Specialty Fabrics Review March 2022 - 34

Shade
Structure
Grant
Program
The American Academy of
Dermatology provides grants
of up to $8,000 each to install
shade structures for nonprofit
organizations and educational
institutions that serve children
and teens under the age of
18. Between 20-35 grants are
awarded each year.
Each shade structure
provides protection from
dangerous ultraviolet rays,
while an accompanying sign
educates the public about
how to protect themselves
from the sun. Since its
inception, the program has
awarded approximately
450 shade structure grants
to organizations across
the country. These shade
structures have collectively
provided shade for more than
3.5 million individuals.
For more information,
go to: www.aad.org/public/
public-health/shadestructure-grants.
SOURCE:
American Academy
of Dermatology
adding that those fabrics don't always
permit airflow that can make a space
more comfortable. At Shadeports, the
designers primarily use Extrablock
from Alnet Americas, a tight knit
high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
shade fabric. Rushing says, " It has
good UV protection and airflow
and can be used in lots of different
shade configurations. "
While shade cloth has come a
long way in terms of customization
and quality, there's still room for
improvement, particularly with respect
to frames, structures and attachments,
according to Howe. He points to one
innovator, Terrashade, a Forestville,
Calif., company that's developed a freestanding,
semi-portable shade device
that is pre-engineered to meet building
code requirements without the need
for concrete footings. " The best part
about the design is that it still looks
like a shade sail with dramatic highs
and lows using tension to form the
fabric into a visually appealing shape
that floats above the metal frame, "
Howe says.
There's no question that skin cancer
is a serious problem in the United
States-almost 20 people die from
melanoma every day. Fortunately, it
is also one of the most preventable.
Increased awareness and protection
from UV light from the sun via
well-designed shade, sunscreen and
protective clothing can help curb the
rate and allow people to enjoy the
pleasures and benefits of spending
time outdoors. And the shade industry
is well poised to be a trusted partner
in this effort.
Laurie F. Junker is a freelance writer
based in Minneapolis, Minn.
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The critical point in this elegant design by Shazeebo is the southwest corner where the attachment
point is low, which keeps the sun from hitting the seating area at the hottest time of the day. Once
this starting point was established, according to Shazeebo owner Patrick Howe, the team maximized
the hypar shape by choosing high attachment points on the second floor to create the classic form
with strategically placed high and low points so that the sail is beautiful and effectively blocks the
sun. Photo: Shazeebo.
34 SPECIALTY FABRICS REVIEW / March 2022

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Specialty Fabrics Review March 2022

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