When choosing an
outdoor patio umbrella you need to remember to consider the materials of construction, do you need it for a patio table or picnic table, or do you want it to stand alone and cover just a seating area. Also remember that it is made for outdoors and will see some unusual weather some of the time. You want one that is made of sturdy materials that will withstand the beating of rain and possibly hail unless you plan on storing it each time there is a threat of a storm.
If you decide that you want a stand-alone model the cantilever umbrella is an excellent decision because it reaches out away from its base to the area that you want shaded without the pole or stand getting in the way. You will not only have the
shade protection but a lot more room to move around. You can also decorate the canopy section of your umbrella with patio umbrella lights or wind a string of lights around the supporting pole of the umbrella. These lights are easy to install and are not very expensive. Metal stands are available for the umbrella as opposed to the wood ones that had a tendency to warp. If you need to purchase a stand the basic model weighs about thirty pounds. They are not only made of metal, but they can also be made of cement or plastic that needs to be filled with sand. The weight of a stand can roughly reach 60 pounds to support very large umbrellas.
Aside from choosing your color schemes and shapes so that they will match your other outdoor areas, make sure your umbrella is made from quality materials. Your outdoor patio umbrella is going to be outdoors for quite some time during the warm weather and you want something that is going to withstand all the elements. Teak poles are a very durable support and can stand up to quite a bit of harsh weather better than aluminum poles. Aluminum will usually bend and snap in the strong and gusty winds. Teak also will not rot or warp as some of the other woods. There is an alternative to aluminum and wood, and that is fiberglass. It is non-corrosive and flexible that is usually used for fishing poles and boats. The umbrella spines will actually bend with the wind and spring back to its original shape without any damage. Also the fabric that makes up the canopy of your patio furniture umbrellas should be of resilient synthetic that has been weather treated to get the most life out of it.
Patio umbrellas not only compliment the decor of your outdoor
garden furniture but they add warmth to most outdoor living areas. It is much more enjoyable to be outdoors in the garden during the hot summer months without having to worry about the damage the sun can cause. Placing a stand-alone cantilevered umbrella at pool side provides parents protection from the sun, without pole interference, while watching over the children while they are swimming. An outdoor patio umbrella as your garden shade can be a lot easier to install and less expensive than a patio cover.
