What is the best patio umbrella?
Generally, people are always in search of the best products to avoid falling into the trap of purchasing low-quality products. The search for an answer to this question is so intense that people forget that it depends on each individual’s requirements. The want of one person is different from that of another person; hence, there is no general answer to what is the best patio umbrella.
There are various factors to consider to arrive at the best patio umbrella that suits your requirements. If you choose to purchase someone else’s best patio umbrellas, you may end up regretting it. This is primarily because you can not use another individual’s taste to judge yours.
Once summer and spring arrive, you will find yourself spending more time outdoors for entertainment. You may also find you’re lounging at the poolside with guests. Since you and your guests are outdoors, you will be exposed to sun rays which always cause discomfort. To avoid such discomfort, you will need ample shade; and patio umbrellas are great solutions for such a problem.
Meanwhile, when choosing the best patio umbrellas, you will need to consider a few factors. These factors include the structure of your home, environment, budget, and several other factors that define the quality of the outdoor umbrellas. The factors that define the quality of the patio umbrellas you get include their features, styles, and materials.
What is the best style of patio umbrellas?
When it comes to purchasing a patio umbrella, the first and crucial step you will have to make is to decide on the style of patio umbrella you need. The style you choose depends on the size of your outdoor space, furniture layout, and your primary objective or expected usage.
You can also choose to bend your rules, especially when you come across a patio umbrella you love but do not fit your requirements. Hence, your personal taste still takes prevalence over every factor you consider.
There are various types of patio umbrellas where the style is the main focus. You can choose from the various options that fall into one of the two categories of styles. Yes! There are only two categories of styles you can find in patio umbrellas. These styles include center pole or offset.
Center pole patio umbrellas
The Center pole umbrella is one of the commonest types of patio umbrellas that have been in existence for a long time. How do you recognize a center pole patio umbrella? It consists of a pole that extends from the top of the cane to a base that keeps it firmly in a position. The pole may either be a single, tough piece or double pieces joined together to secure the canopy they hold.
There are mainly two types of bases that are designed to hold the poles firmly securely. These bases include mobile and fixed bases. One can tell from the names of these bases that a fixed base permanently attaches the pole to the ground; hence, the pole is immovable. On the contrary, the pole can be moved from its current position to another with a mobile base.
A patio umbrella is an outdoor umbrella that effectively protects or shaded its users from direct sunlight. Meanwhile, the protection from sunlight is not at its maximum because of its open sides. Hence, diffused UV rays from the sides expose people to direct sunlight without shades. There are, however, different varieties of center pole patio umbrellas. They include beach umbrellas, market umbrellas, and half umbrellas.
Offset umbrellas (also known as cantilever patio umbrellas)
Offset outdoor umbrellas are commonly known as cantilever patio umbrellas with jointed or arch poles positioned at one side. This is one of the features that makes it different from a center pole patio umbrella. Since the pole is located at one side of the umbrella’s perimeter, the canopy is supported from one side and above. This makes an offset outdoor umbrella a great option to hang over a variety of seating and table configurations.
Cantilever outdoor umbrellas are designed to rotate at an angle of 360° to offer maximum protection from sunlight. It also covers the sides that are not shaded by a center pole outdoor umbrella. A center pole patio umbrella usually causes obstructions when it shades people from the sun. Meanwhile, with an offset outdoor umbrella, a large area will be shaded without any obstruction.
What type of pole or frame material is suitable for your patio umbrella?
When it comes to choosing the material for your umbrella’s pole or frame, your priorities take prevalence over every factor. Are you most concerned about the durability in different climatic conditions? Do you want to match your patio furniture set? Are you trying to enhance the architectural design of your home with your patio umbrella?
There are only three types of materials used for the construction of your patio umbrella’s pole or frame. Irrespective of your priorities, you only have an option to choose from any of the three materials. These materials offer different benefits and characteristics to suit various people with different requirements. The three materials used to construct poles or frames are wood, metal, and fiberglass.
Wood
Wooden umbrellas are popular for their beautiful and unique aesthetic nature. The natural attractiveness displayed by wooden umbrellas is more noticeable in lush green environments. The most common hardwoods used in the construction of wooden umbrellas include bamboo, teak, and eucalyptus. These raw materials—hardwoods—are costly and contribute significantly to the expensive cost of wooden umbrellas.
Although the woods are treated to last long by resisting insects, weather damage, and decay, they are not durable. Once exposed to sun and rain, they tend to fade and make the wooden poles less durable. Hence, they can snap in response to extremely strong winds. To avoid this, most manufacturers usually offer faux wood finishes on metallic poles for those that still want their poles or frames to have a wood look.
