It’s official: The World Meteorological Organization has confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year on record, not only in the United States but around the globe. No wonder the shade sail market, valued at $1.84 billion just two years ago, is estimated to have a compound annual growth rate of 6.6% between now and 2032 — with most of that growth happening in North America.
When you consider the number of homeowners opting for backyard staycations over expensive vacations, along with the increasing demand for outdoor living products, shade is bound to become an even hotter commodity. After all, what’s better than a cool-looking product that protects against sun and UV exposure?
Enter Mod Shade Kits, part of the Shade Escapes by Tara line. Designed to protect not only pool owners but also their outdoor furniture, these custom-designed sunshade fabrics provide durability and aesthetic appeal in a ready-to-install package that makes them an ideal addition to a pool professional’s suite of offerings. They can even be positioned over pools to provide shade and cool water temperatures.
“For our partners, the Mod Shade Kits represent more than just a product; they’re a smart new revenue stream,” says Katie Venckus, Tara’s director of marketing and product development. “They allow you to enhance your current offerings without adding complexity or overhead.”
Those partners include swimming pool and spa dealers, service providers, and builders.
Mod Shades also can be installed in parks and sports complexes, outside restaurants and bars, and at apartment complexes and hotels just as easily as they can in backyards. While a pergola or patio cover project might take a three-person crew two days to construct, a Mod Shade can be set up by two people in less than two hours.
“What I love most about the Mod Shade Kits is their versatility,” Venckus says. “Whether it’s a poolside lounge, an outdoor dining area or a community green space, these kits adapt beautifully to shade just about anywhere.”
Demand for Mod Shades is so strong that Venckus says consumers are calling Tara directly to inquire about the product. It’s literally selling itself — and all it needs is a pool pro to show up and supply the anchoring bolts.
‘Designed with simplicity in mind’
Perhaps best known for its vinyl swimming pool liners, Tara launched Shade Escapes in 2023 as a solution to the accelerating need for versatile, high-quality shade options. Many pool owners, according to Venckus, were relying on bulky umbrellas or poorly constructed permanent structures that didn’t last. They often didn’t look all that appealing, either.
The Shade Escapes line expanded in 2024 with the addition of Mod Shades, which come in ready-to-install, all-in-one kits that include the commercial-grade shade sail (available in 17 colors, including eight flame-retardant options), poles (manufactured in Italy and available in three colors) and all hanging hardware. They can even be shipped directly to homeowners, further easing the process for installers.
The shades are built to withstand strong winds but also are easy to remove during severe storms, and they are designed in a Hypar shape for optimal coverage. This is achieved by using alternate high and low fixing points to give the shade sail a twist, which increases tension in the shade, reduces wind-flapping and improves longevity.
Standard models of Mod Shades come with a 9-foot elliptical steel pole and provide up to 282 square feet of shade, while Pro models come with a 9.5-foot anodized aluminum pole and provide as much as 360 square feet of shade. A slider on the Pro pole can raise and lower the shade, adjusting its height.
The key to a successful installation, according to outdoor living specialists who’ve installed Mod Shades, is strong concrete anchors sealed with anchor epoxy. While those supplies are not included with each Mod Shades Kit, they are simple to incorporate and help ensure protection against nasty weather.
“Our Mod Shade Kits were designed with simplicity in mind,” Venckus says, noting that the shade industry is growing faster than the pool industry. “You don’t need a construction crew or a week of downtime — just a few basic tools and you’re good to go. It’s the easiest upgrade you’ll make this year.”
Indeed, shade is a smooth upsell for pool professionals. Mod Shades not only offer a new revenue stream, but they also provide opportunities to enhance personalized service.
“Service techs are in customers’ backyards all the time, so they know when and where sun can be an issue,” Venckus says. “That’s the perfect opportunity to pitch a shade kit and show pool owners you’re concerned about their safety and comfort.”
After all, skin cancer — typically caused by long-term exposure to the sun — is the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Plus, Mod Shades lower temperatures by up to 25 degrees Fahrenheit while also blocking harmful UV rays.
Tara’s tagline, “Time for a Tara,” says it all: The combination of advancements in fabric and design technology with unprecedented consumer demand for high-end shade make now the ideal time to step into shade. What’s more, Tara recently lowered wholesale prices on its Mod Shade Kits, and the manufacturer also sponsors a shade school and offers onsite training for new installers.
Venckus sums up the opportunities that Mod Shade Kits provide: “The beauty lies in their simplicity, profitability and flexibility. They’re easy to install, create a whole new revenue opportunity and can be adapted to shade almost any outdoor space — from backyards to commercial patios.”