We offer three categories of service. 

Our Design & Construct Service includes the design, fabrication and erection of the whole of the works including structural engineering and approvals from the appropriate authorities. The Design & Construct Service is available in areas where we have distributors nearby or where the value of the work exceeds AUD$35,000.

The Design & Construct Service starts with helping you develop a concept into a functional design, which compliments the existing architecture. 

The next stage is for one of our experienced consultants to detail the design into a specification that can then be submitted to the appropriate authorities for permission to build. 

Many of our construction techniques for small structures hold pre approval status from some Building Authorities. This allows us to build those structures without having to involve consulting structural engineers and building surveyors. If the structure does not fit into our "pre approval status" arrangements, we will arrange for consulting engineers and building surveyors to certify that the structure has been built in accordance with the building standards. Where a Country, State or Territory does not have specific requirements for tension membrane structures we will use the requirements of the Building Code of Australia.

Once approval to build has been obtained, the location of the posts will be marked out, the foundations will be excavated and the supporting structure erected. After the concrete foundations of the structure have cured, final measurements will be taken and the Aerosail^TM shade sail will be patterned and manufactured. 

Domestic size sails are usually installed and the site restored within ten days of the supporting structure being erected. Larger sails take longer.

Our Design & Supply Service is suited to Architects, Construction companies, DIY (Do it yourself) and areas where we are not represented. 

The Design & Supply Service usually covers design of the structure and sails, structural engineering, fabrication of the sails and supply of the sail components. It is normal for the owner's representative to arrange completion of the remaining tasks. 

Our Made to Order Service is for experienced Tension Membrane Structure consultants.

This category of service suits those who have extensive experience with tension membrane design and engineering, who know exactly what they want and is looking for an experienced membrane fabricator. In most cases we would expect you to be able to supply us with CAD/CAM cutting patterns and detailed fixings.
 
 

Does shade cover, shade factor and ultra violet radiation block, mean much the same thing? 

No it doesn't! 
Shade cover means the percentage of area cover by the yarn and fibre. 
Shade factor means the percentage of light that is blocked out.
Ultra Violet Radiation (UV) block is the percentage of UV A & B that is blocked out.

There are some materials we use that have a high Cover factor (95%) and High UVR Block (95%), but still allow over 20% of light through.
 
 

What material options are there for my Aerosail^TM Shade Sail?

Shade cloth is a fabric knitted from HDPE (High-Density polyethylene) filament that is permeable to light, wind and fluids. Shade protection ranges from 50% to over 95%. The manufacturers of the filament add UV stabilisers to provide protection against UV degradation. Depending upon its use and period of exposure to direct sunlight, you should expect 5 to 10 years of serviceable life. Exposure to corrosive chemicals and gases (like chlorine) will shorten life of the fabric. 
Shade cloth is very popular because it was one of the first materials used for shade sail membranes and because it is relatively inexpensive. Most of the direct heat from the sun is reflected or absorbed by the material and dissipated up through the fabric, keeping the area underneath cool. 
It is a lightweight material that is easy to handle and hard wearing. For areas under 300 sq metres, most designs can facilitate fast removal in the event of a cyclone, which results in lighter (and cheaper) structures.
Drawbacks:
* Some shade cloth does not contain fire retardant and therefore is not suitable for use on commercial buildings. 
* Susceptible to abrasion. 
* Will stretch more than other materials over time. 
* Will sag with rainwater if it is not kept taut. 
* Dyes used in shade cloth fade sooner than other materials. 
* Seams and binding must be sewn and therefore will need to be re-sewn at least once during it's useable life. 

Areas of Use: Swimming pools, Carparks, Car Yards (Sun and hail protection), Playgrounds, and Cattle Sale Yards.

Micro Perforated PVC is made from woven polyester that is coated with vinyl resins. Micro Perforated PVC usually contains other additives such as UV stabilisers, fire retardant and dirt resistant coatings. The best materials contain all three additives. 
Micro Perforated PVC comes in large range of vibrant and pastel colours and is favoured by architects and building designers as an attractive alternative to shade cloth. The strength and low stretch of the polyester allows us to place the shade sail under considerable tension and form drum skin like tautness. Micro Perforated PVC has similar cooling properties to shade cloth. As with waterproof PVC the seams and binding are fused together using high frequency welding and this means there is no exposure to thread failure. 
The shade sail is virtually maintenance free over the life of the material. Depending upon its use we expect Micro Perforated PVC membranes to last 6 to 12 years. Micro Perforated PVC is not waterproof and many structures do not require engineering. 

