Everything about our shade sails
From fabrics and sizes to poles, anchoring and maintenance. On this page you will find everything you need to choose the right shade sail.
Made in our own production
Our shade sails are cut and hand-sewn in our own production in Mouscron, Belgium. Every sail is finished with triple-reinforced corners, stainless steel 316 corner fittings and an internal steel cable that spreads the tension evenly along the edges.
The seams are zigzag stitched and triple sewn, and all our fabrics carry the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label. Need a shape or size that is not in the range? We make custom shade sails in polyester, acrylic and HDPE.
Discover custom shade sails
See our shade sails in the showroom
In our showroom in Mouscron our shade sails are set up full size. Feel the difference between acrylic, polyester, HDPE and coconut fibre, look at the corner finish up close and see how the poles and tensioning systems work together.
You are always welcome without an appointment (Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00, Sat 09:30–12:30). Would you rather discuss your own project with an expert? We are happy to plan a moment for personal advice. You can also request free fabric samples.
Visit our showroomChoose your shade sail
The first choice is between waterproof and breathable. A waterproof sail in polyester, acrylic or olefin keeps you dry in a passing shower and needs a slope so the rain can run off. A breathable sail in HDPE or coconut fibre lets warm air escape, which keeps the space underneath noticeably cooler on hot days.
All our sails come in triangles, squares and rectangles, and each fabric has its own strengths in colour retention, lifespan and maximum size.
Polyester shade sails
Our WeatherMax polyester sails are the all-rounders of the range: waterproof, colourfast for years and available in the largest sizes we make.
- 270 g/m² WeatherMax polyester
- Waterproof | water column well above 3000 mm
- UPF 50+
- Colourfastness 8/8, colour guaranteed for 10 years
- Wind resistance up to 80 km/h
- Lifespan up to 10 years
- Up to 49 m², also available made to measure
Acrylic shade sails
Sunbrella® acrylic is the classic choice for a terrace: a soft, woven look that keeps its colour season after season.
- 260 g/m² Sunbrella® acrylic
- Waterproof | water column well above 3000 mm
- UPF 50+
- Colourfastness 7/8, with an 8-year colour fastness guarantee
- Wind resistance up to 80 km/h
- Lifespan up to 8 years
- Up to 35 m², also available made to measure
Olefin shade sails
Olefin is the accessible way into a waterproof shade sail: lighter, in smaller sizes, and ideal for a compact terrace or balcony.
- 240 g/m² olefin
- Waterproof | water column above 3000 mm
- UPF 50+
- Colourfastness 6/8
- Wind resistance up to 60 km/h
- Lifespan up to 5 years
- Up to 16 m², standard sizes only
HDPE shade sails
HDPE is a breathable knitted fabric. Warm air escapes through the sail instead of building up underneath, which keeps a terrace or playground noticeably cooler.
- 340 g/m² HDPE
- Breathable | not waterproof
- Colourfastness 8/8, with a 10-year UV guarantee
- Wind resistance up to 80 km/h
- Lifespan up to 10 years
- Up to 48 m², also available made to measure
Coconut fibre shade sails
Our coir sails are woven from 100% natural coconut fibre: plastic-free, biodegradable and with a warm, natural look that suits a garden beautifully.
