Outdoor Umbrellas

Outdoor umbrellas are probably the most popular addition to any patio or deck because of the added protection from the sun for those who enjoy the great outdoors. Outdoor umbrellas will also help keep your outdoor furniture from fading due to the sun and some protection during rainy weather.

Umbrellas are available in several styles. It all depends on your outdoor activities or your location; you just may want to consider purchasing one or have several umbrellas for your protection during the warm and hot weather months.

Market or patio umbrellas work wonders at shading outdoor seating or patio tables. Their canopies are generally made of polyester or acrylic material and some have heavier material in which to block the sunlight and moisture. These materials will hold up well to the sun and most weathering. You will find the canopies in a wide range of designs and colors. Most of the umbrellas have an extra flap or layer located on the top of the canopy. This layer will act as a vent, allowing the wind to pass through your umbrella. This vent will likely cause less damage to your umbrella from the force of the wind. It is always best, during heavy winds, to close or remove all your umbrellas for protection. A good idea is to purchase a heavy sturdy base for the umbrella to be inserted for its stability.

Table patio umbrellas are very similar to market umbrellas but they are inserted into the hole of a patio or deck table and placed into a sturdy base under the table for stabilization. The market or patio umbrella bases can be very heavy; if you only have one umbrella but want to have use of it in different areas a good idea would be to purchase an extra base or two to leave in these other areas and just remove the umbrella from one base and place into another. This is a lot easier than moving a heavy base around the garden.

The pole of the umbrella can be constructed of wood or aluminum. The wood parts of an umbrella usually have an attractive finish, but typically will not have a tilt option. Not all aluminum poles have a tilt option, but those that do let you know what type it is such as manual or mechanical tilt.

Beach umbrellas are also available with smaller canopies and are designed to be used in the sand or the dirt. The canopies are very similar to the patio umbrellas with or without a tilt option. The pole is usually equipped with a sharp or auger tip for driving the pole into the ground or sand. A separate base is also available to purchase that is easier to drive into the sand and to stabilize the umbrellas.

Wall mount umbrellas made of durable material are also available. The have tilting and rotating arms for controlling the position and angle of the canopy. Before purchasing, check all the specifications of the umbrella to be sure you have the proper area to place one and they will need specific hanging materials.

Offset patio umbrellas are built so the base and pole are off to the side of the umbrella so they do not interfere with dinning and relaxing. These particular umbrellas are good for protecting you from the sun while dining or for entertaining. Some of these are classified as rectangular outdoor umbrellas which have canopies that are rectangular shaped and will cover a larger area.

When you stop to think about it, having outdoor umbrellas is some form or other will not only protect you but also your patio furniture from damage from the natural elements outdoors. Just think what happens to your skin if it is not protected; your furniture can end up with similar problems. It is always a good idea to protect your furniture with umbrellas or furniture covers when they are not in use; they will give you many more years of use if you do.


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Published on July 25, 2010 at 08:41 PM | Comments (0)

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