Shade Ports for the Garden Route
Shade ports protect vehicles, boats, caravans, and outdoor assets from UV, heat, and hail damage.
At Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings™ we design, manufacture, and install shade net structures
across the Garden Route — from single-bay residential covers to multi-bay commercial installations.
Last updated: February 2026
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Shade Net Ports ·
Commercial ·
Carports
- Shade net shadeports: tensioned HDPE cloth on galvanised steel — 80–100% UV block, ideal for vehicles and patios.
- shade net structures: architectural tensile fabric stretched between anchor points — modern look for entertainment areas.
- Carports: solid polycarbonate or IBR roofing for full rain and hail protection.
- How it works: free site assessment, structural engineering for your soil type and wind exposure, then manufacture and install.
- Not an online product: shadeports are custom-built and quoted per site.
Multi-bay shade net installation, Garden Route
Shade Net Shadeports
The Garden Route standard for vehicle and asset protection.
Shade net shadeports use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cloth tensioned over a galvanised steel frame. They block 80–100% of UV radiation while allowing airflow, which prevents the heat buildup you get under solid roofing. This is why they’re the most popular choice for residential driveways across Knysna, George, and Plettenberg Bay.
We custom-build every frame to your site dimensions. Single-bay (one vehicle), double-bay, and extended structures for boats, caravans, or multiple cars. The steel is hot-dip galvanised for salt-air resistance — critical on the Garden Route coast.
Why ours work on the Garden Route:
- Hot-dip galvanised steel frames resist salt corrosion
- HDPE shade cloth (80% or 100%) rated for coastal UV exposure
- Engineered for south-easterly wind and berg wind gusts
- Foundation design matched to your soil type
- Fabric replacement service when cloth reaches end of life (5–8 years)
Professional installation. Full structural assessment before we quote.
WhatsApp Duncan a photo of your space
Read the Garden Route shadeport comparison → ·
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shade net structures structure, Knysna
Commercial Shadeports
Multi-bay structures for business, retail, and institutional parking.
Shopping centres, office parks, schools, hospitals, and retirement complexes need shadeport systems that cover dozens of bays while meeting structural engineering requirements. We design and install multi-bay shade net and shade net structures systems across the Garden Route for commercial clients.
Commercial projects include full engineering sign-off, compliance with local building regulations, and project-managed installation to minimise disruption to your business.
Recent commercial projects: retirement estates (Knysna), shopping centres (George), body corporates (Plettenberg Bay).
Why We Build Shade Net, Not Solid Carports
Custom Blinds manufactures shade net shadeports — not solid carports, polycarbonate structures, or IBR roofing.
People often ask about solid carports for full rain protection. On the Garden Route, solid roofing creates more problems than it solves. Wind catches solid panels and creates uplift — a structural risk during berg wind events and south-easterlies. Heat gets trapped underneath instead of passing through. The engineering and foundation requirements push costs significantly higher.
Shade net lets wind pass through, keeps vehicles cooler, blocks 80–95% of UV, and costs a fraction of a solid structure. For most residential and commercial applications on the Garden Route, shade net is the smarter, safer, more cost-effective choice.
If you specifically need waterproof cover (for example, protecting a classic car from rain), we can advise on the best approach for your site — but our recommendation will almost always start with shade net.
Why Choose Custom Blinds® for Your Garden Route Shadeport?
- We manufacture: our shadeports are built in-house, not outsourced to a subcontractor.
- Structural assessment: every installation starts with a free site visit and soil/wind assessment.
- Coastal engineering: hot-dip galvanised steel, UV-stabilised cloth, and foundations designed for Garden Route conditions.
- Single point of contact: Duncan manages your project from quote to completion.
- Aftercare: fabric replacement service when your shade cloth reaches end of life.
Shadeport Types Compared
| Type | Best for | UV block | Rain/hail | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shade net | Vehicles, boats, general assets | 80–100% | Reduces hail impact, not waterproof | Most affordable |
| shade net structures | Entertainment, pools, driveways | 85–95% | Water-resistant, not waterproof | Mid-range |
| Solid Carport (not CB) | Full weather protection, classic cars | 100% | Full rain and hail protection | Premium |
Understanding Shade Cloth Density
Shade cloth comes in density percentages — the higher the number, the more UV and heat it blocks. Choosing the right density depends on what you’re protecting and how much airflow you need.