Drawbacks 
* Susceptible to abrasion 
* Considerably more expensive than shade cloth. 
Areas of use: Swimming pools, entertaining areas, resorts and outdoor restaurants where a quality finish is required.

Waterproof PVC Composite Membranes are made from woven high tenacity polyester that is coated with vinyl resins. Good quality PVC Composite Membranes contains other additives such as UV stabilisers, fire retardant, mould and dirt resistant coatings and environment protection coating such as PVDF, that enhance the utility of the material. The best materials contain all four. In the lighter weight materials PVC comes in a huge range of vibrant and pastel colours and for this reason are favoured by architects and building designers. Whilst the colours will eventually fade to some degree, they do hold their original colour longer than many other materials. PVC membrane materials come in a wide range of thicknesses and are used from the smallest structure up to enormous buildings such as airport terminals and sport stadiums. The strength of the high tenacity polyester allows us to place the shade sail under considerable tension and form a drum-skin like tautness. 
One of the biggest advantages our PVC Composite Membranes have over other materials are the seams and perimeter catenary pockets are fused together using high frequency welding, creating a watertight bond. As there is no sewing, which is susceptible to rot, and except for the occasional wash, the material is usually maintenance free over the life of the material. Depending on the type of material selected and it's use, we expect architectural grade Waterproof PVC to last 7 to 25 years. 
Good quality PVC Composite Membranes are very popular as a substitute to conventional building materials because whilst they keep the rain, wind and sun out, they allow up to 20% filtered light in. PVC Composite Membranes are the ideal choice in warm climates because they are poor conductors of heat and therefore, much cooler. They also have a cost advantage over conventional building materials. 

Drawbacks 
* Susceptible to abrasion 
* Considerably more expensive than shade cloth. 
* All structures supporting waterproof PVC require structural engineering. 
PVC Composite Membranes are favoured for providing all weather protection for sporting venues, outdoor restaurants, car parks, car sale yards, living areas, carports, awnings and walkways. 

What is PVDF and is it worth the extra money?

PVDF is a florine polymer surface coating that provides exceptional resistance to UV rays and atmospheric pollutants. Tests have shown that after the equivalent of 10 years exposure to tropical sun the PVDF coated materials retained 70% of their original shine compared to 20% for the best of other types of coatings. This greatly extends the life expectancy of the PVC composite membrane material and has vastely superior dirt and mould resisting properties.
A PVDF coated material usually adds 35% to 50% to the cost of a membrane. It provides good value for money where a membrane is required to last more than 10 years or is required to go for long periods without routine cleaning.

Why do you recommend Ferrari Composite membrane materials?
Ferrari membrane materials are, the best of type because they are specifically designed for the tension membrane market. Their Precontraint technology consists of pretensioning the core material before and during the coating process. This results in a finished material that has a consistent elongation along the warp and weft, which has a superior finsh that is not susceptible to sagging and creeping. Once installed the sails do not need retensioning.
The materials under 700 gsm are available in over 30 colours.

Structural Materials and Components 
Steel work: All of the steelwork we supply complies with Australian Standard AS4100 or equivalent and is coated with zinc galvanising, powdercoated or coated with zinc-rich primer and painted with two-pack polyurethane. Fixing points on steelwork are stainless steel. This system of construction has been proven to maintain the attractive appearance and provide many years of low maintenance service. 

Turnbuckles and Other Fittings: 
All of the tensioning hardware we use is stainless steel and only require occasional lubricating. Other fittings such as wall and roof mounted brackets are made from marine grade aluminium that is durable and requires minimal maintenance. 
Upon special request, we will supply galvanised components which whilst just as strong, require more maintenance, will eventually rust and lack the aesthetic qualities of stainless steel and marine grade aluminium. 
 
 

Why do some sails sag in the middle?

Shade cloth sails sag excessively in the middle when they do not have sufficient pitch, need catenary cables or do not shed rainwater efficiently. All shade sails should have a pitch of at least 1 metre in 6 metres so that when it rains the water is spilled near or over the side. Large shade sails need catenary cable stop the sail sagging excessively under it own weight and to provide for adjustment when the materials stretch with age.
With the right design, choice of materials and proper installation, PVC composite membrane sails should not sag.
 
 

Which shape of sail gives the best shade coverage?

Any sail with four or more sides will provide the best coverage. Whilst triangular shade sails are aesthetically pleasing they do not provide as much shade as other the shapes due to the narrow corners and necessary hollow cut in each side. 
 
 

If I shade my pool, how cold will the water get?

