This was my first time using this product for building a shade canopy over my pergola. It worked out great and since this was my first design I will buy this again to build upon my lessons learned. Some of my design for my pergola cover was not supported by the material.

Pros: Worked out great and let in lots of light without all the blazing heat. The roll allowed me to design what I needed to fit over my pergola. It stood up to some pretty heavy winds this summer (Colorado winds). The material worked as expected.

Cons: I had to buy 2 rolls and each roll was a different length by over 1 foot. I used grommets to make connection/tie down points and this caused the material to be cut by the grommets in one place i got a little zealous on the grommet install (Of course this material is not designed for using grommets). Goop fixed the issue though. This material is not hemmed on the ends and the ends are uneven, but they did not fray. The sides are also not hemmed but they are slightly reinforced. After unrolling there is a crease down the middle of each roll that never came out.

Like I mentioned, my install design was not fully supported by this material, which I knew of. It still worked out great though. I will be buying 2 more rolls to improve upon my original design though. This material is not waterproof. My parents commented on how well it looked and worked for what I used it for and commented they should get this material as well to put up a sun shade.

Using Coolaroo Timber Fasteners, I hung Coolaroo Shade Fabric along the back of my pergola to stop the setting sun from blasting my windows. It does the trick! But my pergola is 18 feet wide and I only ordered one 15-foot roll of shade fabric, so there's a 3-foot gap on one side (as can be seen in the attached photos). I anchored the loose bottom corner of the shade fabric to a wood post by using a dog leash. I slipped the dog leash clasp between the weave of the shade fabric and tied the end of the leash to the wood post and hammered a nail into it so it wouldn't move up or down. The shade fabric hasn't torn where the clasp is puncturing it, even though there have been some windy days where there was a lot of tension on it. Of course I should have installed a grommet, but I didn't have one.

For my second project, I used black Coolaroo Medium Shade Fabric and Scotch Permanent Outdoor Mounting Tape to try to prevent passersby from being able to see into my home through my security screen door. See the accompanying photos of the shade fabric taped to the inside of my security screen door. The first photo shows the view from the inside looking outside. The second photo shows the view from the outside, standing in front of the screen door. The third photo shows the view from the outside, standing at an angle where you can still see my sliding glass patio door leading to the backyard. I think I might be able to obscure the view of the sliding glass patio door if I put another layer of shade fabric on the security screen door. Unfortunately, the tape didn't hold the fabric to the screen door for more than a few days, so I removed the tape and used 2 mm black nylon cable twist ties. I slid the cable ties through the fabric and metal screen, twisted them, and cut off the ends.

I bought a townhouse with an uncovered metal pergola.. (live and learn, right?) What I like about Amazon is that one can type nearly any problem in the search and find an answer, the highest rated answer or product, and voila'... it is on its way.
this thing provides good shade and shelter from the very strong sun we are receiving these days, is of a reasonable cost, and a relatively easy installation. (you will need at least one extra set of hands)..

My only caution to be very careful when you spread it on the floor or wherever to make your game plan. It is very slick and put me on my butt in a hurry.... Great item...

Coolaroo is the only shade I will use. I live in the Ca desert and it gets so hot here in the summer. I don't have a big overhang on my patio. I built a pergola last year and installed pavers. I put the Coolaroo over the top of my pergola and it keeps it so much cooler when your sitting out there. It's been a year and the Coolaroo is still there and doing great! That is why I decided to purchase this. I am going to hang it from my house to the pergola. It will cool down that part of the house that gets the afternoon sun. The color is great...it blends in with the house so it's not a noticeable difference.I love the Coolaroo, it is thick, not skimpy like those other shades out there. It blocks out 90% of the sun....how great this summer is going to be!

Exactly as advertised. I actually used this as a covering for a kid's sandbox - attached one end to the end of the box, the other end to an old closet hanger rod and the kids can roll it up to get in the box. Lightweight, keeps debris from blowing in the box, and keeps cats out - meets all my specifications! Can't really speak to how well it provides shade, but looks like it would do the trick.