My name is Rob Harris and I am the owner of Coolashade Shade Sails in Spain. I was recently interviewed for a news article in the press and the interviewers have kindly allowed us to publish the article on our website www.coolashade.com. The interview will be published here in two parts and the following is the first part of this two part interview. I hope that you enjoy it and that it may answer any questions you might have about Coolashade and our attractive, premium quality and protective Coolashade shade sails.Rob Harris promoting Coolashade Shade Sails Spain at the This is Spain Exhibition, Albir 2011

Q. What is a Coolashade shade sail?
A. A Coolashade shade sail is a ‘Tensile fabric shade structure’ that is manufactured from high density polyethylene (HDPE) knitted shade cloth. It is treated with UV stabilizers to give it a very long life in direct sunlight.

Shade sails are a relatively new product in Europe, but they have been used and proven in Australia for the last 15-20 years. They are the perfect solution for providing UV protection during the hot summer months and are equally as beautiful as they are resistant to the extreme weather that can be experienced in Spain.

Q. Why should I have one?
A. A Coolashade shade sail is a safe and practical way of protecting your family and your possessions from harmful UV rays from the sun, especially those that we experience in Spain. An additional benefit to installing a quality Coolashade shade sail is the beauty of it which will add value and prestige to any property.

Not only are they safe, practical and attractive, Coolashade sail shades are cost effective and practically maintenance free and will give you many years of protection and pleasure.

Q. How does it work?
A. A shade sail has a very strong knitted construction but the fabric also allows a shade sail to breathe. This means that air can circulate through the fabric to create a much cooler environment beneath.

The state-of-art high density polyethylene (HDPE) knitted shade cloth used in the shade sail blocks out up to 96% of the sun’s harmful UV waves. On top of this, the material is then treated with UV stabilizers to give it a very long life in direct sunlight. Much more practical than a metal or wooden-based roof, and many times more stylish.

You keep cool under the shade sail out of the strong rays of the sun whilst being cooled by the breeze that it allows to circulate.

Q. Where should I have a Coolashade shade sail?
5.4m Square Shade Sail, colour Desert SandA. A Coolashade shade sail looks great anywhere so where you wish to place one or two or even more is up to you. Our engineers will advise you the best places when they come to inspect your property. Most people install their shade sail close to their pool or over patios. A shade sail is especially welcome where one might eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The other place where a Coolashade shade sail is perfect, vital even, is where your children might play. A child’s skin needs greater protection than an adults so a shade sail sensibly installed over a play area offers peace of mind to all.

Many people also use a shade sail to protect their car or other valuable possessions. Businesses use Coolashade shade sails for plant protection in garden centres, shade for customers in cafés, bars and clubs, cooling shade for their staff during breaks and in school playgrounds to protect the children.

5.4m Square Shade Sail, colour Desert Sand

Q. Can a shade sail be fixed to the side of my house or does it have to be attached to posts?
A. If your house is of a brick/block/concrete construction then the answer is yes. Here at Coolashade we install specialist Epoxy Resin fixings into all wall connections. We do not suggest a simple screw and wall-plug as this only puts pressure on the outer surface of the wall and when your Shade Sail is under load it will fail.

A common question we get asked is whether it is possible to attach a Coolashade to a wall constructed from the Spanish ‘Ladrillo’ bricks. The answer to this is also yes, but while the Epoxy Resin fixings used give the maximum strength possible the wall itself needs to be strong enough to take the tension of the shade.

Q. Do I have to take it down very often?
A. A Coolashade Shade Sail is not a permanent structure, therefore it can be easily removed when necessary. You may want to take your Coolashade shade sail down in winter but generally there is no need to unless you live in a particularly windy area, although our shade sails are manufactured and installed to withstand winds of up to 100kms per hour.

In the majority of cases your shade sail can stay up all year round meaning that it is useful in both the summer and winter months. If however our installers feel that it would be safer to take down the shade sail in winter months then Coolashade offer a complete take down and put back up service.

This is part one of a two part interview. The next part will be published soon on www.coolashade.com

  1. The place I want to install is not blocked from winds. How durable is the shade in winds and how easy is it to take down if I needed to in high winds?

    1. Hello, thank you for your question.
      Coolashades are very resistant to high winds as long as the fixing points are strong you will have no issues with adverse weather. Purpose made Coolashades are manufactured with stainless steel cables in the perimeter to give a rigid structure when under tension.
      If you need any further advise please do not hesitate to ask.
      Rob Harris

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