Warm weather and summer sun are perfect for enjoying your garden. But sometimes it can get a little too sunny to fully enjoy time spent outdoors, without worrying about sunburn or getting damp in the occasional summer shower.
A sail shade can create a perfectly effortless shaded outdoor area, so you and your guests can keep spending time in the garden, but with the added protection.
What’s the best material for sail shades?
There are a few things you need to consider before grabbing one of your own sail shades, like size, shape and type of fabric. Sail shades usually come in either triangle, rectangle or square shapes and there are 4 main types of material:
– Premium or Waterproof – ideal for unpredictable weather
– Standard or Water Resistant – ideal for temporary outdoor use
– Party (Breathable) – allows extra heat to escape while retaining UV protection
– Standard (Breathable) – similar to ‘Party’ but blocks more UV rays and has a longer warranty
Check out our Sail Shade Comparison guide to different materials to figure out which of these suits your needs best in more detail.
How big should my sail shade be?
Take some time to fully measure out the area you want covered and get a sail shade that’s slightly smaller than the measurements you take. This avoids extra fabric causing structural damage in windier weather.
What colour sail shade should I get?
While darker colours tend to absorb damaging UV rays a little better, the lighter colours do a good job of this too due to the tightly woven material they’re made out of as well as their ability to reflect light. So it really comes down to what colour you think will suit your space most and if all else fails, ivory is a fantastic all around colour choice that suits any garden.
Best Sail Shades
We’ve compared some of our bestselling sail shades to pick the best ones to save you the hassle and maximise your relaxation. Here are some of our top picks.
1. Kookaburra® 4mx3m Rectangle Ivory Party Sail Shade (Woven – Water Resistant)
The fabric on this water-resistant sail shade offers protection from 96.5% of harmful UV rays and has been tested to UPF34+. It’s lightweight and easy to install and maintain. This sail shade is ultra-tightly woven at 140gsm, keeping you warm but protected all summer round from sun and light showers, giving you the best of both worlds.
- Price: £69.99
- Type: Rectangle, water resistant
- Colour: Ivory
- Size: 4x3m
Shop this Kookaburra 4x3m rectangle ivory party sail shade (woven – water resistant).
2. Kookaburra® 3.6m Square Ivory Waterproof Woven Shade Sail
Square sail shades have a multitude of uses in different areas in your garden – it’s easy to create symmetry with them. This sail shade has a rating of UPF50+ and is almost impenetrable by the sun’s rays, protecting you and your garden from potential sun damage. The fabric is breathable and durable, making it perfect for any kind of weather.
- Price: £89.99
- Type: Square, waterproof
- Colour: Ivory
- Size: 3.6m
Shop this Kookaburra square ivory waterproof woven shade sail.
3. Kookaburra® 4mx3m Rectangle Charcoal Waterproof Woven Shade Sail
This bestseller charcoal sail shade can make a stunning focal point in any garden, providing maximum shade and UV protection (98%) while also being stylish. Being rot proof and easy to clean are also big pluses when dealing with unpredictable weather, although don’t worry – it’s waterproof as well so you can still enjoy your garden and stay dry too!
- Price: £99.99
- Type: Rectangle, waterproof
- Colour: Charcoal
- Size: 4x3m
Shop this Kookaburra 4x3m rectangle charcoal waterproof woven shade sail.
4. Kookaburra® 3m Triangle Ivory Party Sail Shade (Woven – Water Resistant)
This equilateral triangle Party sail shade is light and easy to install – with 96.5% UV protection and its contemporary appearance, it’s the perfect sail shade for summer garden get-togethers. Perfect for temporary outdoor use so you can remove and install with ease to make the most of your garden space.
- Price: £35.99
- Type: Triangle, water resistant
- Colour: Ivory
- Size: 3m
Shop this Kookaburra 3m triangle ivory party sail shade (woven – water resistant).
5. Kookaburra® 5mx4m Rectangle Ivory Waterproof Woven Shade Sail
A no-fuss, simple, rectangular sail shade, perfect for any garden. Offering maximum UV protection (98%) and tested to UPF50+ this sail shade is almost impenetrable by sunlight. It offers all the benefits of sitting outside but with none of the damaging aspects, and it keeps you dry in the rain too. Easy to care for (just wipe with a cloth!) and four sided to cover a larger area with strong stainless-steel rings at each corner for easy installation.
- Price: £119.99
- Type: Rectangle, waterproof
- Colour: Ivory
- Size: 5x4m
Shop this Kookaburra 5x4m rectangle ivory waterproof woven shade sail.
Are sail shades worth it?
Sail shades are an inexpensive, quick and easy way to add that extra protection and dimension to your outdoor space. They can be the difference between a few extra uninterrupted hours spent enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends. Depending on what area you’re wanting to cover, there’s a sail shade suited to the space. Remember to consider the shape, size, material and durability.
Our sail shades come in various sizes and colours (up to 23 different hues!) so you can personalise your sail shade experience to suit your outdoor space perfectly. Our Kookaburra sail shades come with a 2-year warranty so you can rest easy in the shade.
What do I do after I have bought my sail shade?
So, you’ve picked your sail shade, but what do you do next? Check out our poles and fittings for everything you need to install your sail shade and our handy guide on how to install it.