What are the best shade fabrics for your shade cloth?
From camping to gardening, there are so many fun activities to do in the summer. But sometimes, you want a little bit of shade from the sunshine while you are outdoors. What can you do besides head inside?
The solution is colored shade cloths. These decorative coverings provide shade from the stifling heat in the midst of summer. When it comes to shade fabric there are many varieties, we will go over each of them in this article.
Shade Fabric Options:
- Woven vs. knitted
- Colors to choose from
- Density percentage
Woven vs. knitted
There are two basic types of shade cloth fabric, woven and knitted. Woven tends to be heavier, isn’t as easy to install, but offers more protection from UV rays. While the knitted shade cloth is more lightweight and easier to install, it also has a longer life expectancy and doesn’t unravel as much.
The amount of protection you need depends on the types of plants you are growing as well as your location. If you are in direct sunlight and your summers get very warm you will need more protection than someone further north without as much direct sunlight.
Some types of shades are also made of Aluminum. You can read more about Aluminet shade cloths here. Aluminet shade fabric reflects the sunlight off your greenhouse so your plants are not exposed to the direct sunlight. They also allow for great airflow, so you get ventilation to your plants as well.
Color of your shade fabric
Green is the best for shading plants. Our green knitted shade cloths are great for not only your gardens and greenhouses, but also for your patios, porches, and swimming pool. The knitted cloth provides protection from the rays while also letting air, wind, and rain in for your plants. The cooler temperatures and less direct sunlight will be the perfect place for your plants to grow.
Depending on your level of light directly on your greenhouse will affect the color you choose. Light colors and white will reflect the light off the greenhouse and limit heat transmission. White is best for flowering plants; the light color allows plenty of reflective light and ventilation to get in. Darker colors and black will reduce the radiated heat loss and offer the most UV protection. These are best for shade plants that don’t like much sunshine such as ferns and begonias.
Density Percentage
The lower the percentage number, the less amount of sun is blocked. At 100% you will be blocking all the sun. This is best is very hot places such as Africa and Australia. However, most plants in Northern America will prefer 40-60% shade.
You can find shade fabrics made from 10-90 percent; this refers to how much of the direct sunlight is blocked. Some plants will prefer much more shade, for these areas of your garden or greenhouse, you will want to find a much higher density percentage shade fabric.
As you can see, there are a number of options you have when choosing your best shade fabric for you. If you will be camping somewhere with little to no natural shade options, a very high-density percentage woven shade fabric will protect you the most from the dangerous UV rays. However, for your average greenhouse, a knitted green colored shade fabric with a lower density will be a better choice.
Check out our many options here and enjoy choosing the best shade fabric for your next summer activity.