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Our higher quality, knitted outdoor shade sail fabric is UV stabilized to resist fading as a pergola patio cover, lanai cover, shade sail, or playground shading and sun screen shade panels will never mold or mildew. The same shade canopy material is used for paintball field netting or windscreen. Cheaper, non-knitted, woven shadecloth is used in agricultural applications where longevity, appearance, and sag resistance are not as highly valued. We sell only the finest desert tested, knitted shade fabric with strong, durable lockstitching that resists tearing, fraying, stretching, and sagging. Knitted sun screen material does not ravel when cut, like cheaper woven shadecloth. Shade netting is perfect for windscreen, shade tarp, sun screen, pergola patio cover, playground shading, shade sail, or paintball netting for paintball field fencing.
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Custom size knitted shade panels made to order!
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click on any picture here for a short-cut to that particular item or
simply keep scrolling down to view all of our fine sun screen products!
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Colored knitted shade netting sold by the foot
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click on any picture here for a short-cut to that particular item or
simply keep scrolling down to view all of our fine sun screen products!
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Plastic locking clips and wood fasteners for netting
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Free air conditioning!
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Shade canopies, pergola or lanai covers not only provide sun screening to block excess solar heat gain, they create very favorable micro-climates alongside structures. The effect is under-rated ... outside ambient climate/temperature can be dropped more than fifteen degrees with effective shading and ventilation. The secret is shade netting allows heated, rising air to pass through its open knit. Even at the highest density, shade fabric does not trap heat like a rainproof tarp, metal roof, or plastic pergola patio cover.
Cut that heat with a lanai cover or shade netting patio cover and keep heat out of the house at the same time with knitted shade fabric sun protection shade cover material! Please note that these are higher quality, knitted shade fabrics and not some cheap woven, agricultural (greenhouse) grade shadecloth. Woven shadecloth just doesn't stand up to the weather and abuse like our fully lockstitched, knitted sun screen material. A knitted shade panel does not ravel, unlike cheaper woven shadecloth which can unravel like a screen door when cut or torn. Additionally, knitted shade fabric has a very high tensile strength, so you can stretch it very tight without affecting its appearance. And tight shade tarps are key to protecting the material in high wind situations. Our shade canopy plastic locking clips and galvanized, barbed, wood fasteners (see below) are specifically designed to further spread the strain over a larger surface area.
Knitted shade materials are lockstitched fabric, so hemming the ends is not a functional necessity - merely for fashion.
Normally the material is cut to within six inches of frame size and then folded over until correct.
The folded 'mock hem' makes for a very solid anchor point.
Nails used with fender washers are common (screws can snag and pull).
Atop a wood frame trellis, the folded hem is often sandwiched under a 1by2 batten board strip.
Silicone caulk is an excellent adhesive for unique designs, curves and pipe frames.
If you are planning roll-up shades, keep in mind that any folded hem would impede the fabric, causing it to bunch up along the two ends as it rolls up.
It is best to leave the two sides alone (raw fabric) to roll properly.
We do not provide any custom hemming or grommeting with these premium colored materials - they are only sold by the foot (6 foot width only).
Very 'fabric-like', it is easily cut with yardstick and razor knife.
The two sides of 6 foot material are bound, knitted back upon itself for a solid edge (factory hem).
The ends are normally just folded over a couple of times for a mock hem.
You can permanently reinforce by folding a solid two inch wide webbing ("tape") over a cut or folded edge, hem and then sew.
Heavy duty needles are not needed, but using a durable UV and rot resistant polypropylene is (readily available at local fabric shops).
Treatment to 'resist UV' is advertised by many threads, but generally speaking, cotton rots and nylon gets brittle.
Larger custom size shade panels with hem and grommet are available, just not with the saddle tan, green, smoke blue or jade colored fabrics.
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All three of these light colors blend well with their surroundings and resist fading exceptionally well.
From a distance, these three pastels appear even softer, while providing more privacy.
Lighter colored fabrics visually disrupt your ability to distinguish objects on the other side better than black.
Black tends to be ignored by the eye, like a screen door, allowing you to focus better on what is on the other side.
