Shade sails for windy areas

Can a shade sail handle the wind?

Yes. A properly designed and installed shade sail can withstand winds of up to 100 km/h. The key is knowing where the weak point is: not the sail, but the wall anchors or the posts and their foundations. That is why, in windy areas, the site assessment matters as much as the fabric itself. We explain it in detail in what wind speed a shade sail can withstand.

What makes a shade sail wind resistant

• Calculated anchors and foundations. Every wall, beam or post has to carry the load the sail transfers in gusts. We assess this on site before proposing a design.
• Fabric that lets air through. Breathable fabrics reduce the wind load compared with a closed canvas.
• Curved edges and proper tension. The catenary shape spreads the load and keeps the sail taut. A loose sail flaps; a well-tensioned one does not. See why shade sails have curved edges.
• Pitch. With anchor points at different heights, the sail not only resists better but also sheds rainwater.
• Stainless steel hardware. Turnbuckles, cables and shackles made for the outdoors and the sea air.

Windy terraces and rooftops

Rooftops, raised terraces and seafront homes are the most demanding cases. Before installing, we assess the orientation, the exposure to the prevailing wind and the structure available for anchoring. If there is nothing suitable, we propose posts with their own foundations. Read more in our guide to shade sails in windy areas.

Experience on the coast

We work from Palamós, on the Costa Brava. One of our projects is the installation of several shade sails at Port Marina Palamós, in the marina, creating new shaded areas in a location exposed to wind and sea air.

Looking after your sail in windy seasons

Even when a sail is built for strong winds, we recommend taking it down before storms and, where possible, over the winter. It is easy to reinstall in spring: see how to take down and reinstall your shade sail.