The best sail shades will complement and protect your favourite garden furniture. They are an affordable alternative to a super-size parasol, awning or gazebo. These large swathes of fabric stretch over a section of your garden or patio, from corner to corner, providing shade for your garden. Some people also swear by sail shades to stop their conservatories from over-heating. With the help of Modern Gardens writer Kate Sleeman, we have picked some of our favourite sail shades for the garden.
Sail shades come in a variety of sizes and colours. Plus, most are made from waterproof fabric – which extends the use of your outdoor living space. You can erect one yourself, or, you can opt for a bespoke sail shade, which has been made and fitted to your garden specifically. Kate says, "As well as protecting you from the sun and light showers, shade sails will quickly define a space."
Best sail shades at a glance:
• Best overall: Ankuka Black Rectangular Garden Sun Shade Sail - View on Amazon UK
• Best triangular: HEYOMART Sun Shade Sail - View on Amazon UK
• Best for larger gardens: Dripex Sun Shade Sail - View on Amazon UK
Above all, sail shades provide the perfect spot for a shaded garden party. Cheri LaMay of Earthworks Garden Design explains further their influence, “They bring a great opportunity to add colour, uniting an area if the colour of the sail is harmonious with the planting scheme palette.”
Best sail shades for your garden
Best overall sail shade
Ankuka/AmazonThis Ankuka sunshade sail is made of from high-density polyester that's been given a waterproof coating making it resistant to rain and tears. It also offers a high level of UV protection - up to 98% - so shields you from the sun. This sail shade boasts double-edged hems and stainless steel D-rings for stability. This comes in three sizes; two by three metres, three by four, and four by six.
Customer review: "I just received this sunshade and so far I am very pleased. It's so far very durable and strong. I love when there is and rain and it handles it all like a pro. This is a great product to have."
Pros
- Stainless steel D-rings
- 98% UV resistance
Cons
- Requires precise installation
Best sail shade for simple chic
Clara/AmazonKeep yourself shaded with this sail from Clara Shade Sails. This pure white waterproof sail can be attached to anything from posts to a chair. Decked out with lightweight, waterproof fabric, this product provides fantastic protection from those nasty UV rays. Installation seems pretty straightforward with strong, stainless steel D-rings and rope. Easy to fold up and store, you can bring some style to your outdoor space.
Customer Review: "I am really happy with my Clara sail shade. I bought it for my pergola and it has been really great to have some shade to sit under during this heatwave."
Pros
- Reinforced Stitching
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some customers are concerned about fabric fraying
Best sail shade for style
La Redoute www.laredoute.co.uk
Bring a decorative touch to your garden with some verdant green. We love this La Redoute shade sail with its pretty plant pattern - which is essential for sun protection and perfect for any summer outdoor space. Despite its attractive looks, this sail shade is a practical choice as it's made of 100% polyester canvas. This measures in at 2.45 metres by 3.5.
Customer Review: "It's not easy to find shade sails with patterns and colours so this one is very good because it brings a little freshness compared to the grey that we usually see."
Pros
- Pretty foliage pattern
- 100% polyester
Cons
- Screws and fixing system not included
Best triangular sail shade
Heyomart/AmazonWe're fans of a triangular sail shade to bring the nautical vibes to your outside space. One of the benefits of a triangular option is that you only have three fixing points to worry about. This HEYOMART choice is made from 100% polyester with a 160GSM PU coating for water resistance and to stop those UV rays. It comes in a range of sizes, from two metres to five and a rainbow of colours. You can choose a hue to suit your outdoor decor - there's blue, burgundy, green, grey, orange, and sand.
Customer review: "Liked it full stop. Easy to put up, nice colour, quick delivery, handy for outside and the summerhouse. Fits perfect and water resistant."
Pros
- Range of colours available
- Only three fixing points
Cons
- Supplied rope is not UV resistant
Best complete sail shade kit
Vounot/AmazonThis VOUNOT option is a no-fuss choice that contains everything you need to get your sun shade sailing. As well as the fabric shade, the kit includes two spring hooks, two carabineer clips, four wall brackets, 18 screws, nylon rope, and a PVC storage bag. The sail shade is made of HDPE which blocks 90% of UV rays and has a permeable texture which greatly helps with water run-off. This comes in grey or ivory and in five different sizes.
