Ideal for large commercial projects, Architec 400 ® offers maximum weight to strength ratio and UV protection.

Architec 400 ® is a 400gsm High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) fabric with is extremely strong and resistant to tearing. The fabric incorporates the latest in Ultra Violet (UV) stabilizers and comes with a 15  year UV warranty, the best in the industry. These new UV stabilizers also provide improved color consistency and colourfastness.

See more examples of applications of Architec 400®

No flat tape, maximum UV protection

ovalonArchitec 400 ® contains no flat tape. It is made from a combination of monofilament yarn and our proprietary OvalonTM monofilament yarn. OvalonTM provides high strength and minimal stretch in both the Weft and Warp direction of the stitch pattern, maintaining tension. It also offers over 90% UV protection.

With OvalonTM you get the strength of monofilament yarns combined with the UV protection of tape.

Built for high tension

Shadesails using Architec 400® should be well designed and engineered to hold the fabric under the tension it deserves.
The fabric should be supported by using appropriate strength poles and footings as determined by a professional engineer, and made and installed by a qualified contractor in accordance with local building codes.

Easy to work with

Architec 400® is pre-stentered to reduce shrinkage and improve the stability of the fabric. This process improves the workability of the fabric during the fabrication and installation of the shadesails or shade structure.

Available in: 12.5 feet (width) x 55 yards (length) straight rolls (not folded)
Average weight: 12 oz. per square yard

Architec 400® color range


Turquoise
Porcelain
Cappuccino
Aquamarine

Navy Blue
Slate Gray
Orange
Lime

Lemon
Grape
Midnight Green
Black

Architec 400® is made to comply with and exceed AU standard AS4174.1994.

See more information on Architec 400®

Technical SpecificationsWARPWEFT
Breaking Force (per ASTM D-5034)lbs342270
Elongation at Break (per ASTM D-5034)%8796
Tearing Strength (per ASTM D-2261)lbs4138
Mullen Burst (per ASTM D-3786)lbs/inFace593
Ball Burst (per ASTM D-3787)lbfFace450+*

*(Remarks: + Exceeds capacity of tester)

ColorsUVR %Mean UPFShade Factor %SRI
Aquamarine94229131
Black9648961
Cappuccino95258636
Grape901482NA
Lemon95257679
Lime94208756
Midnight Green952892NA
Navy Blue963495NA
Orange94248261
Porcelain90126687
Slate Gray881084NA
Turquoise911385NA

SRI – Solar Reflective Index (per ASTM E 1980) NA – results not available at the time of print.

ARCHITEC 400® (“fabric”) is a unique and innovative Extra Heavy Duty knitted shade cloth designed for architectural shade sails and commercial shade structures.

Limited Warranty

Polyfab USA LLC (“Polyfab”) warrants to the initial purchaser of the fabric that the fabric will not suffer from abnormal deterioration from ultra violet exposure for a period of 15 years from the date of installation. The term abnormal deterioration means deterioration exceeding 10% of the fabric’s original strength for each year over the 15-year warranty period, and does not include normal wear and tear. If the fabric does suffer from abnormal deterioration during the 15-year warranty period, Polyfab will, at its option, either replace the fabric or supply equivalent fabric, or pay to the initial purchaser the cost of replacing the fabric or of acquiring equivalent fabric on the following pro-rata basis:

1-5 years 100% of the original fabric purchase price

6-10 years 50% of the original fabric purchase price

11-15 years 25% of the original fabric purchase price

POLYFAB UNDERTAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE QUALITY OF THE FABRIC EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN. THERE IS NO IMPLIED WARRANTY THAT THE FABRIC SHALL BE MERCHANTABLE. POLYFAB ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY THAT THE FABRIC WILL BE FIT FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE FOR WHICH YOU MAY BE BUYING THE FABRIC, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN. THERE IS NO IMPLIED WARRANTY THAT THE FABRIC SHALL BE FIT FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE NOT RELYING ON POLYFAB’S SKILL OR JUDGMENT TO SELECT OR FURNISH THE FABRIC SUITABLE FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY WHICH EXTENDS BEYOND THAT PROVIDED HEREIN.

