Shade Structure
What Architects consider when designing shade structures
As every architect knows, well-designed and executed shade structures are visually attractive, highly practical, and sometimes even show-stoppers. They can transform any commercial building, outdoor area, or home into something special. What is a shade structure? For architects, the term ‘structure’ refers to any build that is created from interconnected parts with a fixed ground location and designed to…
Read MoreShade 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…
Read MoreChildren need extra special sun care
Sun safety is our core value and even more so when it involves children having to brave the notorious Australian climate year in and year out. We understand the importance of adequate sun protection, especially as our nation is the world’s most susceptible to varying skin cancers that begins at an early age. Shaded cover…
Read MoreThe 6 benefits of a fabric shade structure
Fabric structures are often associated with temporary shading solutions, but they can be economical long-term solutions. With new and advanced fabric technologies as well as construction methods, it’s possible to create custom fabric structures that are long-lasting and can become a permanent architectural feature that adds to the overall aesthetic of your property. Reputable manufacturers of commercial…
Read MoreWhat’s the difference between a commercial and industrial shade structure
As an installer of both industrial and commercial shade structures we’ve noticed some distinct differences between the two in our years. For a civilian, or someone not trained in construction, you may not see a big difference, but each project presents different and unique challenges and processes. Industrial vs. Commercial Industrial and commercial shade…
Read MoreEverything you need to know about commercial car park shade structures
After reading this article on commercial car park shade structures you will have a good understanding of the various kinds of car park shade structures. The team at Versatile Structures have worked on custom shade structures for a single park as can be seen here, this article however will focus on commercial applications. Why car park shade structures Before…
Read MorePolycarbonate, the ultimate UVR resistant shade structure solution
The use of lightweight polycarbonate in shade structures has become synonymous with sun protection as the material does not allow harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) rays to be transmitted. To better understand the value of polycarbonate as a protective substrate against UVR in shade structures we need to better understand ultraviolet radiation. What is ultraviolet radiation?…
Read MoreTop five shade sail fabrics and how to get the perfect cover
Shade cloths, shade fabrics, and also referred to as shade sails, are not just about transforming a sunny spot into a shaded area, they are also great for providing shade over pools (like the Canterbury School pool featured above), car parks and can even be motorized like these awnings. Regrettably not all shade cloths…
Read MoreThe best shade sails under the sun
As with all products not all shade structures are created equal. There are however two distinct factors that makes for an excellent shade sail. The first and the most important is “fit for purpose” – is the quality of the individual elements that make up a shade structure like the fabric, metalwork, and the manufacturing…
Read MoreHow much time to allow for a custom shade project
One of the first questions we get asked when we work on a new shade project is how long will it take from design to install? Unfortunately, rain, council approval, and COVID-19 restrictions are factors outside of our control which can all negatively impact the turnaround time for any shade structure project. The short answer…
Read More