Which shade cloth provides the best shadow for the dog in the car – Aluminet 70%, Aluminet 80% or maybe 85%? Is there a difference in structure?Read on to find the best match for your needs.
The Aluminet shade cloth is not a new product on the market. This material was originally developed to provide shadow for plants and to protect them from burn caused by direct sunlight. Today this product is very popular in particular in dog sports – we all try to find the perfect solution for the recovery of our dogs between the runs during hot summer days. However, there are already so many different shade cloths made of aluminet on the market, which one is the best option?
Coated Aluminet 85% Shade
Knitted Aluminet 70% Shade
What does the % in the title stand for?
Title of each aluminet shade cloth includes a number and percentage information. This value defines, how much of the direct sunlight does the aluminet shade cloth reflect. Logically, the higher the percentage, the bigger amount of sunlight the aluminet reflects & provides for better shadow. Should you aim to get a 95% aluminet shade net? Not necessarily!
The higher the percentage, the “thicker” the structure gets. A 90% Aluminet Shade Cloth gets pretty heavy making it almost impossible to use it for a tent (might collapse under a size of 6 x 4 m). When placed on the car, it might create a pretty dark environment as it reflects most of the sun light. What is the perfect ratio, you ask? From our experience using different percentages of Aluminet shades of the year, it is shades made of 85% Aluminet with knitted structure. Not too heavy, not too dark, high reflection of sun light & great air flow.
Structure is the key!
Our Pup Sun Shade equals to a woven fabric. You can place it on your car or tent regardless which side is facing up – both sides reflect sunlight equally. This type of aluminet provides for better airflow – the structure is similar to a net.
Caution! Not all aluminet shades have knitted structure! They do reflect sunlight; however, their structure enables only limited or no air circulation at all. This is often the case of aluminet available in random hardware stores. You need to consider this especially if you want to use the aluminet to create shadow in your vehicle, where airflow is crucial!
Coated Aluminet shades do NOT have knitted structure. Only one side of the shade cloth is coated with the material reflecting sunlight. It does not feel like a textile fabric, it is less flexible, more plastic-like, but makes a more durable impression. The structure does not remind of a net – the „empty“ rows to enable airflow are placed in a regular distance. In comparison to knitted aluminet it provides worse airflow.
Aluminet 85%: 1 row for airflow inserted after 1 row of reflective material
Aluminet 85%: 1 row for airflow inserted after 2 rows of reflective material
Aluminet 85%: 1 row for airflow inserted after 3 rows of reflective material
Aluminet 85%: 1 row for airflow inserted after 4 rows of reflective material
Aluminet 85%: non-reflective side of the shade cloth
Aluminet 70%: knitted structure enabling full airflow
Size matters!
During hot weather the car is heating up primary through the glass surfaces. Even if you open all the windows, it is not sufficient to cover only the back of your car with aluminet. The interior will heat up through the windshield. Therefore, choose a size that covers all glass surfaces incl. the windshield. If you keep your trunk open, consider getting a size that will cover even the open back door of your trunk. For common sedan and combi cars, usually the size 4 x 3 m is sufficient. Larger size of at least 4 x 6 m or a combination of 2 smaller sizes is suitable for SUVs & vans.
Does Aluminet scratch my car?
We have been selling aluminet shade cloths for over 6 years now. We have not experienced that aluminet itself would cause scratches to your vehicle. On dark colours, „micro scratches“ might be visible after a certain period of time, however these are removed after polishing. The only thing that might scratch your car are the metal eyelets located on the sides of the cloth rim.
Therefor, our Pup SunShade has a metal-free edging. The edge of the net includes a solid band without eyelets – prevents scratching if you want to use this mostly on your car. Attachment loops are sewn all around at regular intervals of 1 meter.
How to attach the shade cloth to your car?
You can use rubber or standard bands to attach the shade cloth to the rear mirror or wheels of your car or any other subject. More quicker and convenient way to attach the shade to your car or camper is using magnets. Make sure to use magnets that are strong enough to hold the shade event during windy weather, but you can still easily reposition or remove them. From our experience, magnets with adhesive force around 30 kg work the best. We offer the magnetic hooks in our shop including rubber caps to protect your car from scratches. Use 4 – 6 pieces for a small car or 6 – 10 pieces for a van.
From our experience using different Aluminet shades over the years, ideal is shades made of 85% Aluminet with knitted structure. Not too heavy, not too dark, high reflection of sun light & great air flow.
Regardless of what type you decide to use, it is definitely worth the money, we do not recommend trying various „fake“ aluminet shades. Often, these “want-to-be-aluminet” shades do not provide any air circulation, which is crucial especially when using it for your car. In an open space you would end up using several layers of the material to achieve the same reflection effect.
If you use the net to shade vehicles with animals, keep in mind to keep all windows open. The net creates shade and partially reduces the temperature in the vehicle, however if the air temperature in the shade rises above the animal’s comfortable level, the animal is still at risk of overheating. Always provide ventilation and drinking water and do not leave animals unattended for long periods of time.
Which Aluminet shade cloth provides the best shadow?
