Description
This is a rectangular shade sail measuring 5.4 x 5.4 metres in sand, made from 180GSM knitted HDPE that blocks 95% of UV (UPF 20+), with a steel ring at every corner - $61.99. It covers a little over 29 square metres, which is enough for a full patio, a carport bay or a play area.
Australian sun is the reason this product exists. A rectangle is the shape most people actually need, because most of the things worth shading - a deck, a driveway, a pool surround, a courtyard - are rectangular, and a square sail wastes less area over a square space than a triangle does. Knitted fabric matters just as much as the shape: it lets hot air rise through the weave instead of trapping it underneath, so the space below stays cooler than it would under solid canvas, and it does not balloon like a sail in a gust.
Specifications
| Shape |
Rectangle |
| Size |
5.4 x 5.4m |
| Colour |
Sand |
| Material |
Knitted HDPE |
| Fabric density |
180GSM |
| UV block |
95% (UPF 20+) |
| Corners |
Steel rings at every corner |
| Edges |
Hemmed with heavy duty wide webbing |
| Breathability |
Knitted weave allows air flow |
What's in the Box
| 1 x |
Rectangle shade sail 5.4 x 5.4m |
Why Choose This Rectangular Shade Sail
-
29 square metres of cover - a rectangle wastes far less area over a deck or driveway than a triangle of similar span.
-
Knitted, not solid - hot air escapes upward through the weave instead of being trapped underneath.
-
180GSM fabric - a heavier density than the light domestic sails, which is what determines how long it lasts outdoors.
-
Steel rings at all four corners - the load points are metal, not stitched fabric loops.
-
Webbing hemmed edges - wide webbing all the way around spreads tension along the edge rather than concentrating it at the corners.
How Much Space Does a 5.4 x 5.4m Sail Actually Cover?
The sail itself is 29.16 square metres of fabric, but the shaded area on the ground is not the same thing - it moves through the day as the sun tracks across the sky, and it shrinks when the sail is pitched at an angle. Plan for the shadow to sit north of the sail through the middle of the day in Australia, and mount the northern corners higher than the southern ones if you want shade over a specific spot at midday. Also allow for the fittings: turnbuckles and shackles add roughly 150 to 300mm at each corner, so your fixing points need to be further apart than 5.4m.
How Tight Should a Shade Sail Be Tensioned?
Tight enough that it does not flap, and no tighter. A loose sail flaps in wind, and flapping is what tears fabric and pulls fixings out of walls - it does far more damage than a strong steady wind ever does. A sail stretched drum tight puts constant load on your fixing points and on the corner rings, which is its own problem. Aim for a taut surface with a slight curve, use turnbuckles so you can adjust the tension seasonally, and re-tension after the first few weeks once the fabric has settled.
Should You Take a Shade Sail Down in Winter?
In most of Australia, yes, if you get strong winter storms. Sails are designed for sun load, not for sustained gale force wind, and taking one down for a few months is far cheaper than replacing it or repairing a wall anchor. It also lets winter sun into the space, which is usually what you want. Untie it at the turnbuckles rather than cutting anything, dry it fully before folding, and store it somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight.
Buyers are homeowners shading a deck, patio or courtyard, people covering a carport bay or a caravan, families putting shade over a trampoline, sandpit or above ground pool, and renters who want something that can come down and move house with them. It also sells to schools, community groups and market stallholders wanting an affordable span of cover.
If your space suits a triangle instead, we stock the 5 x 5 x 5m triangle shade sail in the same sand fabric. For a rigid, permanent option over a door or window, look at the 1m x 6m polycarbonate window awning, and browse Home and Garden for the rest of the outdoor range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fixings, ropes or turnbuckles included?
No. You receive the sail only. Turnbuckles, shackles, ropes and wall or post anchors are sold separately and should be sized for your installation.
Is it waterproof?
No. Knitted HDPE is a shade fabric, not a waterproof one - it is designed to let air and water through. If you need rain cover, choose a solid awning instead.
What does 180GSM mean?
Grams per square metre, a measure of fabric density. Please note the manufacturer's spec sheet labels this line "Net weight", which is incorrect - 180GSM is the fabric density, not the weight of the sail.
How far apart should my fixing points be?
Further apart than the sail itself, to leave room for hardware. Allow roughly 150 to 300mm per corner for turnbuckles and shackles.
Can it be left up permanently?
The manufacturer describes it as suitable for permanent installation, but we recommend taking it down before severe weather and over winter in storm prone areas.
Will the sand colour fade?
All outdoor fabric fades with UV exposure over time. Lighter colours generally show fading less than dark ones.
Do you ship Australia wide?
Yes, to every state and territory including regional and remote addresses.
Fast Australian Shipping
We ship from Australia to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Darwin, plus regional and remote addresses. Orders placed on a business day are picked and dispatched promptly, with tracking emailed to you as soon as the parcel leaves us.
Fixings, ropes and turnbuckles are not included. This is a shade fabric and is not waterproof. Installation is the buyer's responsibility - fixing points must be structurally sound and rated for the load, and we recommend a qualified installer for wall or roof anchors. Take the sail down in high wind, storms or hail. The manufacturer's reference to Australian standards for playgrounds, pools and patios does not name a specific standard and we make no claim of conformity to any standard on that basis.
