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Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 2
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 3
You start by reading this consumer guide. You’ll discover how to avoid 6 industry rip-offs,
5 mistakes to avoid when choosing a provider, and 6 steps to a stylish comfortable outdoor
area that can be a real asset to you.
We wrote this guide to help you better understand how to choose a shade sail provider.
Now with this information, you can make an informed and intelligent decision. If you have
any questions about shade sails you’re invited to call us on 1300 789 700. We’ve dedicated
our business to educating consumers and raising standards in the industry.
We’ll be happy to help in any way.
Thanks!
Tom Westcott, Alfresco Shade.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 4
2. Cowboy operators. Shady low life’s who take 50% deposits and then disappear. Sounds
unbelievable but this happens several times a year in Sydney. Be wary placing a deposit with any
business without a website and solid follow up contact details. Even better, require testimonials before
giving away your hard-earned dollars.
3. Skimping on materials. Cutting corners and failing to use the correct materials. For example, using
cheap turnbuckles which can work loose over time, and not stainless steel chain secured with a
quality stainless steel shackle. Another classic example - using cheap sewing thread on shade sails
which degrades in few years, instead of quality PTFE long life thread. Small touches can make a big
difference with the final look and performance of the sail.
4. Dodgy foundations. This can be tempting for unscrupulous operators when the going gets tough.
Typical examples? Failing to dig to the required depth when digging through rock and shale -“ the
customer will never know”. A professional keeps on jackhammering and drilling, and doesn’t pretend
“it’s deep enough”.
Other examples, failing to use enough steel reinforcement bar in the concrete or failing to pour the
correct volume of concrete to save on install costs. These shortcuts are totally unacceptable and are a
blight on the industry. Foundation failure can cause the structure to collapse. Imagine if this happened
at a busy playground or car park.
5. Rushing the installation to save labour costs and get to the next job. This is a big no - no. Failure
to carefully work through the detailing and tensioning issues will have a huge impact on the final
appearance of the sail.
6. Deceptive warranties. Offering a 10-year warranty, but the small print reveals this relates only to
the cost of fabric replacement – and not the labour, transport, fittings, and fabrication costs. Fabric
replacement is usually only about 20% of the total job value.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 5
2. No formal qualifications or official industry training. Training and standards really come down to the
individual businesses and their own internal systems. This is fine for an established reputable operator
with decades of experience. Not so good for the small and medium scale companies who “don’t know
what they don’t know”.
3. We have tough weather conditions for fabric to cope with here in Australia. Not every fabric can
handle the searing heat and high water loads. Only materials proven in our extreme conditions should
be used to avoid headaches and disappointment further down the line.
4. The quality of materials differs enormously across different operators. Make sure you are
comparing apples with apples. A quote using cheap Chinese fabric compared to another with
high spec European fabric and fittings will be different. The “cheaper” fabric may turn out far more
expensive in the long run – with a shorter working life and lots of stress and headaches with poor
performance compared to European fabric.
5. Fabric structures are surprisingly complex and difficult to build. It takes years of observation and
trial and error to master fundamentals – live loading, fabric knowledge, wind forces (uplift and down
forces), and material limitations. Tolerance levels between success and failure are small, and there are
many ways to get it wrong. Notice all the three-dimensional curves in a sail? These must be designed,
cut, and joined and built accurately into the sail. Get it wrong, and when the sail is pulled tight flat
spots or big wrinkles will appear. Not good! Shoddy design can also create excessive vibration
causing fatigue and early failure in a sail.
6. Many sails cast shade in the wrong place, or fail to provide proper rain cover! Shocking but
true. How can this happen? It comes back to an understanding of design, final sail shape, and correct
orientation the sun as moves throughout the day. Poles must be placed in the correct position in
relation to the sun, and the sail must be built in the right shape to cast shade in the correct place as
the sun moves across the sky.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 6
•• Myth 2: Shade sails and waterproof sails will get vandalised – either cut or burnt. While this is
technically possibly, it very rarely actually happens. We have seen only two instances in 17 years.
