Fabric Covers vs. Metal Covers

When choosing between a metal shade cover or a fabric shade cover, it is important to know the benefits and disadvantages of each. Answering questions such as “Which material will last longer?,” “Which requires less maintenance?” and “Which will look best in my space?,” will help you make the best choice when selecting a shade structure that will provide years of enjoyment.

Metal Shade Cover

Although they look sturdy and more durable, metal shade covers have no flexibility or breathability. Unlike fabric, metal shade covers can trap heat reducing air circulation, which is key to your cooling comfort.

Metal shade covers also completely blocks the sunlight, preventing grass and plants from growing underneath, making it inconvenient in parks or other recreational areas.

Storms can be harder on metal shade covers too because they are not flexible, meaning more weather-related damage can happen. These structures require regular maintenance and need to be cleaned often due to debris piling on top of the cover weighing it down or getting blown off after a gust of wind and damaging something nearby. Metal shades also need to be inspected for pests often. It is easier for animals to live in the crevices of the metal structure.

Fabric Shade Covers

Fabric shade covers have great flexibility and durability in all types of weather. They improve air circulation which helps reduce temperatures in shaded places and allows soft light to filter through. The light enables plants and grass to flourish underneath the cover. The fabric is low maintenance in comparison to a metal shade cover. The fabric shade cover is easy to clean and Apollo Sunguard’s fabric shade covers resist mildew and mold and rarely collects debris.

Fabric shade covers also offer more in the way of design. They come in a wide variety of colors and can be designed to create multiple aesthetically pleasing patterns that can work to compliment any space.

Apollo Sunguard sunshades are available in 32 different types of structures, 17 fabric colors, and 11 frame colors. Logos can be added for a custom touch, and we can also incorporate solar panels, lighting and more. At Apollo Sunguard we can also create completely custom shade structures that are uniquely yours.

Apollo Sunguard Fabric Shade Structures Mimic Trees

At Apollo Sunguard, our shade covers are made from a high-density polyethylene material and ultraviolet additives that is breathable, mimicking trees – nature’s best shade makers.

We import our raw fabric from the best cloth manufacturer in the world – MultiKnit of South Africa. South Africa, along with Australia, is the first modern creator of shade cloths. When we cut, sew and reinforce to fully engineered specifications, our shade covers are 65% American made.

Fabric Shade Structures Mimic Trees

By using biomimicry in the design of Apollo Sunguard shade structures, we can provide clean energy solutions to help improve life. A shade structure can help eliminate the Urban Heat Island effect by helping cool down energy-absorbing materials such as asphalt and concrete.

Under Apollo Sunguard shade structures, temperatures can feel up to 20 degrees cooler while naturally blocking up to 97 percent of UV rays.

For more information about adding shade to your space, contact Apollo Sunguard at 941-925-3000 or at [email protected].