Getting Started
Frequently asked questions
1. What area do we service?
2. Why are we the best?
2) We use a 100% mono-filament (same as fishing line) woven fabric. It is 3-4 times heavier than the other available tensioned fabrics and due to it's round slick fiber this fabric stays much cleaner.
3) We offer commercial & residential design, fabrication and installation. Engineering is available if desired.
4) Owner operated, so what we agree to, is what you get. No misunderstandings or unpleasant surprises.
3. What are some important Sail guidelines?
Triangle - No side of a Triangle Sail is longer than 30 feet.
Shade Sails need to be installed on a substantial slope to prevent stretching and sagging during rain. Once stretched, Sail cloth will not shrink back and results in a floppy Sail with unsightly staining from sediment that remains after rain sieves through leaving a dirty egg shaped stain.
Please Note that the following information re Posts is a general guideline and there are several considerations that change the requirements.
4. How does the process work?
This method is free and provides a pplan and price for your evaluation. It allows you to determine whether you would like to continue based on the design and projected cost. There is no charge for the service. It's free and there are no strings attached. Upon your request, a site visit will be scheduled to verify site conditions and a new more detailed drawing will be produced and included with a Contract for approval.
However, if there is insufficient satellite info or you would rather start with an on-site visit this can be arranged at your convenience. During this visit I take measurements and take pictures with a camera drone from about 175 feet up. These will be used as the Photoshop background for the Sail plans I provide you. A $200 consultation fee is charged. This fee is forgiven when the project is approved.
5.What should I send in for a free analysis, design, and cost estimate?
Please send the following to Mike@PerfectShadeSails.com
1) Your name.
2) Contact information - Tel#s, email, etc.
3) The site address. (used to view project site via satellite)
4) Photos of the entire area, especially buildings & roof eaves (if considering building attachments).
5) Please tell me the area(s) that you want to shade.
6) Anything you think might help me understand what you want.
7) (optional) Plans, drawings, sketches that you can share.
I love lots of big pictures. Trouble is that the WEB doesn't.
Anything over 25MB will bounce back.
So send multiple emails of no more than 25MB at a time.
or use Dropbox, or Google, or direct me to a site, etc.
Thank you, Mike
6. Why do we use Monotec370® fabric and PTFE thread exclusevely?
Most all other tensioned fabrics contain 30% monofilament (or less) and the balance is tape fill. These lighter weaker fabrics do not last as long, but more importantly, they stretch so much that they are only compatible with "stretchy" polyester threads.
10 times longer than the 7 year service life of polyester threads.
7. Why do our Shade Sails stay cleaner?
An occasional hosing down will help keep your sails clean in dusty dry conditions.
8. Are Quads better than Triangle Sails?
Additionally, no matter how you raise or lower any corner of a Tri, it will always remain a flat sheet and relatively unstable. A Quad Sail however may be twisted to achieve structural stability.
9. Why are the sides of Shade Sails curved?
(example - 2' of deflection on a 20' long edge).
10. Can a Shade Sail float over an area with use of a cable?
Multiple Sails may NOT be attached to a single cable as this will also create unstable conditions.
11. Is the shade and UV blocking the same with all colors?
See the Monotec370® Fabric Details in the "GENERAL INFORMATION" tab for specifications.
12. How much wind can a Shade Sail take?
13. Can I attach a Shade Sail to my house?
Attachments must be to the frame or structure of the house, not to siding, fascia, or the roof.
14. Are Shade Sails waterproof?
16. Will someone from PerfectShadeSails.com install my ready made sails?
Ready made Shade Sails are designed for the "do it your-selfer" or the homeowner with a trusted handyman. They are smaller and are fabricated to different standards.
With Ready Made Sails the anchor points must be installed based on the predetermined size of the Sails.
Very often where the "Ready Made Sail" requires anchoring is not suitable and lack of suitable anchor points often makes it difficult or impossible to do a professional installation of "Ready Made Sails".
15. What are the pros & cons re "wire edge" and "web edge" style Sails?
I prefer the "wire edge" Sails.
Although it is harder to install a "wire edge" Sail (vs "web edge"), I prefer the "wire edge" Sails as there is much more adjust-ability allowing for a PERFECT installation.
17. Why are custom Shade Sails expensive?
Our Sails are commercial quality and feature Monotec370® fabric, Solarfix® thread, more reinforcements, and marine grade stainless steel hardware.