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Coolshade is a commercial-grade knitted shade cloth made by Ricky Richards for shade sails and other tensioned shade structures. The manufacturer states that the fabric uses UV-stabilised high-density polyethylene (HDPE) monofilament and tape yarns, blocks up to 97% of UVR across its colour range, and carries a 12-year UV-degradation warranty. Those figures are manufacturer claims, not independent test results. Before specifying it, confirm the exact width, colour, warranty conditions, fabrication method and structural design for your site.
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What Coolshade shade cloth is
Coolshade is a knitted, commercial-grade fabric sold for conversion into shade sails, canopies and related shade structures. Ricky Richards describes the construction as UV-stabilised HDPE monofilament combined with tape yarns. The knitted format is intended to provide a flexible fabric that can be cut and fabricated into tensioned panels rather than used as a rigid roofing sheet.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsArchitecture & Design lists a fabric weight of 325 grams per square metre (gsm). Its product listing was last updated on 15 June 2026. The manufacturer’s 2026 brochure lists 300-centimetre and 380-centimetre widths, while the Architecture & Design listing also shows 370 centimetres. Because those published dimensions do not match, treat width as a specification to verify with Ricky Richards or your fabricator before ordering.
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Heat-setting is described as a thermal process that reduces shrinkage after installation and makes fabrication easier. Architecture & Design also says the knitted fabric resists tearing and fraying when cut and maintains consistent tension under stress. These are product-page claims; the available material does not provide independent comparative testing.
How much UV protection does Coolshade provide?
Ricky Richards states: “Up to 97% UVR block across the Coolshade range of colours.” The words up to matter: the figure is a maximum stated performance claim, not a guarantee that every colour, installation or site condition blocks exactly 97% of ultraviolet radiation.
The reviewed product information does not name the test standard, laboratory, test specimen, ageing protocol or measurement method behind the percentage. It also does not establish that fabric alone makes an area completely safe from sun exposure. UV exposure at a project depends on panel geometry, orientation, gaps, edge conditions, reflected light and the way people use the shaded space.
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For a school, playground, pool, workplace or public facility, ask for the test documentation and the performance criterion required by your brief. Confirm whether the stated result concerns total ultraviolet radiation, a particular wavelength range or a specific fabric colour. Keep the shade structure, anchorage, drainage and user-safety assessment separate from the fabric specification.
Warranty and durability claims
The 2026 Ricky Richards brochure says Coolshade is supported by a “full 12-year UV degradation warranty across the range.” This is a warranty against UV-related degradation as defined by the manufacturer, not a promise that a completed shade structure will remain intact for twelve years under every condition.
The available product material does not state warranty exclusions, installation requirements, acceptable cleaning methods, inspection obligations, geographic limits or the process for making a claim. Obtain the current written warranty before committing to a project and check whether it applies to fabric supplied alone or to the fabricated and installed structure as well.
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Ricky Richards also describes Coolshade as mould- and mildew-resistant and 100% recyclable. No test report or local end-of-life recycling route is identified in the available sources. Resistance to biological growth does not remove the need to manage standing water, dirt, nearby vegetation and inadequate ventilation, all of which can affect a shade installation.
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Coolshade colours and available widths
The manufacturer’s 2026 brochure lists thirteen colours. Six are shown in both 300 cm and 380 cm widths; the remaining colours are shown at 380 cm only. Architecture & Design lists an additional 370 cm width, so confirm current stock and roll dimensions rather than assuming every colour is available in every width.
| Colour | Width shown in the 2026 Ricky Richards brochure |
|---|---|
| Black | 300 cm and 380 cm |
| Dark Charcoal | 300 cm and 380 cm |
| Slate | 300 cm and 380 cm |
| Silver | 380 cm |
| Dark Green | 300 cm and 380 cm |
| Maize | 380 cm |
| Midnight | 300 cm and 380 cm |
| Aqua Blue | 300 cm and 380 cm |
| Red | 380 cm |
| Manor Red | 380 cm |
| Sand | 380 cm |
| Cappuccino | 380 cm |
| Ivory | 380 cm |
The 370 cm dimension appears in the Architecture & Design listing but not in the retrieved manufacturer brochure. It may reflect a different listing, an earlier range or a measurement convention. Ask for a current technical sheet and confirm whether the quoted width is nominal, finished or usable after fabrication and edge treatment.
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Where Coolshade is intended to be used
Ricky Richards identifies schools and daycare centres, parks and playgrounds, car parks, and most shade sails and shade structures as typical applications. Architecture & Design additionally lists residential driveways, pool areas and patios, plus commercial environments such as shopping centres, retail areas and sporting grounds.
Residential projects
For a patio, pool or driveway, select colour and panel layout with the surrounding building materials in mind. Dark colours can create a strong architectural contrast; lighter colours may suit a softer residential palette. The fabric choice does not replace engineering of posts, footings, cable paths, drainage and wind clearances.
