Waterproof Rectangular Shade Sail | Stainless D-Rings | Tradewind

Waterproof shade in the colour and size that fits your space. The Tradewind is a rectangular shade sail in thick 420D polyester Oxford with a PU coating: waterproof, tested to over 2,000 mm, UV-resistant, and finished with stainless steel D-rings on double-layer corner webbing. Choose from 8 colours and 21 sizes, from a 2 x 2 m sail for a balcony to a 6 x 8 m sail for a large patio or pool area.

Why the Tradewind

• Sun and rain covered. The PU-coated fabric has been tested to over 2,000 mm of water column, so rain runs off instead of soaking through, as long as the sail is hung on a slope.
• Thick 420D Oxford. A denser, heavier fabric than the 210D used in many entry-level sails, with double-stitched hems and seams.
• Reinforced corners. Every corner is finished with double-layer webbing and a stainless steel D-ring, right where the load of a tensioned sail is concentrated.
• 8 colours. Charcoal and sand suit most homes, light grey and white keep things bright, and forest green, ocean blue, terracotta and sunflower bring colour to gardens, pools and play areas.

Choosing your size

Measure between your anchor points, not the area you want to shade, and allow at least 45 cm at every corner so the sail can be tensioned. For example, the 3 x 4 m sail needs anchor points about 3.9 x 4.9 m apart. Sizes are measured ring to ring and the edges are curved, so the shaded area is slightly smaller than the nominal size. The size guide in the photos lists all 21 sizes with their sail area and anchor spacing. For sails over 20 m², we recommend a professional installer: a large waterproof sail puts a lot of load on its anchor points.

Fixing hardware

Pad eyes, turnbuckles and snap hooks are sold separately. For a taut finish on walls or posts, add our Shade Sail Fixing Kit in 304 stainless steel: a pad eye, turnbuckle and snap hook for each of the 3 corners, plus a spare set. Where to fix it, how to tension it and how to care for it: see "Installation and Maintenance" below.

Good to know

• Waterproof needs a slope: set two corners higher than the other two, about 1 m of drop for every 4 m of sail. Hung flat, any sail will hold water. In very heavy rain, a little water can come through at the double-stitched seams.
• A waterproof sail doesn't let wind through like shade mesh, so it catches more of it. Unclip it when strong wind is forecast or when you're away for a few days.
• Darker colours cut more glare; lighter colours reflect more heat. Whatever the colour, hang it high so warm air can escape underneath.
• Let the sail dry completely before folding it away, to keep mould at bay.
• Once tensioned, final dimensions can vary slightly due to fabric stretch. Need to cover a corner? See the Jib triangle sail.

Before you order, choose solid anchor points: steel posts set in concrete, a solid brick or block wall, a roof bracket screwed into a rafter, or a mature, healthy tree. Never fix to fascia boards, gutters, roof sheeting, fences or light poles: a tensioned sail pulls hard, especially in wind.

Measure the distance between your anchor points, not the area you want to shade. Allow at least 45 cm between each sail corner and its anchor point, so there's room to tension the fabric.

Fix a pad eye at each anchor point (fixing hardware is sold separately). Connect the corners with turnbuckles or snap hooks, or use the included PE ropes on existing solid points. Hang the sail on a slope, with the corners at different heights (about 1 m of drop for every 4 m of sail), so rain runs off instead of pooling. Tighten evenly until the fabric is taut, with no flat area in the middle, and re-check the tension after the first week.

Shade sails are not windproof. Unclip the sail when strong or gusty wind, storms or heavy rain are forecast, and when you're away for a few days.

To clean it, hose it down and use a soft brush or damp cloth with mild soapy water. Avoid pressure washers and harsh chemicals, which can damage the coating. Let it dry completely before folding it. Over winter, take it down and store it clean, dry and under cover.