Think about it. A vandal would need to approach the sail with a knife, climb a slippery steel pole (usually
3.5m plus), clamber onto the sail, and intentionally cut or burn it. As you can imagine, this takes real
dedication and determination. Both in short supply for the average vandal. The real vandal threat can
be alleviated by adding climbing deterrents (spikes) onto the steel poles, using fireproof fabrics, and
carefully designing the high and low points of the sail to avoid obvious spots to clamber onto the sail.
•• Myth 3: They all last about the same time. Not true! The quality of materials, skill with sail design, and
installation quality make a huge difference with the working life of the sail. With sensible maintenance,
a sail should last for 10+ years. We have sails looking smart after 15+ years of work. Virtually every sail
looks good on install day. Its 3 or 4 years down the track that really counts. This is when the quality of
the materials will show through. Poor quality PVC waterproof sails can start to delaminate and leak or
pool water. Shade fabric can sag and the stitching can begin to fail.
•• Myth 4: Better off to go to a big box retailer. Another classic! A big box retailer uses cheap fabric,
cheap fittings, and very simple design. To make matters worse, these are usually installed by the
property owner with no specialist equipment or training. You see the unfortunate result with sagging
drooping sails in suburban streets all over the city.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 7
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 8
2. Poorly installed foundations fail and steelwork can collapse under wind load. We are often called
out to fix foundation problems for people let down by dodgy operators. What causes the foundations
to fail? Usually, a combination of things, like lack of steel reinforcing in the concrete, skimping on
concrete, and poor understanding of the foundation basics. Ultimately it all comes back to poor
workmanship.
3. Rough installers can easily damage your property. For example roof leaks caused by faulty
installation of roof penetrations (mounting points), and paving damage caused by construction
machinery. A great installation job involves a lot of care thought and skill. If any of these are missing
your job starts to suffer.
4. Does not function as expected! Failure to provide the correct rain or shade cover. Water may fall in
the wrong place (low point in the wrong location), or the shading may be cast in the wrong location.
5. Ugly and embarrassing final product. Unsightly galvanised steel turnbuckles, or dangling pieces of
chain. Flat and underwhelming sail design, or design that clashes with your property or company look.
You want customers to notice you for the right reasons!
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 9
6. Failing to fit your property. You really need a custom built system to suit your situation. Some
installers claim to provide custom built solutions but are constantly reproducing one design (flat
triangle panel) and building to module sizes vs building to the available space for correct shading/
waterproofing. Not good if you miss out on coverage of 20% of your available space due to module
size limitations.
7. Expensive installation overruns. Extra installation time can cause big problems for business
customers. Installers working hard on site can scare off potential customers, who would rather go
somewhere else while the work is going on. Lost business costs can be substantial and need to be
avoided by accurate project management and scheduling.
8. No ongoing service or product support. Problems with the sail after a year or two and the installer
is nowhere to be found. You want a business to stand by their product and be there assist if something
comes up and you need help.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 10
2. Choosing a provider with a lack of scale and proven commercial experience. This includes
Workcover compliance, the development of safe and efficient installation systems, and investment in
hi-tech equipment such as computerised plotter cutters and powerful radio frequency radio welders.
You need a company with the skills and resources to tackle your job on time and within the budget.
3. Using a provider who did not make the sail, or build the steelwork. This is risky. If something
goes wrong it’s easy for the installer to “pass the buck” to the business who built the sail or the
steelwork, and avoid sorting the problem out. The installer doesn’t actually have much control over
how an outsourced sail or steelwork is built, or the ability to keep an eye on the materials used and
quality of the workmanship. Not good if they have been cutting corners or failing to take care of the
intricate details!
A company who takes care of everything – design, fabric, steelwork, manufacturing, install and
support can do a much better job with overall quality control and provide a better price due to
production efficiencies and the elimination of “middle men”
4. Failing to compare apples with apples. As you are beginning to see, not all sails are created equal.
You want a beautiful sail that makes your property a joy to use. Remember you have to look at it every
day! As we mentioned earlier, be careful with how you compare quotes. A quote using cheap Chinese
fabric compared to another with high spec European fabric and fittings will be different.
