What a shadeport is — and what it protects
A shadeport is a tensioned shade-cloth roof, usually 80–95% knitted HDPE net, stretched over a galvanised steel frame. It blocks most of the sun that fades dashboards and cracks trim, drops the cabin temperature on a warm Midlands day, and catches leaves and bird mess. It is the cheapest way to get a car under cover — roughly a third less than a steel carport — which is why shadeports are common on second-vehicle bays and value stands.
| Shadeport | Size | Price band |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 3m × 6m | R4,500 – R9,000 |
| Double | 6m × 6m | R8,000 – R16,000 |
| Triple | 9m × 6m | R13,000 – R22,000 |
Shade net and the Midlands rain — the honest answer
Shade cloth stops sun but does not keep rain off — a Pietermaritzburg downpour runs straight through the net onto the car below, and the net stays wet and drips long after. If keeping the car dry is the reason for the cover, a pitched steel-and-IBR carport is the right buy, not a shadeport. The full comparison is in carport vs shadeport and the drainage detail in carports for Midlands rain and mist. A shadeport is the right call when sun, heat and budget are the priorities and a dry roof is not.
Shadeport or steel carport?
Choose a shadeport for a shaded, cooler car at the lowest price; choose a steel carport when the car must stay dry through the Midlands rain. Many households fit a steel carport over the daily car and a shadeport over the second. See both on the carport prices in Pietermaritzburg page.
Common questions
How much is a shade net carport in Pietermaritzburg?
A shade net carport (shadeport) in Pietermaritzburg costs from R4,500 for a single, R8,000–R16,000 for a double and R13,000–R22,000 for a triple, supplied and installed — roughly a third less than an equivalent steel carport.
Does a shadeport keep the rain off in Pietermaritzburg?
No. A shadeport blocks the sun but lets rain straight through the net, so it does not keep a car dry in a Midlands downpour. For a dry cover, a pitched steel-and-IBR carport is the right choice.
What is the difference between a shadeport and a carport?
A shadeport has a tensioned shade-cloth roof for sun and heat at a low price; a carport has a solid steel, polycarbonate or timber roof that also keeps rain off. The carport-vs-shadeport guide sets out which suits your need in the Midlands.