With summer approaching in a few, many of us will spend our foreseeable futures looking for any excuse to enjoy the great outdoors. And by the great outdoors, we mean our respective decks, porches and patios. And what does every deck, porch and patio need to ensure maximum enjoyment during these warmer months? Shade. More specifically, shade from a shade sail.

So, what is a shade sail, and why is it superior to a fancy patio umbrella or elegant awning?

A shade sail is aptly named, as it looks like a sail from a ship and comes in triangle, rectangle or square silhouettes. Shade sails provide ample shade, covering far more ground than a standard umbrella. Shade sails deliver similar coverage, but unlike awnings that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, sun sails are far more cost-effective. Bonus: Shade sails are easy to install and remove virtually anywhere in your garden or outdoor living space.

How to Choose the Best Shade Sail

LOCATION: Start your shade sail shopping voyage by determining your anchor location. For best results, you should attach your shade sail on a permanent structure like the exterior of your house or a reinforced fixture like an anchored post or column.

SIZE: From there, consider how much of the outdoor space you want to shield from the sun. Shade sails are available in endless sizes ranging from six to 26 feet and we recommend adding two to four inches beyond your desired shade coverage to ensure you get the perfect amount as the sail contracts based on weather.

SHAPE: Shade sails are available in three standard shapes: triangles, rectangles and squares. Each option delivers the same results, but one may be a better fit based on the scale of your space or your exterior style. You can choose a single square shade sail to cover more ground for your alfresco lounge or pair two triangle sails together for a chic, dimensional display over your outdoor dining table.

MATERIAL: Most shade sails are high-density polyethylene and feature stainless-steel hardware. This hard-working material is water, mold and mildew-resistant and blocks up to 95 percent of UV rays.