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Commercial Shade Structures

Waterproof Shade Structures vs Shade Sail Structures

Waterproof shade structures and shade sail structures are a great investment. Both offer additional space shaded from harmful UV rays and keep your adjoining home or business cooler, reducing your energy bills. They also add value to your property – and, aesthetically, they look great. Waterproof Shade Sails also offer the added bonus of being an effective rain shield, protecting you and your property from all types of weather – even heavy downpours. But what are the main differences between a waterproof shade structure and a shade sail structure? And which should you spend your money on?     The difference is in the material… One of the major differences between waterproof shade structures and shade sail structures is the specialist material or fabric used overhead. Some of the best materials used in shade sail in Brisbane include:     High-density polyethylene (HDPE) – Not waterproof High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a permeable material with tiny holes that allow hot air to escape.  It’s chemical, mould, rot, and sun resistant, with high water run-off.       Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane fabric – Waterproof Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coated polyester membrane fabric is strong, versatile, and flexible with 100 per cent waterproof properties.       Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) – Waterproof PTFE or polytetrafluoroethylene is a woven fibreglass membrane. It’s extremely durable, waterproof, wind-resistant, and UV ray resistant.       Both waterproof and shade sail materials come in a range of colours, allowing you to select one that matches your design and aesthetic. It’s important to note that high water run-off is not the same as being waterproof.  The first is shower-proof, offering protection only from light rain. The second is fully leak-proof, even in torrential downpours.   …and in the design, installation and price Unlike shade sail structures, Waterproof shade Sails require unique design features such as cross bracing structural supports and angling to ensure water doesn’t pool on the top and create too much weight. Because of this, hiring an expert who can design and install your shade structure is recommended. They’ll consider your usage needs, the local weather conditions and help you apply for council approval if required. Waterproof shade structure material is also pricier than standard fabric shade sail fabric. Importantly, waterproof shade structure fabrics aren’t as stretchy as standard fabric ones. This means you need to ensure your measurements for the structure are correct as you won’t have much leeway.   Waterproof or shade sail – Which should you choose? Whether a waterproof shade structure or shade sail structure is best depends on your needs and what you want your shade structure to do. If you’re looking for a simple shade you can sit under in the summer months or protection for playground equipment, a shade sail structure should be fine. However, if you’re after something more premium or want a car park shade sail or another type of commercial shade sails, a durable waterproof shade structure is your best option. Waterproof shade structures are lower maintenance. In fact, many are self-cleaning, using the rainwater to clean themselves.   Waterproof shade structures are always a good option in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and other tropical cities and regions as they offer protection from the extremes of both sun and rain.   What are the best waterproof shade structures? If you decide to opt for a waterproof shade structure, it’s important you look for quality brands engineered and proven to withstand all weather conditions. Select brands that meet all Australian quality standards, including ones that meet the wind ratings set out in Australian Standards AS/NZS 1170:2:2002.  Some of the top waterproof shade structure brands in the market include: Serge Ferrari – PVC shade fabrics Mehler Texnologies – Coated fabrics Verseidag – Coating and composite Don’t forget to also look for lifespan and warranties assurances. A good quality shade structure should last between 10-30 years. Still unsure whether to get a standard or waterproof shade Sails or ready to take the next step? Get in touch with our experienced team today, who can talk you through your options and provide you with a free quote.    

Commercial Waterproof Shade Sails

Actualising Architectural Design Intent

Versatile Structures were contracted to manufacture and install a unique curved commercial shade structure for the Moreton Bay Regional Council. The custom shade structure sports a collage of aluminium butterflies and dragonflies for Pine Rivers Park and the unique design is intended to be repurposed for multiple new playgrounds over the coming years. Buildability on the architectural design was a challenge due to the curved, offset intent of the steel columns at substantial heights, combined with a weighty load from the swaged wire grid purposed to sustain 46 units of routed 3mm aluminium decorative butterfly panels. The elevated curved steel columns had to be measured precisely to ensure the structure is safe to carry the heavy load of the wire grid. We were asked to assist with engineering detailing to allow buildability of the structure and rigorous testing in our fabrication facility by our expert team guaranteed the true tensile capability of the swaged wire system while maintaining a beautiful, streamlined finish. Our team had 10 weeks to turn this eye-catching structural piece around; from ensuring buildability, to fabricating the steelwork, creating the aluminium decorative panels, digging the footing, managing the install, and doing the paint finishes. We hope the children at Pine Rivers Park enjoy playing under the structure as much as we enjoyed building it.   Custom Shade Structure Considerations Not all shade solutions are equal, especially in Australia’s harsh climate. Custom shade structures ensure that cover is casted in the right areas, using substrates with high UV protection and quality materials that offer excellent return on your investment. With many suppliers to choose from, ensure your working with a company that has at least 10 years’ experience as it takes time to understand the technical properties of shade sail fabrics and master exclusive designs. Also look for a company that use advanced equipment like computerised fabric plotter cutters, high-power radio frequency welders and high productivity installation equipment as these produce a better result. Early collaboration between the client, design team and contractors are critical when designing custom fabric structures, as they require advanced design development, engineering, and council approval. Planning permission is needed if the shade structure will cover an area that is bigger than 10 m2 and/or reaches within 1.8 meter of a building fence line. Non-compliance is regarded as a severe offence that is met with a considerable fine and immediate compulsory removal of the structure. Ensure the warranty package cover the entire system and not just the material.

