Shade sails offer sun protection

Shade sails have become extremely popular throughout the Sunbelt states in the past 10 years. They are made of high-tech synthetic knits that wear better and block out more ultraviolet rays — up to 95 percent. Shade sails can be custom fabricated in different sizes, shapes and dimensions for areas other than homes, including schools, office buildings, parks, churches, swimming pools and parking lots. Among the many colors are rust, mahogany, sage, silver, red, ivory, yellow, khaki and blue. Shade sails are not waterproof. They are about 10 percent porous, which allows for hot air to rise and escape. When properly installed, sails should last many years.