- 750 g/m² coconut fibre
- Breathable | not waterproof
- 100% natural, plastic-free and biodegradable
- Wind resistance up to 70 km/h
- Lifespan up to 5 years
- Up to 25 m², standard sizes only
- Supplied with 10 metres of coconut rope
Compare our shade sails
| TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS | Polyester | Acrylic | Olefin | HDPE | Coconut fibre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric | WeatherMax | Sunbrella® | Olefin | HDPE | Coir |
| Fabric weight | 270 g/m² | 260 g/m² | 240 g/m² | 340 g/m² | 750 g/m² |
| Waterproof | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Breathable | Breathable |
| Water column | > 3000 mm | > 3000 mm | > 3000 mm | – | – |
| UV protection | UPF 50+ | UPF 50+ | UPF 50+ | 10-year UV guarantee | – |
| Colourfastness | 8/8 | 7/8 | 6/8 | 8/8 | – |
| Colour guarantee | 10 years | 8 years | – | 10 years (UV) | – |
| Wind resistance | 80 km/h | 80 km/h | 60 km/h | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Lifespan | 10 years | 8 years | 5 years | 10 years | 5 years |
| Maximum size | 49 m² | 35 m² | 16 m² | 48 m² | 25 m² |
| Made to measure | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | – |
| Anti-mould | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Poles & fixings
A shade sail is only as strong as the points it hangs from. Anchoring is never included with a sail, so you can choose exactly what suits your situation: poles where there is nothing to attach to, and wall plates or ground fixings where there is. Below you will find both.
Types of poles
All our shade sail poles are made of black aluminium and come in lengths of 2, 3 and 4 metres, with an angle of 80° or 90°. An 80° pole leans slightly outwards and improves water drainage; a 90° pole gives a straight, tight set-up.
There are four versions, depending on how you want to tension the sail:
Fixings for every surface
How you anchor the sail depends entirely on what you have to work with:
Wall anchoring is suitable for concrete and solid brick. Freestanding garden walls are not suitable, because they cannot take the wind load.
View all fixingsGetting the size and slope right
A shade sail needs room to be tensioned. Keep at least 35 cm between the corner of the sail and the pole, and no more than 100 cm per corner. For a standard size, add 35 cm on each side when measuring the span; for a made-to-measure sail, subtract 35 cm.
Never mount a waterproof sail flat. Give it a slope of 25 cm per running metre, measured from the highest to the lowest point, so rainwater always runs off in one direction. For a 4x4 m sail that means two corners at 3 m and two at 2 m. With a triangle, you simply lower one corner.
Position the lower point with the prevailing wind. A flat set-up is only an option for temporary, dry use: water will otherwise pool in the middle and the sail can tear.
Read the full guideReferences
Buying a shade sail: tips and advice
A shade sail hangs outside all season, so the right choice depends on more than colour alone. These seven points help you pick a sail that suits your spot and your use.
1. Waterproof or breathable
A waterproof sail in polyester, acrylic or olefin keeps you dry during a shower, but it has to be mounted at an angle so the water can run off. A breathable sail in HDPE or coconut fibre lets warm air pass through, which keeps the space underneath cooler — but it does not keep the rain out.
As a rule of thumb: choose waterproof above a dining table or a driveway, and breathable above a playground, a seating area or anywhere heat is the main problem.
2. Fabric quality
Fabric weight says a lot about how a sail behaves over the years. Our polyester is 270 g/m², Sunbrella® acrylic 260 g/m² and olefin 240 g/m². On the breathable side, HDPE is 340 g/m² and coconut fibre a substantial 750 g/m².
Every sail, whatever the fabric, has triple-reinforced corners with stainless steel 316 fittings and an internal steel cable, plus zigzag triple stitching along the edges.
3. Colour retention
Colourfastness is scored out of 8. Polyester and HDPE score 8/8, acrylic 7/8 and olefin 6/8. Polyester comes with a 10-year colour guarantee, acrylic with an 8-year guarantee and HDPE with a 10-year UV guarantee. The higher the score, the longer a dark or bright colour keeps its depth.
4. Wind
Polyester, acrylic and HDPE sails withstand wind speeds up to 80 km/h, coconut fibre up to 70 km/h and olefin up to 60 km/h. Take the sail down before a storm: it is the anchoring points, not the fabric, that usually give way first.
5. Size and shape
We supply triangles, squares and rectangles. The maximum size depends on the fabric: polyester up to 49 m², HDPE up to 48 m², acrylic up to 35 m², coconut fibre up to 25 m² and olefin up to 16 m². Need something larger or a different shape? Polyester, acrylic and HDPE are available made to measure. Remember to allow 35 cm per side for tensioning.
