The Different Types of Commercial Shade Structures

Commonwealth Games Village shade structure installed by Versatile Structures

There are many different types of commercial shade structures available on the market today. Below is a list of some of the most popular types of Shade Structures: Umbrella Shades Umbrella shades are probably the most popular type of shade structures due to their ease of use and portability. Umbrella shades can be placed almost anywhere and…

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Questions we’re often asked

Custom shade sail for Sir Lew Edwards Park, Ipswich City Council by Versatile Structures.

Whether used for commercial, industrial, or residential purposes at entrances, entertaining areas, sports and recreation areas, schools, hospitality, retail or vehicles, a shade structure is defined as a freestanding or fixed roofed structure for the purpose of providing UVR protection, shade, and shelter from the weather. What sets Versatile Structures apart is our custom design…

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Fabrics used in tensile membrane structures

Tensile membrane structure installed by Versatile Structures

What fabrics are used in tensile membrane structures? Depending on who you talk to in the shade structure industry, the material used to cover the structure can be referenced as either fabric or cloth. Fabric is essentially a material produced by weaving multiple fibres together for strength. Architectural fabrics is a combination which uses a…

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The psychology of choosing a shade sail colour

Whether you want to transform your shaded outdoor area with an aesthetic appearance that is light and airy, bold, and sophisticated, or any combination in between, you will be spoilt for choice as there are so many shade sail colours to choose from. Are you wanting the shade sail to blend into its surrounds or…

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Shade structures by industry

Shade sails installed by Versatile Structures for Supercheap Auto

Shade structures by industry There are no hard and fast rules about which shade structure design you can or can’t use for your business or residential property. With hundreds of styles, colours and shade fabrics to choose from, different industries seem to gravitate to certain shade structure solutions though. The reason for that is that…

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Are retractable awnings worth it?

Retractable Shade sails installed by Versatile Structures

The return-on-investment for retractable awnings is good as the cost is minimal compared to constructing a deck or patio roof. Retractable awnings also provide shelter from the heat and sun, save costs on energy bills, and offer you the flexibility of how much time wish to spend outdoors. When considering installing an awning for your…

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Shade structures and sustainability

Shade sails installed by Versatile Structures in the Noosa Botanical Gardens

Shade structures are essentially produced with the purpose of providing shade and reducing UV radiation. This means they have an underlying environmental purpose at their core. Shade structure specialists follow environmentally friendly practices like using water-based coatings, re-using waste products, and recycling shade substrates. In fact, it is possible to recycle the entire shade structure from…

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Using high quality shade structure hardware is key

Marine grade shade structure fittings used by Versatile Structures

Fittings hardware are easily overlooked when it comes to shade structures as the colourful shade fabrics and architectural designs are always first to catch the eye. Some people may take note of the structural steelwork that supports the shade structure frame, but only a handful will notice what hardware and fittings are used from nuts,…

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Polycarbonate, the ultimate UVR resistant shade structure solution

The Westend Common walkway shade structure featuring a polycarbonate roof, manufactured, and installed by Versatile Structures

The use of lightweight polycarbonate in shade structures has become synonymous with sun protection as the material does not allow harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) rays to be transmitted. To better understand the value of polycarbonate as a protective substrate against UVR in shade structures we need to better understand ultraviolet radiation. What is ultraviolet radiation?…

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Shade structures and fire performance

Shade structure on fire

Fire resistant shade cloth is important to commercial industry as one of the biggest risks a business can face is fire. Not only is a fire debilitating to a business when damage and destruction bring trading to a standstill, but even more so when the lives and careers of employees being impacted.   Older shade…

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