Shade structures by industry There are no hard and fast rules about which shade structure design you can or can’t use for your business or residential property. With hundreds of styles, colours and shade fabrics to choose from, different industries seem to gravitate to certain shade structure solutions though. The reason for that is that specific shade structure designs are most suited to solving an explicit need or problem that is common to that industry. Let’s consider a few examples. Sports and Recreation Iconic sport stadiums may be the first thing that comes to mind, but there are also grandstands, swimming and aquatics facilities, multipurpose sports courts and bowling green canopies to mention some. These shade solutions need to offer sufficient shade to protect the users of that area but also provide cover for the equipment and facilities. There are a smaller shade structures that can also be considered, like the shade structure we designed, manufactured and installed for the Noosa Council Skate Park. Retail and Commercial Shade structures provide shade and weather protection for patrons, guests and customers and are vital in creating the right customer experience for a retail or commercial business. Imagine an outdoor dining area without protection from UV radiation or what the impact would be if Bunnings didn’t have shade over their nursery. We created and installed over 5,000 m2 of shade sails for nurseries at Bunnings outlets in Ipswich, Kingaroy, Bundamba and Underwood to create an effective way of filtering the light and enabling the growth of plants that usually require a tree canopy. Schools Covered outdoor learning areas are a great way for students to enjoy the fresh air and sunlight without exposing their young skins to the harsh UVR. Shade sails not only block out the harmful UV rays of the sun, but they also assist in repelling the heat that would otherwise impact students in the playground and schoolyard. An example of creative thinking is this multicolour custom designed shade sail we installed at St Joseph’s Tobruk Memorial School in Beenleigh, Queensland to enable an outdoor classroom and inspiring an innovative space to relax during breaks. Hospitality and Tourism Not all shade structures need to be so bright and vibrant that they can be seen from space. Below is a great example of a restaurant that identified the opportunity to expand their footprint by creating a waterproof outside dining area that made optimal use of natural light. Using a translucent PVC with a glazed vertical walling system allowed Meccah Bah customers to comfortably enjoy their meals regardless of what the weather is doing outside. Government and Council Government projects can be challenging owing to their scale and the levels of processes, regulations and approvals that are required. It is owing to these regulations however that Australia is such a secure place and have much to offer all citizens who call Australia home. One example is a large-scale shade project we did for Noosa Council at the Noosa Botanical Gardens, that won two awards. With an area surrounded by a well-established tree canopy, the shade sails needed to be visually pleasing while simultaneously managing the light and humidity for the precious and sensitive plant community beneath – read more about the project. Transport and Infrastructure How often have we used public transport and not even noticed the shelter making our transition more comfortable either by providing clear signage of where to go or providing shade or protection from the rain while we wait. We were tasked with designing, fabricating, and installing a variety of custom aluminium and Cor-Ten signs as part of the multimillion-dollar Caboolture to Wamuran Rail Trail development. This included the Margaret Street Entry sign, double-sided identification signs, the laser cut distance marker plates on the path and rail trail crossing signs throughout. We needed to warrant that the signage reflects the architect’s vision and the unique landscape. To ensure the signage last, the customised cast vinyl graphics panels were covered with a satin 60% gloss protective UV resistant clear coat. We hope this article inspires some ideas about what is possible and who knows, you may even create a new custom solution. Certainly, keep us posted if you do!

Retractable Shade sails installed by Versatile Structures

Are retractable awnings worth it?

The return-on-investment for retractable awnings is good as the cost is minimal compared to constructing a deck or patio roof. Retractable awnings also provide shelter from the heat and sun, save costs on energy bills, and offer you the flexibility of how much time wish to spend outdoors. When considering installing an awning for your outdoor space, there are three key factors to consider namely its value, cost, and durability. It can be hard to quantify the value of a shade solution, however if you take the following notions into account, a retractable awning proves to be an excellent decision. Value of an awning Having a retractable awning adds value to an outdoor space as it offers the flexibility to extend the awning on a blistering sweltering day so you and your patrons can safely spend more time outdoors. Similarly on a beautiful summer’s night you would like close the awning to expose the night sky and allow the cool breeze to wisp through your venue. The value of having a retractable awning is the flexibility and comfort it provides, while a fixed awning does not give you as much freedom. How much does a retractable awning cost? The cost of retractable awnings depends on the quality of shade fabric and hardware used, if it is motorised or manually operated, its size, and if it is a custom designed solution or bought off the shelf. The cost of retractable awnings depends on which options you choose. Manual or Motorized Retractable awnings can either be manually operated or be high tech with a remote control that has the option to be combined with rain and wind sensors. Expect to pay a little more for the motorised option, but the ease of remote control and the convenience of a sensor are well worth the investment. Standard or Custom Any shade structure is an investment as it adds value to a property and there are many benefits to having an awning that fits perfectly over your outdoor space. If you have the budget to customize the size, colour and fabric selection, as well as include a motorized option, it is well worth the cost to go for a custom solution that perfectly fits your unique space. You may pay more upfront, but overall, a quality, customised solution is a wiser investment. Durability Durability is directly associated to the shade sail fabric and hardware materials used in the construction of a retractable awning, plus the quality of the install and ongoing maintenance. As structures are above people’s heads it is important to not only have great engineering but also use high quality materials in the construction of an outdoor shade structure. Read more about quality hardware for shade structures here. The benefits of retractable awnings ·        Keep your indoor and outdoor space cooler Retractable awnings can make an outdoor space up to 20 degrees cooler. An extended awning provides shade and restricts the amount of natural sunlight that hits the building. By casting shade over windows, they can also lower the indoor temperature by as much as 15 degrees. That could save you a significant amount on the air conditioning bill! ·        Convenient and attractive With retractable awnings, you can extend or retract them at the touch of a button, allowing you to enjoy the space as you desire. Retractable awnings are often more attractive than traditional stationary awnings as they have less infra-structure underneath the sails, so you get a less obtrusive view of your surroundings. ·        The return on investment is great In addition to the cost savings on energy bills, the return-on-investment for retractable awnings is great since the initial cost is minimal compared to adding a roof over your deck or patio. They also provide protection from the heat and sun, increasing how much time you will want to spend outdoors. ·        Less susceptible to weather damage Traditional awnings are left to endure inclement weather, so they are likely to get damaged during storms. Retractable awnings can easily fold up during high winds or other weather events, protecting them from getting damaged. Motorized awnings typically come with a sensor for wind and rain, allowing them to automatically retract when high wind or rain is detected. Since they are less susceptible to weather damage, retractable awnings tend to outlast other types of awnings. Awning options Once you are sure that a retractable awning is the right solution for your space, you now need to decide which awning will best suit the look you are trying to create. Here are some awning options for you to look at.