6. Anchoring points
Anchoring is not included with a sail, so plan it from the start:
7. Budget
Waterproof shade sails range from around € 35 to € 95 per m², breathable sails sit at around € 95 per m². Standard sizes are delivered within 1 to 15 working days; a made-to-measure sail takes about 15 working days to produce.
Not sure yet? Request a free fabric sample or come and see the sails in our showroom in Mouscron.
Did you know ...
that every shade sail is hand-sewn in our own workshop in Belgium? The corners are triple reinforced and fitted with stainless steel 316 hardware, and an internal steel cable runs along the edges to spread the tension evenly. All our fabrics carry the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label, and with the right anchoring and a bit of maintenance, a sail lasts up to 10 years.
Frequently asked questions about shade sails
Waterproof or breathable, the right size, the right slope and how to keep a sail looking good for years. The answers to the questions we hear most.
What is a shade sail?
A shade sail is a large, flexible piece of fabric that you tension between fixed points to create shade on a terrace, in the garden or at an event. Because it is not a closed structure, air keeps moving underneath, which makes the space feel cooler and more open than under a solid roof.
At Above & Beyond you will find shade sails in five fabrics: polyester, acrylic, olefin, HDPE and coconut fibre. The first three are waterproof; the last two are breathable and let warm air escape through the fabric.
All our sails are cut and hand-sewn in our own workshop in Belgium, with triple-reinforced corners, stainless steel 316 fittings and an internal steel cable along the edges.
Why choose a shade sail?
A shade sail is the quickest way to make an outdoor space usable in summer. It needs no foundation and no permanent structure: a few well-placed anchoring points are enough, whether that is a facade, a set of aluminium poles or a combination of both.
It is also a flexible solution. Tension the sail in spring, take it down before winter with a pulley system, and store it dry until next season. Because the sail is tensioned rather than built, you can change the angle, the height or even the position later on.
Shade sails in various sizes and colours
Our range covers triangles from 3x3x3 m up to 7x7x7 m, and squares and rectangles from 3x3 m up to 6x6 m. The maximum surface depends on the fabric, from 16 m² for olefin to 49 m² for polyester. Polyester, acrylic and HDPE are also available made to measure, so an awkward corner or an unusual span is never a problem.
The benefits of a shade sail from Above & Beyond
Quality
Every sail is made from fabric with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label and finished by hand in our own workshop. The corners take the load, so they are triple reinforced with stainless steel 316 hardware and an internal steel cable.
Colour retention
Polyester and HDPE score the maximum 8/8 for colourfastness, acrylic 7/8. Polyester comes with a 10-year colour guarantee, acrylic with 8 years and HDPE with a 10-year UV guarantee.
Freedom of choice
Anchoring is never included, and that is deliberate: a terrace against a brick facade asks for something different than a lawn or a concrete surface. You pick the poles, wall plates or ground fixings that suit your situation.
How to maintain your shade sail
With the right care a shade sail lasts up to ten years. A few practical tips:
You will find the right products in our maintenance range.
Discover our other products
Besides shade sails you will find plenty of other solutions with us. Discover our stretch tents, easy up tents, star tents, inflatable tents, pagoda tents and sailcloth tents.
A shade sail above your terrace
Above a dining table, a waterproof sail in polyester or acrylic is the obvious choice: it keeps both the sun and a passing shower off your guests. Mount it with a slope of 25 cm per running metre so rainwater always drains to one side.
A shade sail in the garden
Over a lounge corner, a sandpit or a playground, a breathable sail in HDPE or coconut fibre works best. Warm air escapes through the fabric instead of building up underneath.
Accessories for your shade sail
Make life easier with the right fixings and accessories: a pulley system to tension the sail and take it down out of season, a rope with clamcleat, wall plates, ground screws or a ground plate with concrete weight.
Direct answer
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