Underground Journal

The Patio Umbrella

Patio umbrellas allow for welcome havens of shade while entertaining or relaxing outdoors. There are a number of things to consider when shopping for patio umbrellas to ensure that you will select the style and size that will best suit your patio environment.

Once you decide upon a budget, determine how many patio umbrellas you will need for the space under consideration. Are you looking for free-standing umbrellas on poles or a table top model? To ensure that the umbrella you select is large enough to shade the desired area, measure the bench, table or area that you want shaded, and choose an umbrella that is five feet larger than the area you want shaded.

This is something called the umbrella’s shade diameter. To provide enough shade for a table measuring 3 feet in diameter, for example, select a patio umbrella that is at least 8 feet in diameter. Umbrella sizes usually range between 6 feet and 11 feet to accomodate everything from a small circular dining table to a large rectangle picnic table.

Patio table umbrellas come in a variety of materials, but whichever you choose, make sure the fabric is mold and mildew resistant for best quality. Check if there is a warranty against the color of the material fading due to sun, wind and rain exposure, and if the material is waterproof and offers up to 98% UV protection from the sun. Umbrellas are available in push-button styles for quick and easy opening, or in crank styles that must be opened or closed by hand-turning the crank.

Choose a material for your umbrella that coordinates with the existing color scheme of your patio.Choose lighter colors that reflect the heat rather than dark colors that absorb it. Although fringe may look attractive, umbrellas with this feature attract more dirt. In order to keep your umbrellas looking their best, choose fabric that is easy to wash and keep clean. You can increase the longevity of your patio umbrella by dusting off the surface dirt and wiping with a damp sponge on a weekly basis, in addition to storing the umbrella away after the spring/summer seasons in an upright position to protect its ribs if being used in harsher climates that experience foul winter weather.

Whether using your umbrella on a table top or in a freestanding base, choose between a wooden umbrella which cannot rotate or tilt, or an aluminum model complete with push-button tilt for flexibility in changing directions. Be certain that both your umbrella and pole are durable enough to withstand wind, rainfall and changes in temperature.

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