Patio Umbrellas 2

Patio Umbrellas

Patio umbrellas, also known as garden umbrellas, are a good addition to any open patio setting. They offer cool shade and protect you from the harmful rays of the sun as well as provide an easy way to decorate your patio.

Patio umbrellas come in different styles. There are crank and tilt umbrellas, which you can open and close by using a hand crank placed on the pole. You can also tilt them to get the best shade with a push of a button. Popup patio umbrellas open the same way ordinary hand held umbrellas do. Some of these types of umbrellas have tilt features. For an Oriental inspired look, you can choose pagoda umbrellas, many of which have crank lifts and tilting frames.

One important thing to consider when buying patio umbrellas is size. Usually, patio umbrellas have diameters ranging from 6.5 feet up to 13 feet, which should provide ample shade to your patio table. You just have to make sure the diameter of the patio umbrella and the diameter of your patio table matches. Otherwise, the umbrella will look either too big or too small for your table.

Patio umbrellas can have frames made of aluminum, wood or fiberglass. Make sure your umbrellas have sturdy frames. You can choose coated frames, which are chip and scratch resistant. Fiberglass frames are ideal for windy areas because they are resilient, which means they bend with strong winds without snapping.

Umbrella base stands hold patio umbrellas in place. Cast iron, compound concrete, or enameled steel are some of the common materials used for base stands. They provide excellent support to patio umbrellas during windy days.

There is also a wide range of patio umbrella canopies available. Your first consideration should be the quality of the material. Look for a fabric that is tough, will not reap easily and can stand against harsh weather elements. Sunbrella is a good choice for canopy fabric that lasts long and usually comes with a five-year no color fading guarantee.

When it comes to the color and design, your choice will have to depend on what will match your patio setting and the style and color of your house’s exterior walls and outdoor furniture. Patio umbrellas come in solid colors, alternating colors, stripes, and all sorts of prints. Again, it is up to you to decide the design of your patio umbrella. You can even choose a tiki style umbrella as long as it works well with the rest of your patio furniture.

Additionally, always check for warranty that should cover breakage due to manufacturing or material defects. Look for patio umbrellas with three up to five-year warranty programs.