4 Important Tips For Buying A Patio Umbrella
A hot, sunny day is great for the swimming pool or stretching out on your favorite chaise lounge, but even the most well appointed deck or patio can be uncomfortable without the benefit of a well-placed patio umbrella. Whether you’re looking for a simple market umbrella for a small dining set, or a large cantilever offset umbrella to shade an entire seating area, Frontera has you covered.
Here are a few key things to consider when shopping for a patio umbrella:
#1: What do you want to shade?
For 2-8 person dining tables, choose a traditional market umbrella. These umbrellas feature a center pole that mounts through a hole in the center of your dining table and rests in a weighted base. These umbrellas feature ribbed canopies and can be opened and closed via a crank or simple pulley system. Available in sizes up to 16 ft. in diameter, many market umbrellas have a tilt feature for optimum shade throughout the day. Canopies are available in a variety of fabric grades and colors.
For larger dining tables or entire seating areas, a cantilever umbrella works best. This style of patio umbrella features a heavy-duty pole (mounted in a very heavy base) from which a long arm extends to hold the umbrella canopy off to the side. This enables you to shade a large area while keeping the pole out of the way instead of in the center of the canopy. Available in many sizes and shapes, cantilever umbrellas may also offer a tilt feature, and canopies are available in a multiple fabrics and colors.
#2: What size & shape of area are you shading?
For round dining tables, choose an octagonal shape.
For square and rectangular tables, choose a square or rectangular shape.
Determine the general shape of the area you want to shade and choose the canopy option that best covers that shape. Tip: For best coverage, choose a canopy that is 5 ft. larger in diameter than the area you want to shade.
#3: What type of climate do you live in?
Windy Areas – Umbrella canopies are not unlike a ship’s sail, so locations with high wind require certain considerations. Wind gusts can bend or break canopy ribs, snap poles, or pull umbrellas out of their bases and send them flying three doors down. If you live in a windy area, here are some things to consider:
- Buy a quality patio umbrella with flexible, replaceable canopy ribs, a large diameter pole, and an extra-heavy base.
- Keep your umbrella closed when not in use.
Near the Ocean – If you live near the ocean, consider a patio umbrella with an aluminum pole that will not rust or deteriorate from the moist, salty air. Look for canopies available in Sunbrella fabrics that are UV-protected, resistant to mildew, and easy to clean.
High Altitude – Higher altitudes mean closer proximity to the sun and more intense rays beaming down on your umbrella canopy. Over time, this can result in fading and accelerated deterioration. All of our umbrella canopies are designed for intense outdoor sun, but Sunbrella fabrics in particular are renowned for their enduring color and UV protection, and offer a 5-year warranty against fading, mildew, and more.
#4: What is your budget?
Like most things, with patio umbrellas you get what you pay for in terms of quality and longevity. If you’ve ever been tempted to buy a cheap patio umbrella from a big box store, it’s likely that you learned this lesson the hard way – canopy fabric fades and tears, canopy ribs break and are not replaceable, pulley systems bind up or break, and the lightweight umbrella base was not enough to keep your umbrella from sailing up and out of your yard. If your deck or patio is a place where you intend to spend any real quality time, invest in a patio umbrella that will endure the elements and provide shade for years to come.
NEW Luxe Shade™ Patio Umbrellas
Enjoy resort quality luxury in the comfort of your own back yard. Luxe Shade™ umbrellas offer the perfect balance of quality and value; featuring genuine Sunbrella™ fabrics, commercial-grade center poles, and durable canopy ribs, available in a variety of colors and styles.
