Are you thinking of remodeling your garden or do you need to change your old patio umbrellas for newer ones with better features than the current ones? Have you just opened a restaurant with a terrace and don’t know how to choose patio umbrellas to protect your guests from the sun’s rays in the middle of the summer season? If that’s your case, don’t worry anymore because we’ll give you all the answers to your questions.
There are many things to consider when it comes to choosing a patio umbrella: the materials, the space available, functionality, size, budget, etc. If you want to improve the aesthetic state of your garden or terrace, but also want to improve its functionality and make all those who decide to spend time outdoors in it do so with all the comforts and protected from the scorching heat of the sun, you should read carefully the buying guide that we will explain below.
Do you want to know how to choose your patio umbrella?
Browse our Affiliate Products
Read on!
Understanding Patio Umbrella Types
The first decision you will have to make is which type of patio umbrella will best suit your specific needs and personal preferences. At this point there is also a wide variety of factors that will make your decision change: your budget, the space you have available to place them, the materials you want and also your own taste, since not everything is a matter of utility, when we choose umbrellas we also have to like aesthetically.
What to choose? Where to start my selection? To make your search easier, we are going to explain to you the main types of patio umbrellas in the current market and which are the most successful:
Central Pole Umbrellas
Center-post umbrellas are the most common type of umbrella and the one you find in most restaurant terraces in big cities. Their system is quite basic but works well to protect people from the sun’s incidence.
These umbrellas are composed of a straight pole in its center that extends from a central base (which can be fixed or mobile) the top of the cover. The only drawback to this type of umbrella is that its protection against diffuse or reflected solar radiation is very low, so it would be necessary to have some kind of external ventilation system to attenuate the feeling of heat while being under them during the main hours of sunshine.
Although most central pole sunshades are similar, there are also some variants that we will have to consider before making our final decision:
Market Patio Umbrellas
The market patio umbrellas are the most famous variant within the central post umbrellas, characterized by always having a round or octagonal shape with clean edges. On the other hand, there are also umbrellas of this type that have a simple or double ventilation system incorporated, which allows them to better withstand the heat and protect the canopy from the strongest gusts of wind.
Offset Patio Umbrellas
The other most famous type of patio umbrella is the Offset patio umbrella, better known as “Cantilevers”. These umbrellas are characterized by having an articulated post that is placed on one of the sides, which will allow us to move it at will and provide shades of multiple forms without having the limitation of a central post.
In addition, this type of “flying” umbrella also has the ability to rotate and provide 360-degree coverage, making it even more complete and versatile for those tables that do not enjoy a center hole to place an umbrella. Although this type of umbrella has many advantages over the more traditional model, it also has a unique but great inconvenience: they are much more expensive and difficult too.
If your interested in other all weather garden furniture, check out this article. Simple All Weather Garden Furniture Guide
Patio Umbrella Sizing Tips
Once you have decided on the type of umbrella you will want, the next thing you will need to determine is its size. It is very important to make with what size we choose, because if we choose an umbrella too small we will always have problems to protect ourselves from the sun and we will be forced to buy a new one; while if we choose an excessively large umbrella, we could spoil the general aesthetics of the garden and prevent the placement of other decorative elements.
It is important to find a balance between the amount of space we have and the amount of shade we need, no more and no less. It is the best way to make a useful purchase that makes us feel satisfied with the money invested.
Here is a simple reference guide to help you find your ideal size:
Umbrella Canopy Sizing
| up to 36 inches | 7 to 8 feet |
| up to 48 inches | 8 to 9 feet |
| up to 60 inches | 9 to 10 feet |
| up to 72 inches | 10 to 11 feet |
| up to 84 | 11 to 12 feet |
| up to 96 inches | 12 to 13 feet |
| up to 108 inches | 13 to 14 feet |
Selecting an Umbrella Shape
Once you know the model and size of the umbrella, the next thing you will have to choose is its shape. And how do I decide which umbrella shape is best for me? Very simply, based on these three basic criteria: the shape of the table or space we want to shade; the elements surrounding that space that may interfere with the umbrella; our own personal preferences regarding the aesthetics of the product.
Round
If the space you need to cover is symmetrical and you are a lover of more traditional aesthetics, choosing an umbrella with a rounded shape is your best option. In addition, although the description says that the umbrella has a rounded shape, in reality its shape is octagonal or even hexagonal, providing a uniform and really effective coverage for multiple spaces.
Square
If you want to create a feeling of absolute symmetry and visual balance, while giving your garden a contemporary style that never goes out of style, buying a square shaped umbrella is your best option. This umbrella shape provides a uniform and complete shade in any space.
Rectangular
If you have a table that is too long or the space you have is quite limited (such as a terrace or a small balcony), the best option available to you will be the rectangular umbrella. A round umbrella could be too much and a square one would not provide the comfort we need; the rectangular shape is thinner and better suited to the needs of homes with small spaces for leisure and relaxation outdoors.
Choosing an Umbrella Material
1. Sunbrella Fabric
The Sunbrella brand is the leading manufacturer of patio umbrellas today, with top quality products that will provide up to 98% protection against UV rays, and high resistance to water and strong winds.
2. Polyester
Polyester is one of the most widely used materials in the manufacture of patio umbrellas, both for its resistance to the passage of time and for its price. The colors of polyester fabrics are much more resistant than those engraved on acrylic fabrics, making it much easier to maintain over the years and keeping a beautiful look for longer.
3. Olefin
Olefin fabric is one of the best materials for those who want to respect the environment without giving up the highest quality and sun protection possible. Moreover, this material will not only protect us effectively from the most powerful UV rays, but it is also highly resistant to stains and allows us to clean it with bleach or chlorine without having to worry about it getting damaged.
4. Acrylic
Acrylic is considered the star material for both indoor and outdoor patio umbrellas. The colors of this material remain just as intense over the years, being very easy to clean and maintain in perfect condition despite the harsh weather to which it will be exposed.
5. Thatch
Straw may not seem like the ideal material for building a sturdy patio umbrella, but the truth is that in those cases where you are looking to create a more ecological aesthetic in line with the warm climates of the world’s tropical areas, an authentic straw umbrella is the best option. In addition, not only will it provide us with a more beach like aesthetic, but this material is also highly resistant to sun and rot.
If your looking for more of a shade cloth material or blinds for your patio , check this article out. Shade Cloth vs Blinds: Which Is Better For Patio Plants?
Umbrella Maintenance
Apart from the basic features of a patio umbrella, there is also the possibility of adding a few accessories that have made it even more efficient and help prevent wear and tear over the years.
The main accessories we can use are:
1. Patio Umbrella Lights
There are some umbrellas that have the possibility of installing additional lights on their poles, which will give them a much better appearance and will improve the visibility of the guests while they enjoy a nice evening outdoors.
2. Umbrella Base Tables
Most umbrellas have a stable base, however there are some models that do not have it incorporated and in which we will have to find a good base that protects you in case of wind and sudden changes in climate. This is an essential safety measure.
3. Umbrella Patio Covers
Conclusion
In conclusion, the task of choosing a patio umbrella is something that requires all our time and attention, since as you have seen there are multiple aspects to consider before making our final decision. After all, all the furniture we choose for our homes we analyze them in depth to see if beyond their aesthetics, they also provide us with some usefulness; because the same happens with patio umbrellas, they are much more than a simple canvas awning that protects us from sun and rain. Don’t forget that!
