Your backyard beckons when the sun is out, but it’s tough to enjoy it during peak heat. If your patio, deck, or backyard doesn’t get much natural shade, there are plenty of ways to keep cool and make the most of the warm weather. A retractable awning will do the trick, and so will a cantilever umbrella. But one of the easiest—and most affordable— solutions is a shade sail.

A shade sail is exactly what it sounds like, except instead of attaching to a boat’s mast, it attaches to a roof or other permanent structure. Unlike other shade options, shade sails can essentially be set up anywhere that you need shade, not just your patio. The easy setup adds to its versatility, serving as great cover for in-ground pools, patio furniture, and even pergolas.

Shopping for one can feel overwhelming, as there are a ton on the market in assorted sizes and shapes—and unless you’re a shade sail expert, it can be difficult to decipher and decide which one best fits your needs.

What to Consider

There are a few basics to nail down before you shop, starting with finding the right size and shape.

What Size Shade Sail Should I Get?

The most important thing to determine is just how much space you want to cover. A good rule of thumb is to add at least 2 inches on all sides beyond the area that will be shaded. Keep in mind that the shade sail will expand and contract slightly (likely no more than a half-inch) depending on weather conditions. The majority of shade sails come in several sizes and colors, plus there are custom options available.

Shape

You have a choice of three: triangular, rectangular, and square. While they’re perfectly nice hanging solo, in some spaces —particularly narrow ones—using two or more can create an elegant, upscale look.

Triangular shade sails are useful for layering due to the different shade levels you can create overlapping the uneven portions and the aesthetic style that doing so, particularly with different colors, provides.