Shade Net Guide: Choosing Shade Net for a Pretoria Carport
Shade net is knitted, UV-stabilised high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sold by the share of sunlight it blocks, from about 40 percent for gardens to 95 percent for carports. Choose 95 percent for parking, 80 percent for patios and a PVC-coated membrane when the bay must stay dry. This guide covers the grades, colours and Highveld conditions behind a shadeport from Shadeports Pretoria.
Shade Net Percentages Compared
| Shade factor | Light through | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 40% | About 60% | Vegetable gardens, nurseries |
| 60% | About 40% | Greenhouses, plant shelters |
| 80% | About 20% | Patios, pool sails |
| 90% | About 10% | Shade sails, play areas |
| 95% | About 5% | Carports and shadeports |
An 80 percent net passes four times as much light as a 95 percent net, which is why the denser knit is the parking standard.
Why 95% Shade Net Suits Pretoria
Pretoria sits about 1,339 metres above sea level, and UV rises by roughly 10 to 12 percent per 1,000 metres of altitude. A 95 percent net blocks most of that UV before it reaches paint, trim and dashboards. The knit still breathes, so heat rises through it instead of building up under the cover. The knit does not unravel when it is cut or holed, so hail or branch damage stays local.
Shade Net Brands and Grades
South African carport net comes from local manufacturers such as Alnet and Knittex, the Johannesburg-based maker of knitted shade net, as well as importers. Carport grades are UV-stabilised knitted HDPE. Compare the shade factor, the UV warranty printed by the manufacturer and the colour range, not only the price per metre.
Shade Net Colours
Stocked carport colours include black, charcoal, green and beige, with other colours on order. Darker net hides dust and jacaranda blossom stains. Lighter net reflects more heat from its top surface and brightens a small yard. Most owners match the net to the roof tiles, the face-brick or the boundary wall.
How Long Shade Net Lasts on the Highveld
Sun, tension and storms decide the life of the net. North-facing bays age fastest. A tight net outlasts a slack one, because slack net flaps in thunderstorm gusts and wears at its fixings. Severe hail can end a net's life in one storm, and a sound frame is then re-netted under shadeport repairs.
Shade Net or Waterproof Membrane?
Shade net is cooler, cheaper and lighter on the frame. A PVC-coated membrane keeps the summer thunderstorm rain off for 15 to 25 percent more. Both are compared under waterproof shadeports, and installed figures sit in the shadeport prices in Pretoria list.
Call 062 397 4233 (Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00) or use the form for a free quote.
Shadeports Pretoria: Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage shade net is best for a carport?
95 percent shade net is best for a carport. It blocks about 95 percent of sunlight and most UV. 80 percent suits patios, and 40 percent is a garden and nursery net.
Is 80 percent shade net enough for cars?
Yes, for basic shade. 80 percent shade net lets about four times as much light through as 95 percent net, so the denser knit protects paint and dashboards better in Pretoria's high-altitude sun.
Who makes shade net in South Africa?
Local manufacturers include Alnet and Knittex, a Johannesburg-based maker of knitted shade net. Both produce UV-stabilised knitted HDPE in carport grades.
Does shade net stop hail?
No, only small hail. Shade net slows and catches small hail, and large hail tears it. Dedicated hail nets are made for crops, while a carport net is chosen for shade first.