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Shade Sails
Shade sails are a great way to add coverage around your yard, on your deck or patio. Our team has a range of products to choose from. Please seek advice from your local council.
Who Can Install Shade Sails?
Unfortunately, we cannot install shade sails or shade canopies but we can supply a ready to go DIY for those who like to do things themselves.
There’s a huge range of materials and colours to choose from these days, from shade-cloth and waterproof shade-cloth to vinyls so depending on the project, a material and a range of colours to choose from, from the standard green most of us know to vibrant oranges, pinks and even chocolate.
Important: An installer of shade sails and canopies must hold a Q.B.C.C. builders licence.
The state building code says that; shade sails or shade canopies are a 10a structure (the same as a shed or patio roof) and if over 10m2 or attached to the dwelling (house) or over a medium height of 2.1m a building approval will be required. You only need to trigger one of these three things and a building approval is required.
Engineering is a fundamental part of shade sails and shade canopies due to the different environments they are installed to and of course the many different designs that are available. Engineering is part of the council approval process if you trigger a building application. Structural design drawings, Form 15, Form 16 and Form 21 are all part of this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need council approval for a shade sail structure?
- The simple answer is YES YOU DO- if you want to protect your investment.
- The state building code say’s that; shade sails or shade canopies are a 10a structure (the same as a shed or patio roof) and if over 10m2 or attached to the dwelling (house) or over a medium height of 2.1m a building approval will be required. You only need to trigger one of these three things and a building approval is required. Toowoomba Shade and Canvas can arrange this on your behalf.
Do I need an engineer for shade sail installation?
- Engineering is a fundamental part of shade sails and shade canopies due to the different environments they are installed to and of course the many different designs that are available.
- Engineering is part of the council approval process if you trigger a building application. Structural design drawings, Form 15, Form 16 and Form 21 are all part of this process. Toowoomba Shade and Canvas can do all this for you or you may like to do it yourself.
How close to the boundary can I install a shade sail?
- Normally the rule is 6 meters from the front boundary and 1.5 meters from the side and rear boundaries. There is provision in the law to allow for shade sails and shade canopies to be installed closer, however this is a separate application to council and must be done prior to making a building application and is not guaranteed.
- Important: An installer of shade sails and canopies that require structural design MUST hold a Q.B.S.A. builders license. It is important that you check this or it could cost you more in the long run.
Can I attach a shade sail to my house?
- Yes you can attach a shade sail to your dwelling (house) if structurally the dwelling (house) is safe to do so, most engineers do not like doing this so it can be hard to find an engineer who is willing to do so.
- An insurance policy must be taken out with Q.B.S.A. (Queensland Building Services Authority) to protect you during construction. These policies are affordable.
What colour do shade sails come in?
- There’s a huge range of colours and fabric’s to choose from these days, from the standard green most of us know to vibrant oranges, pinks and even chocolate. There is a colour to suit most applications and décor’s.