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A free project guide with plans for patio shades, patio and playground covers, and a basic greenhouse shade structure is included with every premium grade shadecloth order. The following instructions are for making a set of simple roll-up shades: 
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Shown below, is front and back of our premium grade shade cloth in the five color options: saddle tan, spring green, smoke blue, black and jade. All five materials have the same shading factor of approximately 75% and UV stabilized to resist fading. These colored sun screens have what it takes to stand up to the weather outside - shading the sun without traping heat underneath (like a solid tarp or roof would do). Available in six foot wide rolls only, our premium grade knitted shade cloth is cut to order for $2.50 dollars per lineal foot with FREE shipping and handling. You may order any number of lineal feet you wish (one lineal foot is 6 foot wide material by one foot long). We typically ship out the next business day via UPS Ground. All of our knitted shade fabrics come with a closed, factory hem along the two edges - only the ends are cut as it comes off the roll. Cut ends of knitted, lockstitched material will not unravel, but they are typically folded over for better appearance.
Saddle Tan . . . . . . . Green . . . . . . . Smoke Blue . . . . . . . Black . . . . . . . Jade
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Above and below is front and back of our premium grade material (all ~75% shade factor) scanned on a white background. Please note the white band more pronounced running vertically through one side of the fabric. In effect, this gives you a choice of show sides: mostly solid or lightly striped. Larger custom size shade panels with hem and grommet are available, just not with the saddle tan, green, smoke blue or jade colored fabrics. These colored materials are only sold "off-the-bolt", by the foot - we always cut long and ship a few extra inches, just to be sure. Please note that our premium grade material stretches VERY little, if any, so no need to plan for that. |
Saddle Tan . . . . . . . Green . . . . . . . Smoke Blue . . . . . . . Black . . . . . . . Jade
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Colored knitted shade netting sold by the foot
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Need more than 100 feet? HUGE savings on 150 foot long rolls of shadecloth!
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Full 150 foot long rolls of colored shade netting $250
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click here for discounted remnants, returns, and wrinkled roll ends
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Galvanized wood fasteners ($14 per 60 count)
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Purchase either type of shadecloth fastener here ...
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Plastic locking clips ($14 per 36 count)
The 30% shade factor knitted awning pictured below bordered on all four sides with our plastic locking clips and 3/16 inch diameter galvanized aircraft cable (we do not sell cable or turnbuckles). The shade canopy has been folded over the cable and secured with our plastic locking clips. One shade netting clip every foot is recommended to reduce strain and spread stress out evenly. Turnbuckles, which we do not sell, put the perimeter cable under extreme tension for a tight look and allow it to be easily removed seasonally. |
click here for discounted remnants, returns, and wrinkled roll ends
Custom size black 30% to 90%, green 60% and white 50% knitted shade panels with FREE shipping on all orders
We custom cut, tape, hem and grommet sun screen awnings to your desired size and specific shade factor needs for a great lanai cover or shade canopy. Our UV and heat resistant, polyethylene, BLACK 30% to 90% knitted shade cloth (plus 60% green and 50% white) will cut the heat on your patio, keep leaves out of your Koi pond, slash your air conditioning bills, and also makes an excellent paintball netting for paintball field fencing. This extremely durable shade tarp material will not fray when cut or torn, like cheaper woven shade screens and paintball fencing. All standard stock widths have a closed, factory hem along the two edges - only the ends are cut as it comes off the roll. Black (plus 60% green) knitted comes in 6, 8, 10, 12, 20, 26, & 32 foot standard stock widths. White 50% knitted is only available in 12 foot and 26 foot widths, but we can cut down to the size you need. Black knitted shade cloth is available in six sun shade factors: 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 & 90% (plus 60% green and 50% white). The higher the shade factor, the denser the knit and the smaller the holes (90% has 1.5mm holes). ALL shade factors will allow water to pass through unless they are installed on an extremely steep pitch (45 degrees, plus). Even then, only a small percentage of the rain will roll off the edge. The open knit is what makes shade cloth work - it allows heat to pass up through, not trapping it like a solid tarp or roof. In warmer climates, you would be wise to install up to twenty foot wide shade canopies to create a cooler microclimate along the south side of your home - even on the roof! Click here for the engineering specifications of our knitted shade material. Click here for the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on our knitted shade.
