Need Shade For Your Playground? Schedule It Now Before Summer
If you need shade for your playground, now is the time to organise it. Summer comes around quickly, and many schools and early learning centres start booking projects months in advance. By planning early, you give yourself the best chance of having your shade in place before the hot weather returns.
New Zealand’s sun is among the harshest in the world. Children are especially vulnerable, and schools have a duty to provide safe, sun-protected spaces. Shade structures reduce exposure to harmful UV rays, help lower outdoor temperatures, and create comfortable areas for learning and play.
Shade Options For Playgrounds And Outdoor Learning Areas
We design and manufacture a wide range of shade solutions for playgrounds, sports areas, and outdoor classrooms. All our shade solutions are made here in New Zealand using high-quality materials that stand up to local conditions.
Shade Sails
Shade sails are a popular choice for schools and early learning centres. They provide reliable protection from UV rays and light rain while allowing airflow to keep spaces cooler. Our shade sails are made with marine-grade stainless steel fixings and powder-coated aluminium or galvanised steel posts. They are designed for high tension, which keeps them secure and looking good for many years.
Each sail is custom-made to fit your space. You can choose from a variety of colours and fabrics, including high UV block-out mesh and waterproof PVC options. For added safety, we can fit pole pads to reduce the risk of injury.
Pole Pads
Pole pads are a simple but important addition to any playground shade structure. They are made from heavy-duty pre-constraint PVDF material, offering strong impact protection in busy areas. Each pad is custom-designed to fit perfectly around the pole, whether it’s round, square, or a unique shape.
By cushioning collisions, pole pads help prevent injuries and make playgrounds safer for everyone. They are weather-resistant, easy to clean, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Custom Shade Structures
Sometimes a standard shade sail is not the best fit for the space. We create custom shade structures that can cover unique or large areas. Options include architectural umbrellas, wave shades, single-post designs, and hyper shades. These structures offer a modern look and can be built to match the style of your grounds.
We use high-performance UV-stabilised fabrics in our custom structures and engineer them to handle strong winds and challenging weather. We design them to create either open, airy spaces or more enclosed areas for extra protection.
Barrel Canopies
Barrel canopies are ideal for covering large areas such as sports courts, big playgrounds, or outdoor seating spaces. Their curved design offers excellent weather protection and can be combined with outdoor blinds for full shelter from wind and rain.
Made from hot-dipped galvanised steel frames with high-quality membranes, our barrel canopies are built to last. We structurally engineer them, provide long warranties, and handle all council consents and approvals.
Why Book Your Shade Solution Now
Organising playground shade takes planning. Site assessments, custom design, manufacturing, and installation all take time. Waiting until late spring often means missing the chance to have your shade ready before the hottest part of the year.
By scheduling now, you secure your place in our installation calendar and ensure your students can enjoy protected, comfortable outdoor spaces this summer.
Talk To Us About Organising Shade For Your Playground
If you need shade for your playground, now is the perfect time to book. Whether you need a simple shade sail, a large barrel canopy, or a fully customised structure, we can design and install a solution that suits your space and budget.
Contact Lidgard Shades today to arrange a free site visit and start planning your project.