Use caution when selecting the amount of shade you wish to introduce over swimming pools and spas. Many people find blocking out 90% or more sun makes the water cold when the shade covers the whole of the pool/spa. However, only blocking out 70% of the sun is often not sufficient in an entertaining area. Our consultants will assess your particular situation and help you find the best solution. 
 
 

Why do some sails have steel cables on the perimeter, and others don't?

Corner plates and cables around the perimeter of a sail spread the load and tension more evenly and provide support for the sail. Cables and Plates add to the cost, but they do make the sails last longer.
On micro perforated PVC and PVC composite membrane sails we always use plates and catenary cables because these types of sails are under much greater loads and they also stop the sails from wrinkling excessively, in the corners. 
 
 

If there is a break in the stitching of my shadecloth sail, will the seam unravel?

This problem occurs if shade cloth sail that is stitched using a "Chain" stitch. We have recently changed over our machinery to a "locked" stitch, which means if there is a break in the stitching the rest of the seam will remain intact. The most common causes of stitches breaking are abrasion, burns from cigarettes or fireworks, fruit bat droppings and UV degradation. 
 
 

What is not usually included in our quotation?

* Engineering of the shade sail membrane. 
* Damage to underground services 
* The cost of excavating heavy rock 
* Town planning, Municipal Council, Neighbour, Body Corporate and Developer approval. 
We do not usually seek engineer's specifications for the Aerosail shade sail unless you advise us in writing that you want this done and the quotation includes provision for this. 
Our quotation excludes damage to underground services because of the difficulty we have in knowing exactly where they are. However, the Power, Water, Gas and Telephone authorities will usually be able to locate their services for you. 
Where approval from Town Planning, Municipal Councils, Neighbours, Body Corporates and Developers is required one of our experienced consultants will assist in obtaining these approvals, if required. 
 

Are Aerosail^TM Shade Structures designed to withstand severe windstorms?

The structure (ie posts and rigging) is designed and constructed to meet the requirements of the Australian Building Code and specifically to the standard required for cyclonic areas. If you require the structure to meet another standard, please advise us when requesting a quotation.
If the sails are less than 500 sq metres they can be designed for quick removal from the structure, in the event that a cyclone or other violent wind is forecast for the area. This results in a lighter and cheaper structure. We can also incorporate various fail-safe releases into the sail fixing points so that they will release themselves and not increase the uplift forces on the structure beyond the design capacity, if required. 
Where it is not practical to remove sails in the event of a cyclone, the sails and structure are designed to the relevant Building code for the location.
 
 

Do Aerosail^TM Shade Structures require building permits?

It varies from Country to Country, State to State and even between municipalities within the same State. The size and materials used in the sails can also have an affect. However, as a general rule, building permits are required in most areas. If building permits are required and we have been retained to provide the Design & Construct Service, we will also organise the building permit for you. 

 

What warranty applies to Aerosail^TM products?

In addition to any rights you may have under Consumer legislation all Aerosail's sold to domestic consumers have a one year warranty against defects in materials and fabrication. After one year, if you paid your account within the agreed credit terms we give a Pro-Rata warranty for four years against defects in fabrication of the Aerosail^TM shade sail and structure. The material manufacturers also give warranties which range from 0 to 10 years, depending on your choice of material. If you wish to know more about the material manufacturer's warranties, please ask our customer service people to get this for you. The warranty does not cover errors in design or inadequacy in materials specification, prepared by the customer or consultants acting on the customer's behalf. 
 

How do I look after my Aerosail^TM?

Washing 

To obtain the maximum life from your Aerosails we recommend cleaning them periodically with Ph neutral detergent and a soft brush. The technique we have found most effective is to soap up the sail first and allow the detergent to soak into the dirt and mould for about ten minutes before washing it off. This process loosens the dirt and minimises the need for scrubbing. If it is necessary to scrub, it should only be done lightly otherwise the protective coating on the sail will be damaged. If you use a domestic water blaster it is advisable to keep the nozzle at least 300 mm from the sail to avoid damage to the sail and its protective coatings. Never use strong detergents or abrasive type cleaning materials because they will permanently damage the sail's protective coatings. 

Fittings 

Turnbuckles should be lubricated at least once every year so they remain free turning. 
 
 

Where can we see examples of your work?

Over the past 10 Years Aerosail^TM have designed manufactured and installed thousands of shade structures. Most have been for private individuals, which makes it difficult for you to inspect the quality of our shade sails. The following are readily accessible to the public in the Northern Territory. 

A deposit of 50% is required with the order and the balance owing is payable on the day the Aerosail^TM shade sail is installed or despatched. We accept credit card payments by Visa, MasterCard and Bankcard. We also accept documentary letters of credit underwritten by acceptable financial institutions.