- automatic custom quotes and shade panel ordering with the form below -
Up close, you can see through any density/color of shade cloth, but as you move farther away (20 plus feet) and at an angle, it becomes much more difficult to see objects on the other side clearly. The image above is looking out through our 70% black knit (above the stunt dog). Mind you, the intense backlighting with sunny day, super white snow foreground exaggerates the clarity, but this 70% black knit is a good compromise between preserving view from inside and creating a sense of privacy from outside. Looking in from across the yard about 20 feet away, the view is very nearly opaque, as shown below. Refraction off glass is a good part of the effect, but the key is lack of back lighting. At night with a light behind you (back lit), the shade material would naturally provide much less privacy. Direct natural light can overpower, washing interior rooms with glare on a sunny winter day. Knitted shade material drapes, sheer or curtain are an easy way to control the indoor environment passively. The shade netting catches a large percentage of direct solar gain, dissipating the heat, and stratifying the energy to best radiant benefit (always hottest around material).
Our built-tough commercial grade knitted shadecloth carries a one year manufacturer's replacement warranty against material defects. You should expect at least 3 years of service (permanent installation in harsh desert climate) - many more years when only installed seasonally or in a more temperate climate. Keeping the panel tight is the key - wind damage from rubbing against the structure is more relevant than sun damage. Wind can whip a loose shade canopy or paintball netting, causing damage - that's why we install grommets on one foot centers. Shade panels are typically laced to the structure: tie rope or galvanized cable to one corner of the structure, run it through a grommet, around the trellis or pipe frame, back through the next grommet, and back around the frame ... all the way to the corner, where you pull it tight and tie it off. Your local hardware store will stock ± 3/16 inch galvanized cable, eyelet bolts, cable clamps and turnbuckles to tension it. If you use rope, we suggest army surplus parachute cord, polypropylene or similar UV resistant product. We do not sell any rope, cable, or turnbuckles since these supplies are common to any local hardware store.
- automatic custom quotes and shade panel ordering with the form below -
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Panel options: black taped, reinforced sewn hem
Commercial discounts apply to material on larger panels:
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click here for discounted remnants, returns, and wrinkled roll ends
The 6, 8, 10 and 12 foot widths are typically knitted on single looms for one-piece appearance, but all widths may be created on side by side looms that knit two panels together (20, 26 and 32 foot are always twin loomed). This is not a weak hemmed (sewn) seam, but rather a strong, factory knitted splice. We can not confirm which widths of the various shade material densities may be twin loomed at any given moment. So if you object to the visual distraction of a knitted splice down middle of shade panel, please do not order - returns are not permitted. Please note that we do not offer to sew panels together to get larger widths, thus the quoting and ordering form is limited to 32 foot wide. When covering areas wider than 32 foot, we most highly recommend ordering two separate panels and lacing them to the structure individually for greater strength and ease of installation. Our production department always does their best to create panels within an inch of your stated size specifications, but due to the nature of working with knitted materials, exact measurements can not and will not be guaranteed. Should the error be in excess of four inches, we may elect (at our option) to refund, remake, or repair the panel for no charge, but no other warranty is expressed or implied with regards to custom shade panel production accuracy. Please refer to our terms of service agreement for specifics and note that commercial panels are folded accordion style to fit into a box, so some wrinkles are typical, but they will come out when the shade tarp is stretched taut in the hot sun. Shade material and custom panels are non-returnable for refund.
