Shade Journal

Charcoal triangle shade sail in an Australian backyard
Rectangle Shade Sail or Triangle? Pros and Cons Compared
Rectangle shade sail or triangle? Coverage, fixing points, slope and hardware compared with real numbers, plus the spaces each shape suits. Read more
Charcoal 3.5 m round cantilever umbrella shading an outdoor area
Cantilever vs Market Umbrella: Which Should You Choose?
Cantilever vs market umbrella: how each one works, a side-by-side comparison and the situations where each makes more sense, with the base planning both need. Read more
Black 25 kg round umbrella base with circle pattern for centre-pole umbrellas
How Heavy Should a Centre-Pole Umbrella Base Be?
Umbrella base weight explained: how to match the base to your centre-pole umbrella, the types of base available, and the safe habits that matter more than any number. Read more
Cream rectangle shade sail in Oxford polyester over an Australian backyard
Shade Sail Fabric Explained: Oxford Polyester and PU Coating
What does "Oxford polyester with a PU coating" mean for your shade sail? How this shade sail fabric compares with knitted shade cloth, and how to install and care for... Read more
Charcoal 4 x 3 m rectangle cantilever umbrella shading an outdoor setting
What Size Cantilever Umbrella Do You Need?
Round 3.5 m, square 3 x 3 m or rectangle 4 x 3 m? How to measure your space and choose a cantilever umbrella size that shades the whole table,... Read more
Charcoal freestanding 3 x 3 m pergola with retractable roof in a backyard
Pergola vs Gazebo: A Clear Guide for Australian Homes
Retractable roof or peaked double roof? The real differences between a freestanding pergola and a garden gazebo, and how to choose the right one for your space. Read more
Taupe 2.7 m round centre-pole outdoor umbrella in a sandstone courtyard
Centre-Pole Outdoor Umbrellas in Australia: A Practical Guide
Round, rectangle or extra large: how to choose a centre-pole outdoor umbrella, match it to the right base and place it for the Australian sun. Read more
Sand cantilever umbrella with double top shading an outdoor dining area
Cantilever Umbrellas: The Complete Buyer's Guide for Australian Backyards
How a cantilever umbrella works, which features matter, how to size it and how to anchor it safely: everything to check before you choose one for your backyard. Read more
Charcoal rectangle shade sail over a backyard patio
Shade Sail Posts: What You Need to Know
Materials, footings, heights and fittings: what to check before you add a post for your shade sail. Read more
Cream rectangle shade sail over a summer lunch table in an Australian backyard
How to Set Up Your Backyard for an Australian Summer
Long lunches, late dinners, and a backyard you actually want to sit in. Our checklist for getting your outdoor space ready before the heat arrives. Read more
Sand cantilever outdoor umbrella shading a dining table in an Australian backyard
Shade Sail, Umbrella or Pergola: Which One Suits Your Backyard?
Three great ways to create shade, three very different spaces. Here's how to choose the one that fits how you actually live outside. Read more
Measuring the distance to a timber post on a backyard deck before choosing a shade sail
How to Measure Your Space for a Shade Sail
Five minutes with a tape measure saves you from the most common shade sail mistake: ordering the wrong size. Here's how to get it right the first time. Read more