Metal
There are primarily two types of metals used for the construction of poles and frames for patio umbrellas. These metals include aluminum and stainless steel that provide more than just sleek modern designs to umbrellas.
Aluminum is an affordable alloy that is light in weight and durable in nature which makes it an excellent choice for patio umbrellas. They are anodized or powder-coated to resist wear and corrosion. One of the significant benefits or characteristics of aluminum metal is its malleability.
Aluminum can be shaped into various dynamic and interesting designs to enhance the aesthetic properties of the umbrella (malleability). This gives aluminum an advantage over wooden poles.
Although aluminum has to be anodized to be corrosion-resistant, stainless steels are naturally resistant to corrosion. This is primarily due to the chromium and nickel contents in stainless steel. Meanwhile, stainless steel can corrode when exposed to an environment of saltwater.
The marine-grade stainless steel contains molybdenum as part of its contents. The presence of molybdenum strengthens the steel to make it more resistant to rust. Hence, it is most suitable for patio umbrellas used on yachts or in coastal areas.
Fiberglass
When you search for the most durable frame and pole for an outdoor umbrella, fiberglass is arguably the most durable material in the market. This material is light in weight, strong, and flexible. This flexibility makes fiberglass bend without snapping or breaking even in strong wind.
Furthermore, it is also resistant to rust or rot and can be used under wet conditions. Fiberglass is expensive due to its unique properties and benefits they offer over other poles and frames materials. Although fiberglass is expensive, its durability is top-notch; hence, it is a good investment.
What size and shape of patio umbrella do you want?
Once you have decided on the style and pole material of the patio umbrella suitable for you, the size of the canopy is the next factor to consider. If it is small in size, you will not get the maximum protection from the sun you need. If it is too large, it would not be apt for your small size environment with constraints.
It is always advisable to measure the outdoor region you want to shade. Else you will end up purchasing a patio umbrella with a smaller or larger canopy that will ruin the ambiance of your deck. When deciding on the shape, you want your patio umbrella to have, you must consider a few factors.
You will have to consider the shape of the space you want to shade, the presence of constraints (physical), and how it affects the aesthetic properties you seek. The canopy of patio umbrellas can come in different shapes, such as round, square, and rectangular.
What type of fabric should the canopy use?
The decision you make in style, materials of poles and frames, and type of base (floor, in-ground, or wall mounts) your patio umbrellas should have is essential. Meanwhile, choosing the canopy material is a crucial decision when purchasing a patio umbrella. Although the canopy influences the aesthetic property of the umbrella, the ultraviolet rays protection property of the canopy is the most important factor to consider.
Canopies are designed from different materials that influence their appearance, benefits, costs, and limitations. The materials or fabrics that are used for the construction of canopies include polyester, polyolefin, polyethylene, and acrylic fabrics. However, most manufacturers always coat these fabrics with PVC or styrene-acrylic to make the canopy resistant to various weather conditions. Meanwhile, it reduces the tensile strength of the canopy in the process.
Additional Dynamic Features
Generally, standard patio umbrellas are immobile, and it may be challenging maximum protection from sun rays. This is primarily because of the consistent traveling of the sun across the sky; hence, the areas that are not shaded will be exposed to au rays. Meanwhile, some patio umbrellas provide incredible additional features that can solve such a shade problem.
The most common additional features you will find in patio umbrellas to solve shade problems are tilt mechanism, swivel, and multi-canopy.
Tilt mechanism
This feature is currently used in most patio umbrellas to provide you with maximum shades. How does this enhance the shade you get? This is found on the pole along with the crank on a center pole patio umbrella. It enables you to place the umbrella’s canopy in any direction suitable to attain the best shades you need from the sun.
Multi-canopy
Patio umbrellas usually come with modular designs, especially offset patio umbrellas. These designs allow you to add more than one canopy to shade you from the harmful sun rays perfectly. You will majorly find these features in umbrellas used for outdoor restaurants and cafes with multiple dining tables.
Swivel
Some of the offset outdoor umbrellas seen in today’s market have 360° rotation capability. This feature allows you to cover a large area with the umbrella’s canopy without moving the base, even if it is a mounted base.
Accessories
Some patio umbrellas are constructed (or bought separately) with various accessories, among which LED light is the most common of them all. There are some cases when the activities you will do in your outdoor umbrella will last until the evening. Should this be the case, getting a patio umbrella light will be a great choice.