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A MYTH ABOUT SHADE FACTOR / DENSITY / SUN BLOCKAGE Shade factor is a rating of knit density - the percentage of sun blockage, as measured with a spectrometer. A 50% shade factor White blocks 50% of direct sunlight - a 60% Green blocks 60% sunlight - a 70% Black density blocks 70%. There is a myth circulating that a lower percentage white shade material would have the same cooling effect as a higher density green or black. This is absolutely false. Lighter colors relect more ambient light underneath (make a patio brighter) - quite the opposite effect. Darker colors absorb rather than reflect light/heat, but the material is much too light weight to RETAIN excess heat/energy. At less than 1/2 ounce per square foot, there is not enough thermal mass to store a large amount of radiant heat/energy. Heat is quickly dissipated by cooler air moving up, through the open netting - even 90% density has 1.5mm holes. A solid roof or canvas tarp would function differently, but with an open netting like shade material, lighter colors of less density are not functionally any "cooler" than a darker color with a higher shade factor rating. |
Pictured below are the seven black knitted, lockstitched shade nettings in 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90% shade factors (sun block density). We do our best to represent the knit density properly, but actual size of openings, style, and appearance of knit is always subject to change without notice. In practice, even the 90% is relatively open for air movement, with 1.5mm holes throughout its dense fabric-like knit. Hot climate residential and commercial patios always install 80% or 90% black knit to drop the temperature (and light) underneath as much as possible. You still get plenty of light in from the sides, so it is not dark - plenty of ambient light comes in from the sides (much like windows). The only reason to install 70% or lower knit is to ensure ample heat gain in the curb spring and fall months, where blocking 80% might make the patio a little too cool. It is common to have two shade panels - one for peak summer months and one for when things cool down a bit. Pragmatically, black is the preferred color for a patio. Excess ambient light bouncing off a white panel adds heat gain and makes it much more of an active area. Patios are a place of relaxation, where the black color has the advantage of absorbing ambient light (not reflecting it), dilating your pupils, and generally creating a much calmer atmosphere. Heated air readily passes through any knit density, so the question of black absorbing more heat and radiating it back onto you is largely irrelevant to your comfort level underneath. Below 70% shade factor, the knit is much more open, more of a "netting". Above 70%, the material is dense enough to be considered a fabric/cloth (90% has holes 1.5mm in diameter). All woven or knitted shade fabrics will allow water to pass through, but as you progress up to 90% density, some rain will run off the edge when installed on a steep slope. The white 50, green 60 and black 70 percent shade factors are very nearly the same knit pattern. The darker black absorbs more light, allowing only 30 percent to pass through. Green 60% knit is a compromise between blocking heat gain while still allowing 40% sunlight to pass through for plant growth. White 50% knit is an excellent agricultural product, reflecting maximum ambient light underneath, while allowing only 50% of direct sunlight to pass through from above. Click here for the engineering specifications of our knitted shade material. Click here for the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on our knitted shade.
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Our 3 three color choices in larger panels and/or with custom hem and grommet: Black 30% to 90% sun blockage, a 50% only White and a 60% only Green.
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Generally, the following shade factors are used (see sample swatches above)
Let us craft you a custom size black (30% to 90%), green 60% or white 50% knitted pergola shade panel or paintball netting with black taped, reinforced edges and large (1/2 inch diameter hole) brass grommets every foot! If you need a unique width, we'll be happy to cut a panel down to your specifications. Shade material is black knitted high density polyethylene plastic (HDPE) specially treated for durability and UV resistance. Please note that fire resistant shade materials are not available. The 80% and 90% materials stretch VERY little, so there is no need to plan for that. The size shade panel you request, is the FINISH size - we cut down from a larger panel, as per your finish dimension ordered. The ONLY time to expect a variance is when you order standard widths of 6, 8, 10, 12, 20, 26 and 32 feet wide - then the finish width (after reinforcing tape and hem) is 2-3 inches less, i.e.: 5' 9-10", 7' 9-10", 9' 9-10", 11' 9-10", 19' 9-10", etc. Price varies with shade factor (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90%) and your desire for reinforced hem (black tape only) and grommet.
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Automatic quoting and ordering form
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Rectangles are quoted above - odd shaped panels are custom orders
As shown below, we can create just about any odd shaped sun screen tarp, lanai, trellis or pergola patio cover. We can also create double layer panels for very heavy duty action and/or desire for a higher shade factor white or green knit panel. Folded over once, a double layer white or green panel would have an effective shade factor of 85 to 90%. We only stock 12 and 26 foot widths in the white 50%, so there are limitations (all widths in green). Fax 720-293-1705 or email natural@colorado.net with an 8-1/2" by 11" boldly labeled drawing with feet and inches (i.e.: 8' 4" not 100 inches) of each side. Round off to the nearest inch - accuracy of less than an inch is not possible with knitted materials. Be sure to make the lines and numbers VERY bold and specify the shade factor desired along with need for hem and grommet (grommets are standard every foot for strength and longevity). Please note that we do not accept credit card payment for odd-shaped sun screen covers. Payment via cashier's check or money order is required for odd shaped shade panels (anything other than a rectangle). We will do our very best to be as accurate as possible, but no returns are accepted for odd shaped tarps. As per the project example below, most commercial installers specify their panels up to a foot smaller than the trellis overall. The "trampoline" effect (lacing around the perimeter) allows you to install very taut and keep it that way, with room to adjust as need be. Smaller panels also provide smoother transition from covered trellis to uncovered with shadows and borders that are often overlooked.
