Shade Cloth Projects

• Shade cloth can help modify microclimates. Andy Sotiriou/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  Shade cloth projects can help protect humans and property from the sun's burning rays. Certain knitted or woven materials can reduce the sun's harmful UV rays while allowing the needed growing light and circulating air and water. Materials can include polypropylene or a metalized screen. Benefits include less burning and water evaporation. This material can also cool the environment by several degrees. Shade cloth can come in a variety of neutral colors such as tan or green to suit home, garden or industrial applications.

Home and Recreation

• Shade cloth works well as a backyard shade placed over a deck or path. Shade cloth offers sun protection, privacy and visual interest when covering a pergola's overhead cross-beams and open lattice and hanging suspended by the pillars. Other shade cloth projects include additions to gazebos, covered walkways and pools. Shade cloth over playgrounds and backyard play areas can offer children a cooler outdoor environment and some protection from the sun's harmful rays. As a tarp, this fabric can cover tents, trailers and machinery.

Garden and Agriculture

• Greenhouses and nurseries often use shade cloth as canopies, since it is dependable for its durability year-round. Shade cloth can wrap and protect plants such as chrysanthemums and ficus. This material protects plants not only from harmful UV rays but also from wind and hail. Certain materials can act as a landscape fabric to reduce weeds. Durable cloth can also work as a ground cover for soil stabilization. When placed over garden ponds, the netting catches leaves for easier clean-up.

  The netting can also offer a barrier from unwanted animals such as deer, pigeons or swallows. Shade cloth can also protect animals by enclosing or cooling a livestock farm or dog kennel. For the aquaculture industry, shade cloth can lower the air temperature and allow a cooler environment for fish to feed.

Industry

• Shade cloth works well as a windbreak in lumber yards, mills and construction sites. Material supported by construction scaffolding offers a debris net and shade for occupants during renovations. Shade cloth with digitally printed advertisements can offer effective outdoor advertising. For example, a construction company could print its contact information on this flexible fence that provides some on-site sediment control. Shade cloth in parking lots or car ports can provide more shade to cool vehicles parked in the sun.