Which shade cloth provides the best shadow for the dog in the car – Aluminet 70%, Aluminet 80% or maybe 85%? Is there a difference in structure?Read on to find the best match for your needs.
The Aluminet shade cloth is not a new product on the market. This material was originally developed to provide shadow for plants and to protect them from burn caused by direct sunlight. Today this product is very popular in particular in dog sports – we all try to find the perfect solution for the recovery of our dogs between the runs during hot summer days. However, there are already so many different shade cloths made of aluminet on the market, which one is the best option?
Coated Aluminet 85% Shade
Knitted Aluminet 70% Shade
What does the % in the title stand for?
Title of each aluminet shade cloth includes a number and percentage information. This value defines, how much of the direct sunlight does the aluminet shade cloth reflect. Logically, the higher the percentage, the bigger amount of sunlight the aluminet reflects & provides for better shadow. Should you aim to get a 95% aluminet shade net? Not necessarily!
The higher the percentage, the “thicker” the structure gets. A 90% Aluminet Shade Cloth gets pretty heavy making it almost impossible to use it for a tent (might collapse under a size of 6 x 4 m). When placed on the car, it might create a pretty dark environment as it reflects most of the sun light.
What is the perfect ratio, you ask? From our experience using different percentages of Aluminet shades of the year, it is shades made of 85% Aluminet with knitted structure. Not too heavy, not too dark, high reflection of sun light & great air flow.
Structure is the key!
Our Pup Sun Shade equals to a woven fabric. You can place it on your car or tent regardless which side is facing up – both sides reflect sunlight equally. This type of aluminet provides for better airflow – the structure is similar to a net.
Caution! Not all aluminet shades have knitted structure! They do reflect sunlight; however, their structure enables only limited or no air circulation at all. This is often the case of aluminet available in random hardware stores. You need to consider this especially if you want to use the aluminet to create shadow in your vehicle, where airflow is crucial!
Coated Aluminet shades do NOT have knitted structure. Only one side of the shade cloth is coated with the material reflecting sunlight. It does not feel like a textile fabric, it is less flexible, more plastic-like, but makes a more durable impression. The structure does not remind of a net – the „empty“ rows to enable airflow are placed in a regular distance. In comparison to knitted aluminet it provides worse airflow.
Aluminet 85%: 1 row for airflow inserted after 1 row of reflective material
Aluminet 85%: 1 row for airflow inserted after 2 rows of reflective material
Aluminet 85%: 1 row for airflow inserted after 3 rows of reflective material
Aluminet 85%: 1 row for airflow inserted after 4 rows of reflective material
Aluminet 85%: non-reflective side of the shade cloth
Aluminet 70%: knitted structure enabling full airflow
Size matters!
During hot weather the car is heating up primary through the glass surfaces. Even if you open all the windows, it is not sufficient to cover only the back of your car with aluminet. The interior will heat up through the windshield. Therefore, choose a size that covers all glass surfaces incl. the windshield. If you keep your trunk open, consider getting a size that will cover even the open back door of your trunk. For common sedan and combi cars, usually the size 4 x 3 m is sufficient. Larger size of at least 4 x 6 m or a combination of 2 smaller sizes is suitable for SUVs & vans.
Does Aluminet scratch my car?
We have been selling aluminet shade cloths for over 6 years now. We have not experienced that aluminet itself would cause scratches to your vehicle. On dark colours, „micro scratches“ might be visible after a certain period of time, however these are removed after polishing. The only thing that might scratch your car are the metal eyelets located on the sides of the cloth rim.
Therefor, our Pup SunShade has a metal-free edging. The edge of the net includes a solid band without eyelets – prevents scratching if you want to use this mostly on your car. Attachment loops are sewn all around at regular intervals of 1 meter.
How to attach the shade cloth to your car?
You can use rubber or standard bands to attach the shade cloth to the rear mirror or wheels of your car or any other subject. More quicker and convenient way to attach the shade to your car or camper is using magnets. Make sure to use magnets that are strong enough to hold the shade event during windy weather, but you can still easily reposition or remove them. From our experience, magnets with adhesive force around 30 kg work the best. We offer the magnetic hooks in our shop including rubber caps to protect your car from scratches. Use 4 – 6 pieces for a small car or 6 – 10 pieces for a van.
Magnet hook with rubber cap
€ 5,90
Pup SunShade
€ 100,00 – € 160,00
Which one to choose?
From our experience using different Aluminet shades over the years, ideal is shades made of 85% Aluminet with knitted structure. Not too heavy, not too dark, high reflection of sun light & great air flow.
Regardless of what type you decide to use, it is definitely worth the money, we do not recommend trying various „fake“ aluminet shades. Often, these “want-to-be-aluminet” shades do not provide any air circulation, which is crucial especially when using it for your car. In an open space you would end up using several layers of the material to achieve the same reflection effect.
If you use the net to shade vehicles with animals, keep in mind to keep all windows open. The net creates shade and partially reduces the temperature in the vehicle, however if the air temperature in the shade rises above the animal’s comfortable level, the animal is still at risk of overheating. Always provide ventilation and drinking water and do not leave animals unattended for long periods of time.
Martina