Guides › Shadowspec Retreat
Shadowspec Retreat buying guide: is a wall-mounted umbrella right for your space?
The Shadowspec Retreat is a 9 ft umbrella on an arm that bolts to a wall, post or pillar, so your floor stays completely clear. It's $2,995 CAD with shipping included anywhere in Canada. Here's what to check before you order.
1. Do you have the right wall?
Shadowspec says to choose a wall, pillar or post strong enough to carry the umbrella: solid concrete, masonry or structural wood. On siding or stucco, the bracket has to land on the framing behind it, not on the cladding. The wall bracket is included. Fasteners aren't, because they depend on your wall: Shadowspec specifies 316 stainless steel fasteners matched to your structure.
2. How high to mount it
Shadowspec recommends mounting the wall bracket 1,650 mm (5'5") off the ground. That gives 2,175 mm (7'2") of head clearance under the canopy edge, the standard for commercial spaces. At home you can mount it lower, down to 1,350 mm (4'5"), which leaves 6'2" of clearance.
3. How much shade you get
The hexagon canopy is 8'10" point to point. It reaches 8'7" from the wall to the canopy edge, and ShadowReach extends it another 18", to 10'0". That's enough for a table for four or a pair of loungers. It rotates to follow the sun and has two tilt positions for late-day sun. Folded, it sits about 1 ft off the wall and clears windows and doorways.
4. Leave room to open it
As it opens, the canopy swings down to about 2'11" off the floor and out about 6'4" from the wall. Pull chairs back before you open or close it.
5. Condos and stratas: ask first
Most strata bylaws treat drilling into an exterior wall or balcony column as an alteration to common property. Get written approval from your strata council before you install. Send them Shadowspec's spec sheet and installation guide from our Guides & spec sheets page. If you rent, ask your landlord.
6. Wind
Like any umbrella, close the Retreat when the wind picks up and whenever you leave it. Upper floors of towers can be much windier than the street. If you're high up or on an exposed corner, text us a photo before you order.
7. Colours, fabric and what's in the box
Five canopy colours: Oyster, Alpine Stone, Charcoal Tweed, Rust and Black & White Stripe. The fabric is solution-dyed and UPF 80. The frame is anodised aluminium and 316 stainless steel in Space Grey. A silver protection cover is included. A second wall bracket ($575) lets you move it between two spots, like the pool and the dining area.
8. Warranty and delivery
Shadowspec warranties the Retreat for 3 years on the fabric and 3 years on the frame (1 year for commercial use; Shadowspec's conditions apply). It ships in 2 to 6 weeks, with shipping included. Warranty details
Can I install it myself?
Most customers do. You need a drill, a level and the right fasteners for your wall: three for the top bracket and two for the bottom catch. For commercial jobs, ask us about installation.
Not sure it fits?
Text a photo of your wall to 778-902-5534 and we'll tell you if it works, and where to mount it.
Sources: Shadowspec's Retreat product information, mounting-height and opening-distance guides, and owner's manual (see Retreat manuals and spec sheets). Prices in Canadian dollars with shipping included, as of October 2026.