LED light is mostly used instead of bulb light due to the less heat they generate. It is generally built in the ribs or hubs of the umbrella, and it is sometimes absent in some outdoor umbrellas. You can purchase the LED lights separately to mount them on the umbrella’s canopy.
Furthermore, they come in different sizes and colors to customize the patio umbrellas the way you desire. Patio umbrellas can also be equipped with other accessories, such as speakers and heaters.
The Best Types Of Outdoor Or Patio Umbrellas
There are various types of patio umbrellas in the market, and they all vary in their qualities, prices, and features. The list of the best patio umbrellas is not chosen randomly, but after considering the various factors listed above. The best patio umbrellas include the following:
10-Feet Solar-Powered Patio Umbrella
This is arguably one of the best patio umbrellas that offer more than just shade on sunny days; it also makes your outdoor area beautiful. It consists of features that contribute to the shade and attractive features it offers.
The umbrella’s canopy material is a water-resistant and fade-resistant polyester fabric. This fabric is a UV-blocking material that will shade its users on sunny days. It also comes with powder-coated aluminum ribs that are rust-free; hence, it is durable in quality and functionality.
It is not only designed for day use but can also be used at night due to its LED light feature powered by a solar panel on the umbrella. The energy-efficient light can last for six to seven hours when fully charged for brightening up your evening. It also has tilting technology for the purpose of maximum protection from sun rays.
Mainstays Collinsport Cantilever Umbrella
This type of patio umbrella—offset or cantilever—comes in various colors that allow you to design your outdoor space to a suitable style that suits your tastes. Depending on the color you choose, your outdoor space will appear modern, retro, or rustic in style.
It is made up of high-quality polyester material, rustproof steel frames, and a fade-resistant canopy. These factors contribute fully to the durability and functionality of this umbrella. It is also equipped with a tilting mechanism feature to adjust the canopy to obtain maximum protection from the sun.
The cantilever patio umbrella is easy to open and close hassle-free due to its crank handle. You can use it to create a shady lounging area in various areas of your home, including the balcony.
Gymax 9-Feet Solar Umbrella
Gymax is another patio umbrella popular for the octagonal shapes on its canopy that provide lounging shades. It also protects you from Impromptu rainfall. The umbrella’s material is constructed with a premium polyester fabric resistant to tearing, cracking, and fading.
The hand-lift and tilting mechanism of this umbrella provides maximum protection from sunlight. All you have to do is use these features to position the umbrella at an angle that will offer you the perfect shade you need.
It is also equipped with a built-in solar-powered LED light which brightens your night without the need for a bulb. How long the LED lights last depend on your usage, and it also comes with two rechargeable batteries to increase the duration of illumination.
Better Homes And Gardens Canyon Lake Patio Umbrella
This type of patio umbrella is popular for the large size of lounging shade it produces. Hence, the reason why it is one of the most sought-after patio umbrellas for decks and balconies. It is a round cantilever patio umbrella with a LED light feature that makes it useful for not only days but nights.
During the day, the UV-blocking fabric of the canopy offers protection from sun rays. While at night, the built-in solar light shines for hours and provides a beautiful ambiance suitable for lovers and entertaining friends. It can also be adjusted at any angle during the day to shade you from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun (tilting mechanism).
The polyester material used in the construction of this cantilever umbrella is resistant to fade, stain, and water. Hence, it has a long-lasting property irrespective of its exposure to sun and rain.
Coral Coast Patio Umbrella
This is another type of patio umbrella that enhances your outdoor decor while it provides a lounging shade. The canopy is made up of a hundred percent UV-blocking material—polyester fabric. The polyester fabrics are resistant to mold and fade caused by rain; hence, it is durable.
It consists of sturdy ribs (eight in number) that protect the canopy from turning inside out by the slightest breeze. It also consists of a rust and corrosion-resistant frame that also contributes to its durability. In addition to this, it is built with tilting technology to position the umbrella at any angle to prevent the sun’s rays from causing discomfort. The canopy can be raised or lowered by using the crank feature.
Conclusion
To enjoy outdoor leisure or recreational activities without worrying about how harsh the sun may be, you must purchase any of these patio umbrellas. Meanwhile, if your business decides to design its patio umbrellas, you will have to source for the best manufacturer. This is primarily because the quality of the outdoor umbrellas you get depends solely on the manufacturer. Although there are various manufacturers, working with HFUmbrella will help you realize your dream. Huifeng patio umbrella manufacturer- your best partner.