UVE (Ultraviolet Effectiveness) measures how well a fabric blocks harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. It’s the Australian Standard (AS 4174) used by ARPANSA to rate shade fabrics for sun protection.

At Betty Shade, we use premium knitted Lycra fabric, tested to AS 4174, achieving a UVE 99% rating. This places our fabric in the Most Effective protection category, meaning it blocks 99% of UV rays for superior sun protection.

Our knitted Lycra is lightweight, flexible, and durable, designed to float with the wind while giving you reliable shade wherever you go.

While our shades provide premium protection, sun safety is always best approached in layers: apply sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and stay hydrated to enjoy the sunshine responsibly.

Why Not UPF?

You may have heard of UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), the standard used for clothing, hats, and swimwear. UPF measures how much UV passes through fabric when worn on the body, taking into account stretch and coverage.

Shade fabrics are different. When used for tents, gazebos, or other shade structures, factors such as height, size, angle, stretch, and distance from the person all affect UV exposure. Because of this, UPF is not an appropriate measure for shade fabrics.

Instead, UVE is used, testing the fabric itself under controlled conditions. Our knitted Lycra achieves UVE 99%, giving you confidence in the fabric’s ability to block UV rays.

Disclaimer:

When shade fabric is used for purposes such as shade structures for human protection, the ultraviolet effectiveness (UVE) may not be an accurate guide to the protection provided and may be less than the measured value due to factors including variations in design, height and size of shade structures, stretching of the fabric, the distance of the fabric from the persons, the direction of sunlight, and the physical location of the persons within the shade structure (e.g. at the edge or at the centre).