Customer review: "We bought the sun shade sail to hang inside our south facing conservatory to help with the heat generated from the polycarbonate roof. The sail arrived beautifully packaged in its own bag with all the accessories included. It was so easy to fit and a good perfect quality with no faults. The sun shade sail also helps with the glare that comes through the polycarbonate roofing. We could see and feel the difference it made straight away. The cream works beautifully with the wood and furnishing too. Would highly recommend, a good price for everything you need whether it be inside or out."
Pros
- All fittings included
- Breathable fabric
Cons
- Only 90% UV protection
Best sail shade for large gardens
Dripex/AmazonThis Dripex sail shade comes in a range of sizes including a generously-proportioned five by seven metre option, making this our top choice for larger outside spaces. This is another polyester shade that has that crucial PU coating to repel water and block up to 95% of UV rays. It's recommended you suspend this large sail at an angle of 20 to 40 degrees in order to ensure rain runs off it, otherwise you could end up with a saggy sail. This comes in beige and grey.
Customer review: "Brought this for our garden for sun shade and privacy from neighbours. It is fantastic quality and I was surprised how well made it was considering it cost so much less than others. This is my best buy for the summer."
Pros
- Multiple size options
- Stainless steel D-rings
Cons
- Only available in two colours
Best budget sail shade
B&Q www.diy.com
Another triangular option, this wins our "Best budget sail shade" award for its surprisingly affordable price tag. Despite the low cost, this sail shade is made from UV-protected, high-density plastic weave fabric that's mildew- and water-resistant and boasts strong seams for durability. The stainless steel rings on each corner help you to securely install the sail. This smaller sail shade is perfect to shield a garden table and chairs, or to be placed over a paddling pool to keep the sun off your little ones.
Customer review: "Perfect to keep the kids at the nursery in the shade this summer."
Pros
- Mildew-resistant
- Rope included
Cons
- Only available in "sand"
How we chose the best sail shades
All of these sail shades have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered size, shape, and material in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching sail shades to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
What do I need to know about sail shades before I buy?
Teck Soh, the shade sails buyer for Primrose, advises the following: "Sail shades are made for summer so it is best to take them down in bad weather to help them last longer and keep them looking their best.
Install at least one corner of the shade sail lower than the others to allow any rainwater to run off otherwise it will accumulate on the fabric causing it to stretch or tear.
Attach adjustable fixings to the shade sail. Make sure it is taut and tensioned to give it a nice finish. Otherwise, the sail will 'flap' in the wind."
Where do I put my sail shade?
Installing a shade shouldn’t be fiddly. Like any garden project you need to be considering the layout of your design. Kate says, “You can get creative and use several smaller overlapping sails at different heights for a dramatic effect.”
Make sure to check the area you want to cover, considering its size - and where the sun will be when you’re outside. Then, decide if you want the shade to be a long-term fixture or temporary.
Long-Term Shade
Long-term shades are great if you have any existing, robust structures that can anchor down your sails – such as a wall, wooden post or tree (at least 25cm in diameter). If not, don’t worry. Timber or steel poles cemented into the ground will do nicely.
Kate Sleeman offers more advice, “It’s a fairly simple job if your back is up to a bit of digging! If not, get in a handyman – you’ll need to dig four holes (around 80cm deep) at each corner of where the shade is going to be positioned. Fill with cement and push in the posts or poles and leave to set dry.”
Pop-Up Shade
However, if you haven’t got any anchor points – and don’t want to install any posts – then, something temporary might suit you best. You just tie it up and take it down once the day is over. Essentially, the sail is the same. But, it’s the attachments and fixings that are different.
Pop-up shades are great if you can get out in the garden regularly and keep an eye on them. This is because they’re not designed to withstand any of the typical British elements. Plus, if they’re not wrung tightly and lack tension, there will be no run-off and the sail will collect water just like a rainwater catcher.
Kate gives some of her thoughts on pop-up shades, “Sitting a shade sail further from the house can create an element of surprise. Temporarily suspended between trees over rough grass they give you the feeling of having come upon something hidden! This imaginative approach offers all kinds of opportunities for interest and entertainment in your garden.”
What to read next:
Low cost garden fence designs for marking your boundary on a budget
Subscribe to Modern Gardens magazine and get the most out of your outdoor space. Discover everything you need to know to make your outside space look fantastic, quickly and easily, with hundreds of simple ideas, designer tricks, affordable products and expert advice in every issue of Modern Gardens. View our latest subscription offers to save on shop prices.
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Modern Gardens Magazine, an all-rounder. When she’s not writing about houseplants, she’s tending to her own growing collection…