Shade sails installed by Versatile Structures in the Noosa Botanical Gardens

Shade structures and sustainability

Shade structures are essentially produced with the purpose of providing shade and reducing UV radiation. This means they have an underlying environmental purpose at their core. Shade structure specialists follow environmentally friendly practices like using water-based coatings, re-using waste products, and recycling shade substrates. In fact, it is possible to recycle the entire shade structure from the steelwork and fixings to the fabric. As most membranes are easy to remove, they are widely recycled across the globe and shade structure specialists rely heavily on the textile industry’s manufacturer-supported recycling process. In addition, shade structures also contribute to the sustainability, as they offer energy advantages over brick, metal, or glass They are light weight as they are made with less raw materials, Provide passive cooling benefits for both indoors areas and outdoors, Provide natural light as translucent fabrics reduce reliance on artificial lighting, Provide cooling from natural heat reflecting properties of fabrics, And have no ongoing operating costs. The Environment Most shade structure installers take in consideration what impact a new structure that is being erected will have on the environment. These environmental considerations include factors like the site heritage, preservation of trees, preventing erosion, preserving diversity of the ecology, containment of water, and so much more. An award-winning example of the various environmental aspects that had to be considered is the shade structure erected in the Noosa Botanical Gardens. Minimising the environmental impact is vital to an experienced installer and it’s quick to spot good installers, as they start their environmental and safety reviews at the planning, development and design stages – before a single post has been erected. Benefits Some of the benefits of shade sails and structures include Minimise exposure to the sun’s harmful UVR rays Reduce energy consumption of resources like artificial lighting, heating, and air conditioning Cool down areas as the structure allows air to pass through, keeping the area underneath cooler Increase the comfort level as it is forms a protective barrier from wind, dust, rain, or snow which make them ideal for undercover parking Protect everything that is underneath like cars, furniture, and people In essence shade structures are a great solution to live more sustainably, reducing your footprint and assisting in using less building materials to achieve the same outcome. Instead of building a garage, a cheaper and less resource intensive option is a car port.

Marine grade shade structure fittings used by Versatile Structures

Using high quality shade structure hardware is key

Fittings hardware are easily overlooked when it comes to shade structures as the colourful shade fabrics and architectural designs are always first to catch the eye. Some people may take note of the structural steelwork that supports the shade structure frame, but only a handful will notice what hardware and fittings are used from nuts, bolts, and shackles, to turnbuckles, wire rope, hooks, and more. As important as it is to choose a shade fabric that is fire resistant and offers high UVR protection, it is equally as important to choose quality shade structure fittings and hardware, as these are the ‘glue’ in the connection points that hold the structure together. It is crucial that the fittings used for a shade structure have all the same features as being highly fire and UV resistant, but they also need to be corrosion resistant, rust proof and able to withstand immense tension and pressure. A tiny turnbuckle needs to withstand hundreds of kilograms of structural load, exacerbated by 100km/h coastal winds saturated with sea salt. Hardware typically is available in 316 and 304 grade stainless steel and 8.8 structural and 4.6 regular grade galvanized steel. The size and shape of the hardware needed are determined by structural loads and tensioned membrane requirements, consisting of steel cabled hems with threaded end fittings. Versatile Structures uses forged AISI 316 marine grade stainless steel fittings, Hilti branded chemset bolts and wire rope to ensure for strong corrosion free fittings that stand the test of time. Sail Corner Fixings: A key element in addition to using marine grade stainless steel, is encasing the 316 stainless-steel sail wire in a double folded pocket with corner reinforcement using a double layered of shade structure fabric and seatbelt webbing that not only protects the already super strong marine grade steal but also adds to the overall strength of the shade structure. We use 316 stainless-steel in all our sale corner fixings because it is stronger, lasts longer and looks great. Steel Welding Quality: All our steel is welded by our expert team of boilermakers at our factory in Wacol, Queensland which means we are in control of the process and the quality of our output. Stitching: All stitching is GORE ® TENARA ® Sewing Thread, a long-lasting UVR protected threat, performed using a double locking stitch. Conventional seam threads on shade sails and other outdoor fabric products suffer from exposure to UVR, wind, and weather and become brittle and break after a few years. In contrast, GORE ® TENARA ® Sewing Thread is a thread on which you can really rely. It does not deteriorate from exposure to elements – not even when exposed to UV radiation! Shade structure fittings like turnbuckles are furthermore coated in anti-seize to ensure easy removal should you decide to change the colour of a shade structure or if the shade structure needs repair from say a car driving into shade structure. Making sure your shade structure supplier uses quality fittings is a sure way for you to ensure a return on your investment.

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