All shade cloth we supply is UV-stabilised HDPE rated for South African coastal conditions. Fabric colour affects heat absorption — lighter colours reflect more heat. Duncan will recommend the right density and colour during your site visit.
How Your Shadeport Gets Built
No deposits until site visit is complete. Full structural assessment included in every quote.
Lifespan, Maintenance & Aftercare
Fabric replacement service: when your shade cloth reaches end of life, we remove the old cloth and fit a new one on your existing frame — typically at a fraction of the original installation cost. No need to replace the entire structure.
Talk to us about your shadeport project
Tell us what you need covered — vehicles, boats, entertainment area — and Duncan will get back to you within 24 hours with options and ballpark pricing.
WhatsApp Duncan your requirements
Or call 079 523 5407 · Contact form · Shop online
Shade Ports by Location
Local shade port pages with area-specific engineering, wind ratings, and installation details.
Shade Ports Knysna
Vehicle & patio shade for Knysna
Shade Ports Plettenberg Bay
Engineered shade structures for Plett
Shade Ports George
Shade ports for George & surrounds
Shade Port Guides
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All Outdoor Products
Awnings, outdoor blinds, shade net structures
Automation
Somfy & MotionBlinds motorisation
Complete Your Outdoor Setup
Most Garden Route properties need more than one type of outdoor cover. Shadeports protect the driveway — but what about the patio, stoep, and windows?
- Awnings: retractable or fixed awnings for patios, stoeps, and restaurant seating.
- Outdoor blinds: PVC or mesh blinds for wind, rain, and privacy on covered patios.
- Screens: fly screens and security screens for open windows and doors.
- Security: aluminium security shutters and LockLatch for holiday homes.
- Shutters: PVC indoor shutters and aluminium security shutters for coastal homes.
- Weather protection: combine a shadeport with outdoor blinds and awnings for complete property coverage.
- shade net structures: architectural tensile fabric for pools, entertainment areas, and modern driveways.
Shadeports by Location
Shadeports Plettenberg Bay — engineered for Plett’s salt air and south-easterly wind. Robberg, The Crags, Keurbooms, and surrounds.
Shadeports Knysna — designed for lagoon salt air, forest humidity, and wind funnelling through The Heads. Thesen Islands, Leisure Isle, and retirement estates.
Shadeports George — built for berg wind gusts, valley heat, and summer storms. Heatherlands, Herolds Bay, Wilderness, and surrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shadeports
What is the difference between a shade port and a carport?
A shade port uses tensioned shade cloth on a steel frame to filter UV and reduce heat. A carport uses solid sheeting (IBR or polycarbonate) for full rain and hail protection. Shade ports are more affordable and suit areas where sun protection is the priority.
How long does shade port fabric last?
Quality HDPE shade cloth typically lasts 5 to 8 years depending on UV exposure and coastal conditions. The galvanised steel frame lasts much longer. We offer replacement covering services when the fabric reaches end of life.
Can a shade port protect against hail?
Shade cloth reduces hail impact but does not provide full hail protection. For hail-prone areas, 100% shade cloth provides the best protection available in a shade net structure. Custom Blinds does not install solid carports.
Do you install shade ports across the Garden Route?
Yes. We install across Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness, and Buffalo Bay. Free on-site measurement and consultation throughout the Garden Route.
What size shade port do I need?
Single vehicle: typically 3m × 6m. Double: usually 6m × 6m. We custom-build to your exact dimensions, accounting for vehicle size, boat or caravan storage, and site-specific requirements.
How are shadeports anchored?
Posts are set in concrete foundations. Foundation depth and width depend on your soil type and local wind conditions — we assess this during the free site visit.
Do you build shadeports for body corporates and estates?
Yes. We work with body corporates, estate managers, and developers across the Garden Route. Multi-bay installations include full engineering sign-off and compliance with local building regulations.
What shade cloth percentage should I choose?
For most Garden Route residential use, 90% density is ideal — it blocks most UV while maintaining airflow. For boats, classic cars, or full weather protection, 100% provides total block with no airflow. Duncan will recommend based on your site assessment.
Do shadeports add value to a property?
Yes. Covered parking is consistently listed as a desirable feature by Garden Route estate agents. A well-built shadeport protects vehicles, improves kerb appeal, and is a selling point for holiday rentals and permanent homes.
Can I get a shade port and shade net structures combined?
Absolutely. Many Garden Route properties use a shade net structure over the driveway and a shade net structures over the pool or entertainment area. We design both to work together visually and structurally.