Exclusions and Product Disclaimers

  • This limited warranty does not cover, and Polyfab is not liable for, abnormal deterioration of fabric occurring due to any of the following circumstances:
  • Exposure to pollution, chemicals, solvents, cleaning agents or other substances that are harmful to the performance of the fabric.
  • Faulty installation of the fabric or faulty design or manufacture of any structure to which the fabric is attached.
  • Improper storing, handling, bracing, use of the fabric or use contrary to the specifications for the fabric.
  • Color fading. Color fading is normal over time. Fabric colors containing red or yellow pigments have a tendency to fade more than others. Color Fading is not abnormal deterioration or a loss of strength/breakdown and is not covered by this warranty.
  • Minor color variation from fabric samples.
  • Minor visual imperfection due to the manufacturing processes.
  • The negligent act or omission of any person.
  • Misuse, neglect or abuse of the fabric.
  • During installation, the fabric should not be subject to “pre-stressed” loading in excess of 20%.
  • Wind flap and storm damages are major causes of abnormal deterioration and premature breakdown in any quality outdoor fabric. It is therefore critical that the fabric be installed firm and tight and maintained in a firm condition. Fabric that is allowed to flap and cause rubbing and abrasion as a result of excessive and continual wind flap or storm damage on structural poles and support wires is mechanical breakdown and not covered by this warranty.
  • The fabric should be supported by using appropriate strength poles and footings as determined by a professional structural engineer, and fabricated and installed by a qualified contractor in accordance with local building codes.
  • Technical testing information supplied by Polyfab is sourced from third-party testing authorities, and tolerances may vary by as much as 10%.

Limitation of Liability

Polyfab’s obligations and liabilities are expressly and exclusively limited to those set forth herein.

EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR HEREIN, POLYFAB SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS OR OTHER COMMERCIAL LOSSES, INCLUDING CLAIMS BASED ON NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY. IN THE EVENT POLYFAB IS FOUND TO BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR LOSS RELATED TO THE FABRIC, SUCH LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF THE FABRIC.

Claims Procedure

All claims under this limited warranty must be made in writing, within 30 days from the date upon which the defect became known to the initial purchaser, to Polyfab USA LLC, 1601 N. Sepulveda Blvd. #392, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Claims must be supported by a sample of the defective fabric together with proof of purchase, including the date and location of fabric purchase, and photos of the finished installation.

Download the Limited Warranty For Architec 400® (pdf)

Polyfab™ Heavy Duty Shadecloth is an Industrial Textile made from High Density Polyethylene, and combines Ultra Violet (UV) stabilizers and color additives.  Polyfab shadecloth has excellent fade resistance but all outdoor fabrics are subject to gradual fading over time.  Some colors have a tendency to fade more than others.

During the manufacturing process imperfections may occur. These imperfections are cosmetic only, and will not impact or interfere with the performance of the life of the shade fabric or the function for which it has been designed.

Your shade sail canopy or shade structure should be installed firm and tight so as to reduce windflap in the shade fabric. Shade fabric that is loose and sloppy will cause premature failure due to mechanical breakdown. This is not UV breakdown and is not covered by the warranty. The shade sail will require periodic maintenance to ensure that the shadecloth fabric remains tight.

Your shadecloth canopy may become dirty over time. (White shadecloth, especially, can pick up dirt from handling, fabrication and installation if extra care is not taken).  Care should be taken to avoid Chemicals that may contain Bleach, or other industrial Chemicals containing Sulphur and/or Halogens (Chlorine Bromine). These Chemicals may attack the UV stabilizers within the Shadecloth, thus reducing the life of the product and voiding the warranty.

The following list of chemicals that may cause such interactions are only some examples and not exhaustive. Such chemicals may include: pesticides, metals, metal oxides and metal salts, all halogens and chemical compounds containing halogens or sulphur in all their oxidation states.

Care should be taken to avoid exposure to gasoline, kerosene, solvents, oils, etc.

When cleaning the shadecloth, we recommend the use of a mild dish washing liquid with the use of a low pressure water hose and a soft scrubbing brush. We do not recommend the use of high pressure water to blast the fabric clean.

The fabric warranty does not pertain to such damage caused by storms, hailstorm, earthquake, mechanical damage done by birds or other animals, fire, lightning etc. Again this is not an exhaustive list and it is for reference only.  Please refer to our UV Warranty for further information.

If you remove the shade sail over winter, ensure that it is stored away from rodents and other pests, preferably stored in a protective bag. Make sure the fabric is completely dry before putting away to avoid mildew damage.

Download the Shade Sail Care & Maintenance Brochure (pdf)

Find your closest distributor of Architec 400 shade cloth