5. No testimonies, and no website. This is a red flag! If you only have their word and a cell phone
contact you could be setting yourself up for trouble. Look for at least a website and be wary on anyone
who can’t provide written evidence of happy customers.
Remember!
The cheapest option often turns out to be the most expensive in the long run, when replacement costs and
shorter working life are taken into account. Not to mention all the stress included.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 11
2. The sail will look beautiful. Your outdoor area will be a source of pride and a real asset.
A tranquil and relaxing space to enjoy all year round.
3. Quality finishing touches. Like so many things real beauty lies in the details. Smart features like powder
coated poles in colours to suit your taste, robust corner detailing on the sail for added strength, & clever
features like a hidden stainless steel cable around the edge of the sail for tensioning and ongoing adjustments.
4. You will notice the difference in the difference in design quality and expertise. Done well, a sail system
is like a dynamic 3D sculpture - a piece of modern design to enjoy right there in your outdoor area.
Sails designed with 3D software and cut with accurate computerised equipment have a smooth and a
distinctive streamlined appearance.
5. The sail will actually work properly! It won’t, sag, droop, flap about or wear out quickly.
The sail will provide shade or rain protection to the right area!
6. Quality fittings that will not corrode or work loose. Beautiful marine grade stainless steel chain and
fittings will never rust or wear out, unlike cheaper steel turnbuckles which often corrode or lose tension.
7. Strong deep foundations, with lots of steel reinforcement in the concrete and strong foundation poles.
You can be sure the poles will be there for the long run.
8. Less vibration. Because the sail has been carefully designed and installed, it will not vibrate excessively
under wind load. This gives you two benefits. It will not work loose and it will not fatigue prematurely.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 12
Also…
For Waterproof Sails…
•• Quality European fabric will look great and retain its colour and strength over time. It will not
delaminate or fade rapidly like cheaper fabrics.
•• The sail will stay tight and waterproof. Differences in materials and build quality become obvious
after a few years of use. Quality waterproof sails are joined together using a powerful radio frequency
welder to form a rock solid bond – waterproof for the long term.
•• Correct water runoff. The location of the steel poles and high vs low points of the sail are in the right
place to ensure that water flows off the sail and onto to the most sensible part of your property.
•• Quality fabrics will not rapidly fade or stretch. The investment in quality saves you headaches later
down the line. Your sail will retain its shape, and keep your outdoor area sun safe.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 13
2. Able to provide product back up and servicing. Don’t be left stranded if you need help with
servicing or product support in the future.
3. Uses fabrics proven to work in Australian conditions. You don’t want to risk it with cheaper second
tier materials. High spec European materials are more expensive, but give a far better finish and
much better long term performance.
4. Able to custom build a beautiful sail system for your situation with real care and craftsmanship. Also
able to get your job completed on time, with the scale and resources to hit deadlines even when
challenges arise on site, as they often do!
5. At least 10 years’ commercial experience. It takes many years to master design decisions and
truly understand the technical properties of fabric materials and know-how with fabrication and
construction. You don’t want someone learning the hard way on your job. Almost every project
presents challenges that require skilled problem-solving.
7. Comprehensive warranty. Look for an iron clad warranty package over the entire system, not just
the fabric skin. Many warranty packages are misleading, and only cover replacement of the fabric
and not the labour and repair costs. Don’t be caught out with nasty surprises.
8. Look for a proven track record on a range of larger scale projects, and testimonies from happy
customers.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 14
2. Reduce the chance of skin cancer (melanoma). As you know Australia has the worst incidence
of melanoma in the world. One person dies from melanoma every 6 hours in Australia. Rates doubled
between 1986 – 2006 and are still on the rise (www.sunsmart.com.au). The good news, skin cancer is
preventable and safe overhead cover can make a big difference.
