Which is better, shade cloth or waterproof material?

Neither is universally “better” — they suit different needs. Shade cloth and waterproof PVC both do a similar job of protecting you from UV rays through summer, but PVC adds the benefit of keeping you dry through winter as well. If you mainly want a shaded, breathable outdoor space for summer, shade cloth in the wide range of colours WeatherSafe WA stocks is usually the simpler and more affordable choice. If you want year-round protection and are happy to invest in the heavier-duty framing that PVC requires, a waterproof structure is worth the extra cost. WeatherSafe WA’s team talks through this trade-off with every customer as part of their quote process, since it genuinely comes down to how and when you plan to use the space.