FAQ About Playground Shades

1. What types of playground shades do you sell?
We sell square shades, rectangular shades, hexagon shades, octagon shades, umbrella shades, and sail shades.

2. How are shade structures installed?
We sell commercial-grade shade structures, the kind with thick steel posts. Our structures are available with two installation options. First, you can dig holes in the ground and secure the bottom of the posts in the ground with concrete. Or, you can build small concrete pads and bolt the bottom of the posts to them. To install the canopy on either type of structure, you’ll need to fit the angled cross-beams in place, then secure the canopy to it. It’s not rocket science, but it does require careful measuring and at least two people.

3. Does your company install playground shade structures?
Yes, we install shade structures in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. We don’t just sell shade structures — we’ve built dozens of them, unlike many of our competitors. Outside the MD – DC – VA area, we may be able to recommend a factory team. But the truth is, someone with basic construction experience can install a shade structure, especially the smaller-sized shades (up to 20′ dimensions).

4. How strong are your canopies?
Our canopies are made of UV stabilized high density polyethylene which blocks up to 97% of harmful UV rays. They’re very strong, and they come with a limited 10-year warranty. They provide up to 91% shade, and they meet the California State Fire Marshall requirements, NFPA 701 and ASTM E84. They’re fade-resistant, mildew-resistant, and rot-resistant.

5. Which color canopy do you recommend?
All of the colors maintain their color over time, but in our experience, yellow and red tend to fade slightly faster than darker colors like blue and green.

6. How strong are the shade structure posts?
The shade structure posts are rated up to winds of 150 miles per hour without the canopy. When the canopy is installed on the structure, the unit is rated up to hurricane Force 1 winds (95 mph)? The posts are made from steel, and they come with a limited 20-year warranty against failure due to rust. The thickness of the posts varies depending on the size of the shade structure.

7. Should I remove the canopy in winter?
If you live in a climate that receives snow in winter, yes, you should definitely remove the canopy. Our shade units are very sturdy, but even a couple of inches of snow can put weight on a shade canopy that may permanently damage it. Snow may be fluffy and beautiful to look at, but it’s much heavier than it looks.