3. Take good care of your property users. You care about your people and want to make sure
everyone leaves your property without injury or discomfort. A shade sail can reduce the likelihood of
sunburn and heat fatigue, and gives you peace of mind that all reasonable steps have been taken to
provide protection.
4. Improve the usability of your property. Extend the usable space available at your restaurant, or
providing a great outdoor area for staff to socialise at your business park. Shade sails are a great tool
for unlocking the hidden value in your property.
5. Protect valuable equipment and furniture. Quality outdoor equipment is worth a fortune and will
wear out quickly without protection from the sun. Why invest in quality gear only to let it wear out in a
few years with UV damage? A shade sail can usually double the working of outdoor equipment and
provide a great return on your investment.
6. Improve your image and boost your street appeal. Shade sails are a stylish and valuable addition to
your property. Get noticed for the right reasons!
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 15
2. Within 48 hours you will receive a confirmed “no surprises or extra hidden charges” quote.
This will include all the details you need to know about materials and design recommendations.
3. Once you have confirmed the order and paid a 50% deposit, you will be assigned to a customer
manager who will keep in touch during every stage of the build process.
4. Your project then drops into our production system to be custom built. Expect a 3 – 4 week build
time depending on the scale of your job. This is where design and fabrication work takes place in our
factory and fittings and finishing details are coordinated.
5. Install visit one. Usually two weeks after placing the order. The install team will dig the foundations and
place your foundation poles. This is usually completed within one day for most commercial jobs. The
site is secured and left safe in preparation for the final install visit.
6. Install visit two: the sail system is installed and tested. This includes tensioning and edge cable
adjustments. Your property is left clean and tidy, and you get to enjoy the first day of your transformed
outdoor area and the ongoing benefits of being an Alfresco Customer, including exclusive promotional
deals and the Alfresco referral rewards program.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 16
2. Meticulous design and craftsmanship. Sails are designed with 3D software, and then cut and
pattern matched using a computerised plotter cutter. Waterproof sails are joined together with a high-
frequency radio welder. Shade sails are joined using double stitched sewing. That’s why our sails look
clean and tight and perform well for years.
3. Custom built for the maximum use of your outdoor area. All steelwork is designed by an engineer –
built safe and tough. Engineering certification is available.
4. Built for long-term performance. We will only use quality fabrics, proven to work for 10+ years in our
tough Australian weather. You can’t afford to take chances with unproven materials.
5. Excellent service and product support - NSW wide. You won’t be left stranded! Help is just a phone
call away.
6. Proven track record. Over 15 years we have earnt a reputation for excellence on commercial projects
all over Sydney. Tap into decades of specialist design and construction knowledge across our team.
What works, and what to avoid.
7. Beautiful build quality. We continually invest in research and development work on our detailing
features. Clever touches like stainless steel perimeter cables on every sail to assist with re-tensioning,
the use of long life PVDF stitch thread on shade sails, heavy duty powder coating on our steelwork,
and heavy ground connections.
8. For a safe and relaxing outdoor space that’s a joy to use. Comfortable, stylish, and protected from UV
light. Our sails will not sag, pool water, or flap about in the wind!
9. Shading that actually works! We make sure that the correct area receives shade protection as the sun
moves throughout the day.
10. Ironclad 10-year warranty. A generous warranty package over the entire system – not just the fabric.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 17
Both structures are superb and totally meet the needs of our
students and have indeed enhanced our school environment.
The shade sails have been a great asset to our shopping centre,
and I would highly recommend Alfresco Shades to anyone looking to
use this Company.
Thank you for the chance to provide feedback to your current clients.
At Koala we have developed an easy relationship with Alfresco Shade.
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide 18
Shade Sail Consumer Awareness Guide – A Free Educational Resource by Alfresco Shade
www.alfrescoshade.com.au 74 Wellington Street, Riverstone, NSW 2765 sales@alfrescoshade.com.au 1300 798 700