Wind can whip a loose lanai cover or shade canopy, causing damage. That's why we install grommets on one foot centers with double grommeted corners standard at no extra charge. The more evenly stretched, the stronger the panel and structure it is attached to. Shade panels are typically laced to a frame: tie rope or galvanized cable to one corner, run it through a grommet, around the trellis or pipe frame, back through the next grommet, and back around the structure ... all the way to the corner, where you pull it tight and secure (often with a turnbuckle to tighten as need be). We do not sell the pipe, rope, or cable, as these items are commonly available at any building supply center. The installation below is a classic example of lacing a shade canopy onto a metal pipe framework.
Please note that we do not sell shade structures, just shade panels
rather than retail flimsy shade structure kits (and they are all flimsy)
we suggest hiring a local plumber or welder to construct a galvanized frame
- ten foot is a common pipe length for basing the structure grid upon -
Larger shade panels are typically installed over trellis frames, utilizing multiple "bays" to lend even more support to the shade netting when spanning greater widths and lengths. The standard specification is for a series of ten, twelve, or twenty foot wide panels versus a single large one. Weight of the material is not an engineering issue (less than 1/2 ounce per square foot), but sail effect can be great in a heavy wind. The material will handle the wind fine ... the structure needs to be solid and secure, though. The additional lacing offered by a series of smaller width panels creates a much stronger structure and keeps the panels from lofting (sailing) in the wind. Depending upon bay/stall size (span of pipe), 1-1/2" to 2" diameter schedule 40 galvanized pipe should be ample. Any local plumbing supply store will have everything you need - and be able to thread the straight pipe sections for you.
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Once the structure is in place, lace the panels to it with a good quality polypropylene rope (inherent UV resistance) or parachute cord (any Army surplus store) for a tight fit.
Avoid bungee cords, cotton, and nylon as they degrade in the sun and weather much faster.
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angle iron bracing is often used to construct engineered commercial shade trellis structures
this is 20 foot wide 60% Green knit - a second structure attaches for a 40 foot overall bay depth
80% or 90% black knit is always recommended to drop heat, but this client desired better lighting
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Free air conditioning!
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Pictured above, courtesy of a client in Canon City, is one of our 90 percent black knit panels over a wood frame pergola. Shade canopies, pergola or lanai covers not only provide sun screening to block excess solar heat gain, they create very favorable micro-climates next to structure. The effect is under-rated ... outside ambient climate/temperature can be dropped more than fifteen degrees with effective shading and ventilation. The secret is shade netting allows heated, rising air to pass through its open knit. Even at the highest density, shade fabric does not trap heat like a rainproof tarp, metal roof, or plastic pergola patio cover.
- automatic custom quotes and shade panel ordering with the form above -
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A MYTH ABOUT SHADE FACTOR / DENSITY / SUN BLOCKAGE Shade factor is a rating of knit density - the percentage of sun blockage, as measured with a spectrometer. A 50% shade factor White blocks 50% of direct sunlight - a 60% Green blocks 60% sunlight - a 70% Black density blocks 70%. There is a myth circulating that a lower percentage white shade material would have the same cooling effect as a higher density green or black. This is absolutely false. Lighter colors relect more ambient light underneath (make a patio brighter) - quite the opposite effect. Darker colors absorb rather than reflect light/heat, but the material is much too light weight to RETAIN excess heat/energy. At less than 1/2 ounce per square foot, there is not enough thermal mass to store a large amount of radiant heat/energy. Heat is quickly dissipated by cooler air moving up, through the open netting - even 90% density has 1.5mm holes. A solid roof or canvas tarp would function differently, but with an open netting like shade material, lighter colors of less density are not functionally any "cooler" than a darker color with a higher shade factor rating. |
click here for discounted remnants, returns, and wrinkled roll ends
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Custom size outdoor knitted shade fabric (shadecloth) provides sun protection as shade canopy, pergola patio cover, playground shading, sun screen, shade netting, shade tarp, paintball netting, shade sail, lanai cover or windscreen.
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