Updates to the Australian Standards for Shade Sail Fabric and what it means for you
Shade sails are a great way to protect yourself and your customers from the harsh UV rays of the Australian sun, but not all shade fabric is the same. Standards Australia, in it’s latest review, has made some changes to make it clearer and easier for you to understand exactly what kind of sun protection you’ll get out of your shade sail. Shade fabric is now ranked using the Ultraviolet Effectiveness (UVE) scale.
Why the Ultraviolet Effectiveness scale?
Unlike the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) and Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) protection ratings UVE takes into account the strength, weave and colour of the sail. This provides a more accurate rating of how much sun protection you’ll really get from the shade fabric
Some shade fabric could have a great UPF or UVR protection rating under test conditions but due to a range of variables including the design and installation of the shade structure, you might not get those same results. The Ultraviolet Effectiveness scale takes this all into account and ranks products into three categories: effective, very effective, and most effective sun protection.
How the new UVE ranking might affect your business
There are a range of state and local government guidelines and regulations designed to protect children by ensuring there is enough quality shade to protect from overexposure to UV radiation. These rules can apply to education and care providers, sports clubs and other community groups. The UVE protection rankings are important for understanding the kind of protection you may be required to provide as well as which shade sail fabrics can be covered by shade sail grants and funding programs.
The UVE scale makes comparing shade fabric and it’s protection factor easier. So you can find the best deal on the right kind of shade sail to keep your customers, clients and employees happy.
How Rainbow Shade Sails rank
Rainbow Shade has over 25 years of experience, developing its shade products to provide the ultimate in solar protection. The Z16 and eXtreme 32 ranges are high-performance shade fabrics that not only provide highly effective UV protection, they also reduce glare and heat so you’re comfortable and protected all year round. Rainbow Shade fabrics are also easy to clean and maintain and are screen-printable so you can brand your shade structure. Rainbow Shade fabrics are great for many commercial and industrial uses including car parks, outdoor dining and retail areas, factories and warehouses, sporting amenities and swimming pools.
The Rainbow Shade Z16 range is one of Australia’s most popular shade cloth fabrics, known for its durability and quality. More than 80% of the Z16 colour range has a UVE ranking of Most Effective or Very Effective so you have a range of colour options to help your shade sail blend in or make a statement.
Rainbow Shade eXtreme 32 is the heavy duty shade fabric range, ideal for extra large span industrial or commercial shade structures. It’s one of the heaviest shade cloths around, with superior strength and tear-resistance. It comes in a range of attractive and fashionable colours in a palette of neutrals, dark tones and primary colours. Of the 14 available colours, 13 are rated Most Effective or Very Effective by the UVE ranking.
How Commercial Shade Sails can help
At Commercial Shade Sails, we custom-make shade sails for your unique needs. Our artisan shade sailmaker has been designing and hand fabricating shade sails for the Australian market, and Australian weather, since 1988. Our combination of hard-wearing fabric, durable shapes, high-strength stainless steel fittings and perimeter cable means our shade sails are high-quality, resilient, stable and long-lasting. Our unrivalled 10-year warranty covers the shade fabric and stitching giving you the peace of mind of knowing you and your investment are protected.