One of the major concerns that you may have when purchasing shade sails for commercial use is the choice of color, especially during the hot season. The wrong colors that absorb and disperse radiation can make the space underneath the shade sails hot and uncomfortable. The choice of color comes down to deciding between bright and dark colors. Which are the best colors for a cooler underneath? 

Dark vs. bright shades

When it comes to the choice of clothes, dark colors usually absorb heat and make you feel hot, while bright shades reflect the radiation away and keep you cool. However, this theory does not apply to shade sails. First, when you are seated beneath a shade sail, the material does not come into contact with your body. Darker shades are always preferable for a cool underneath for the following reasons.

•    Dark colors absorb the sun's radiation and retain it; therefore, the material will be hot to the touch. However, since you will be seated a meter or so below it, the heat will not be reflected, and the area will remain fresh.

•    Bright shades reflect light and radiation, and since the shade sail material is thin, the radiation will penetrate through and warm the space beneath it. The heat will reach your body and make you hot.

Darker shades such as black will absorb radiation better and keep the space cooler. Consider such shades when choosing the interior color of the shade sail.

Dark shades and UV radiation concerns

Dark shades usually make the space beneath shade sails darker as they block much of the sun's light and radiation. As a result, they block more ultraviolet rays than light shades, which will allow them to penetrate. When using dark shades, you should not be worried about exposure to the harmful ultra-violet rays.

Glare and reflective surfaces

Note that where you pitch your shade sail will determine your exposure to ultra-violet rays. Pitching it near surfaces that cause glare in the sun, such as white surfaces, swimming pools and sources of water, or reflective windows and building walls can expose you to radiation. When the sun's rays heat a reflective or glaring surface, they bounce off these surfaces and scatter into any direction, including underneath the shade sail where people are seated. To avoid this, assess the area where you want to pitch the shades to ensure that there are no reflective surfaces.

Shade sails are aesthetically appealing structures that are suitable for creating shades in outdoor spaces with a nautical design and feel. Choosing the ideal underneath colors can create a cool sitting place even in the summer heat.