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Schools, playgrounds and public areas
Public projects usually need documented UV performance, a maintenance plan, child-safe detailing and a structure designed for local wind and weather conditions. Confirm the required compliance pathway with the project certifier and authority. Do not treat the manufacturer’s UV percentage as a complete playground-safety assessment.
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Commercial sites and car parks
Large spans and repeated daily loading make fabric width, seam layout, edge reinforcement and anchorage especially important. Coordinate the roll-width decision with the fabricator early: a nominally wider roll may reduce seams, but only if the required panel geometry and handling method allow it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to specify Coolshade for a project
- Define the exposure and use. Record site location, orientation, expected occupancy, operating hours, nearby reflective surfaces and whether the shade covers people, vehicles, equipment or a pool.
- Set the performance requirement. State the required UVR-blocking evidence, acceptable test standard and any project-specific compliance criteria. Request the source document for the “up to 97%” claim.
- Choose the geometry before the colour. Have the designer or fabricator establish panel shapes, corner loads, seam positions, edge details, clearances and drainage. Fabric width should be checked against the actual pattern, not selected from a colour chart alone.
- Confirm the commercial specification. Verify 325 gsm, available widths, colour availability, roll length, lead time and whether the quoted material is current production stock.
- Obtain the written warranty. Ask for the 12-year UV-degradation warranty, its exclusions, required installation conditions, care obligations and claim procedure.
- Review fabrication and installation. Confirm that the proposed installer has the equipment and experience for knitted HDPE shade cloth, including cutting, edge finishing, seams, tensioning and safe access.
- Document handover information. Keep the fabric identification, batch or invoice details, drawings, maintenance instructions, inspection dates and warranty documents with the facility record.
What to check before approving a sample
- Colour in actual light: view samples outdoors because colour, glare and perceived openness change with sun angle.
- Width and orientation: check the available roll width against the cutting pattern and seam direction.
- Edge detailing: verify the proposed webbing, cable, rope or other edge system with the fabricator’s engineering method.
- Drainage: ensure the design does not create pockets where water or debris can collect.
- Wind and structure: have posts, footings, connectors and foundations designed for the site’s governing loads.
- Access for inspection: plan how staff can identify abrasion, loose fittings, contamination, overstress or fabric damage.
- End of life: ask who will accept the used fabric locally; “100% recyclable” does not identify a collection service in your area.
Care, inspection and likely failure points
The available specifications do not prescribe a cleaning schedule or approved chemicals, so obtain those instructions from Ricky Richards or the installer. In practice, a facilities plan should record periodic visual checks for dirt accumulation, mould-like growth, cuts, pulled stitches, frayed edges, abrasion against posts, loose hardware and changes in tension.
Investigate the cause of a problem before carrying out a patch or re-tension. Fabric damage can result from sharp contact, incorrect tension, nearby branches, storm loading or hardware movement. A repair that hides the symptom without correcting the load path may shorten service life and could affect warranty eligibility.
How Coolshade compares with other shade-cloth options
No independent product-to-product comparison is established by the available sources. For a fair tender or design review, compare every candidate on the same practical criteria:
| Decision criterion | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| UV performance | What percentage is stated, for which colour, using which test standard and laboratory? |
| Warranty | How long is coverage, what degradation threshold applies, and what exclusions or installation conditions govern it? |
| Construction | Is the cloth knitted or woven, what polymer and yarn types are used, and what is the mass per square metre? |
| Dimensions | Which widths and roll lengths are available now, and are dimensions nominal or finished? |
| Fabrication | Can local fabricators cut, seam, edge and tension it using the proposed design? |
| Environmental claims | Is recyclability supported by a documented local return or recycling pathway? |
| Project fit | Does the system suit the span, wind exposure, drainage, access and required approvals? |
Questions to send to Ricky Richards or your fabricator
- Which Coolshade widths and colours are currently available for this project?
- Why does the Architecture & Design listing show 370 cm while the 2026 brochure shows 300 cm and 380 cm?
- What test method and laboratory support the “up to 97% UVR block” statement?
- Can you provide the complete 12-year UV-degradation warranty and exclusions?
- What cleaning products, inspection intervals and repair methods are approved?
- Does the warranty cover fabric only, or the fabricated panel and installation as well?
- What local option exists for recycling removed Coolshade fabric?
- Which fabrication details are recommended for the proposed span, edge loads and site conditions?
Is Coolshade suitable for a shade sail?
It is expressly marketed for most shade sails and shade structures, so it is a plausible material choice when its verified width, colour, performance evidence and warranty match the project brief. Suitability cannot be decided from the fabric name alone. The final result depends on the pattern, seams, edge reinforcement, tensioning, supporting structure, wind design, installation quality and maintenance regime.
Specify Coolshade when the project team can document those items and obtain the current technical and warranty information. If a supplier cannot resolve the width discrepancy or provide the evidence required by your brief, pause the order and seek clarification rather than treating a catalogue percentage or colour list as a complete design approval.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
