ColourTree Sun Shade Sails Review: Beat the Heat in Style
2024 Updates!
This past weekend, we took advantage of the beautiful Spring weather to install our patio shade sails. After 3 full seasons of use, they are still in great shape and I stand by my review. My husband was very smart and labeled each set of hardware so the total time to install three shade sails is less than 30 minutes. I will note that prices have fluctuated since 2021 so I recommend doing your research and creating a budget when you design your patio shade solution.
ColourTree Sun Shade Sails Review
Hey there, patio people! Are you ready to beat the heat and elevate your outdoor living space to new heights? When it comes to outdoor patio shade ideas, shade sails are at the top of my list.
In 2021, we installed ColourTree Sun Shade Sails so I am excited to share with you our firsthand experience with these patio shade sails to assist you with selecting the best shade options for your outdoor space.
If you are just getting started, check out my post “Patio Shade Sails: Stylish and Affordable Outdoor Patio Shade Ideas“. This post will guide you through all the essentials of patio shade sails, ensuring you have a complete understanding of this stylish and cost-effective outdoor shade solution.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Product Specifications
Product Name: ColourTree Sun Shade Sail
Price: $26 – $300 (price varies based on shape and size)
Color: Sand Beige (available in other colors)
Size: For this review, I purchased:
- 10′ x 20′ Sand Beige Rectangle – $54.99
- 12′ x 12′ x 12′ Sand Beige Triangle – $39.99
- 10′ x 10′ x 14′ Sand Beige Right Triangle – $27.99
Purchased From: Amazon
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
Key Features
Materials – High quality 100% non-recycled HDPE material for improved durability over recycled materials. Blocks up to 95% of harmful UV rays.
Durability – All edges are constructed with heavy-duty double layered reinforced stitched seams, which prevents frayed edges. Each corner ends with a heavy-duty stainless steel D-ring for easy hanging.
Shapes & Sizes – Available in both rectangle and triangle shapes, with a wide range of standard and custom sizes to choose from. Custom orders are available in 3 – 7 days.
Installation – Includes an online measurement and installation video. Installation hardware kits are sold separately.
Warranty – Comes with a 3-year limited warranty, under normal weather and usage.
My Review
ColourTree Sun Shade Sails have completely transformed our outdoor living space by providing much-needed shade, even during scorching summer days. Our patio, once an unbearable hot spot, has now become a gathering place for the entire family. These patio shade sails have proven their durability, enduring extreme conditions such as snow, hail, heavy rain, strong winds, and the intense mile-high sun.
Highly Durable – I am impressed by the exceptional durability of ColourTree Sun Shade Sails. There is no evidence of color fading, stretching, rips, or tears. The D-rings have remained securely attached to the edges, and all the stitching is still intact.
Highly Customizable – We were pleased with their extensive selection of shapes and sizes and the quick delivery time frame for standard sizes. At the time we ordered these shade sails in 2021, the color options were very limited but at the time of this review in 2023, there are 10 additional colors available.
It would be fantastic to have the option of ordering color samples. This way, you can preview the exact shade of the sail before making a complete order. It seems that not all colors are available for every shape and size. I would recommend that you first design your layout and then check the color availability of the sails you plan to purchase.
Limited Instructions – One drawback of the ColourTree Shade Sails is the limited set of instructions provided. The measurement and installation video is only a brief 2 minutes long. However, there are numerous online resources available that offer comprehensive guidance on installing patio shade sails.
Hardware Not Included – Since the installation hardware is not included, you do need to plan your layout and identify the hardware you need based on your installation requirements. There are many hardware kits sold or hardware pieces can be purchased individually. While this may pose a challenge for some, we personally found the installation process manageable even without step-by-step instructions or included hardware.
Highly Recommended – Overall, I highly recommend ColourTree Sun Shade Sails. They have made a huge difference in our patio and we look forward to many more years of enjoyment under their shade!
Patio Shade Sail Buying Guide
In general, measuring for and purchasing a patio shade sail is pretty straightforward. However, the additional hardware may be overwhelming for some. Here are a few tips to make your purchase easier:
- Take precise measurements of the area you want to shade. Identify the size and shape of the sail needed based on these measurements and create a plan for your patio shade sail layout.
- Research installation requirements, hardware needed, and any available accessories for assistance in the installation process.
- Make sure to purchase quality heavy-duty hardware that designed to withstand the outdoor elements and are the right size for your application.
With our patio shade sail design, we centered a large rectangular shade sail in the center of our patio and flanked it on each end with a slightly overlapping triangular shade sail to maximize the amount of shade on our patio.
We used our house as the main anchor (6 anchor points) and then installed poles into our concrete patio as the other anchor points (2 poles, 4 anchor points). Rather than purchasing prefabricated cable, we made custom cable wires to fit our space perfectly. Due to the high winds in our area, we also added guy wires to serve as an extra anchor for the poles.
While we didn’t document a video or maintain detailed records of every item we bought for this project, I’ve provided an outline to provide you with an estimate of the overall project cost.
| Qty | Item | Cost |
| 3 | Patio Shade Sails (listed above) | $123 |
| 2 | Patio Outdoor Sun Shade Sail Pole Kits | $196 |
| 6 | Heavy Duty Eye Bolts | $12 |
| 14 | Heavy Duty Snap Hooks (Carabiners) | $140 |
| 4 | Turnbuckles (1 for each triangle, 2 for the rectangle) | $36 |
| 68 | Feet of 3/16″ diameter Aircraft Grade Cable Wire | $100 |
| ? | Aluminum Crimping Loop Sleeves (to make loops in the cable wire) | $60 |
| 6 | Post/anchors for guy lines | $10 |
| 1 | Caulk (to prevent water damage to our house from installing the eye bolts) | $7 |
| 1 | Concrete drill bit | $20 |
| 1 | Daily rental of drill for concrete | $50 |
We invested approximately $754 (plus tax) to cover our patio measuring 34 feet in length and 14 feet in width with some incredible shade. We are so pleased with the end result and feel like it was worth every penny! It’s important to note that we didn’t have a lot of extra material when making this project, so we ended up having to purchase extra snap hooks, cable wire, and crimping loop sleeves. We also purchased most of the hardware for this project from a locally owned hardware store during the pandemic when the cost of materials was at it’s highest point. This added cost wasn’t expected but was worth it for the perfect fit and stability of our shade sail structure.
Bring on the shade. Invest in your patio transformation today!
Patio shade sails can completely transform the look and feel of your outdoor space. They are relatively easy to install, customizable in shape and size, and provide needed protection from the hot summer sun. Patio shade sails are a budget-friendly alternative to permanent structures and they make any outdoor area look more stylish! With a little research and time spent planning your design, you can have your shade sail up in no time.
We would love to hear your thoughts! Have you installed a shade sail in your outdoor space? What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them? Or, if you’re considering installing one, what questions or concerns do you have? Please share your experiences, thoughts, and questions in the comments section below.
Made in the Shade,
Jenn in the Outside