Shade sails designed, constructed, and installed by Versatile Structures for Bunnings Bundamba

Why Bunnings prefer custom designed shade sail solutions

Working with Woollam Constructions, the Versatile Structures team were commissioned to fabricate and install a custom shade structure of 1,230 m2 at Bunnings Bundamba in Ipswich, in the outer western suburbs of Brisbane. As Australia and New Zealand’s retail leader of consumer and commercial home and lifestyle products, this may then pose the question why Bunnings, who supply to project builders, commercial tradespeople, and the housing industry, choose to outsource this project to a specialist shade sail provider instead of using the shade sails they stock? The answer is easy: not all shade cloths are made equal and even though Bunnings sails may suit most homeowners’ budgets, they are not made from the same quality shade cloth as professional commercial shade solutions and will therefore not perform as well in the great Australian outdoors in the long run. Commercial Shade Structures when designed and installed correctly, should go up first time and last forever, irrespective of UV and weather impacts. Some suppliers claim a fabric is UV resistant and able to withstand Australia’s harsh weather conditions, but it’s a proven fact that many cheaper second-tier fabrics and materials just do not cut it with prolonged sun, wind, or rain exposure, especially in Australia. Bunnings Plainlands Shade sails need to be viewed as an investment in your property and therefore deliver a return on your investment. And therefore, the leader in lifestyle products chooses to outsource their shade solutions to a quality commercial shade system supplier like Versatile Structures, who not only meets stringent Australian exterior standards but also specialises in using high spec European and Australian materials that give a better-quality finish and guarantee long-term performance. Thanks to advancements in fabric manufacturing, materials available, and R&D progression, fabrics now come with longer lifespans of up to 15 years minimum. Good quality fabric, combined with a regular maintenance program that includes visual inspections, annual re-tensioning, and repairs caught early will maximise the lifespan of any shade structure investment. But it’s not only in the fabric. You also need to consider the quality of seam threads and manufacturing process that are used. Conventional seam threads on shade sails and other outdoor fabric products suffer from exposure to UV, wind, and weather. After a few years they become brittle and break. We prefer to use Gore Tenara sewing thread for our double locking stitch process, as it is UV protected and long-lasting. It does not deteriorate from exposure to elements – not even when exposed to UV radiation! – and greatly enhances outdoor and marine solutions. Some manufacturers even offer lifetime warranties to match the life of the shade cloth. As for the manufacturing, we use the latest computerized cutting technology that results in 100% high frequency welded seams, edges, and reinforcing and all our structural designs meet AS/NZS1170.0, AS/NZ1170.1, AS/NZ1170.2, AS4100, AS3600 and AS1170.4 standards. Another benefit working with an expert shade supplier like Versatile Structures, is that they can offer a complete end to end design, construct, management, and installation service that cover all areas of the project, from functionality consideration, initial design concepts, site specific requirements and shading efficiencies, wind regions, engineering, building approvals, structurally sound installations, as well as the commissioning of electrical aspects. Equally important is the access to their understanding and expertise of how to deliver aesthetic results that ensure a visually bold and appealing structure that ensures you are noticed for the right reasons. The design specifications for the Bunnings Bundamba project install consisted of six individual shade sails that overlap to cover a total area of 1,230 m2. (Our award-winning shade structure at Noosa Botanical gardens which you can read about here had a similar approach.) Measurements had to be 100% accurate to ensure the design would create adequate tension to withstand imposed loads. Using 3D modelling enabled us to pattern the shade cloth to exact specifications and we utilised stainless steel 316 grade cables to pattern the shade cloth correctly. We are proud to say the installation were completed ahead of time and on budget, which is a reputation we live by. For the Bunnings Bundamba project we chose Premium Hortshade shade cloth – an extremely high-quality, knitted shade cloth that provides optimum performance in any climate and making it ideal for horticultural, agricultural, and commercial applications, as well as car park covers, gazebo and pergola covers, privacy screens and wind break protections. Made from UV-stabilised High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) with sun block factors of up to 77%, this recyclable fabric is highly resistant to sun damage water absorption and rotting, while providing good weather and pest protection, and overall a more efficient growth environment for plants. Premium Hortshade cloth also does not tear or fray when cut. In addition to Bunnings Bundamba, Versatile Structures also designed, manufactured, and installed shade sails for their other Bunnings outlets in Underwood, Kingaroy, Lawnton, and Plainlands. Contact our team if you have a commercial shade structure project that you would like to discuss.

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