Spring is in the air, and there is no better way to celebrate it than by allowing ourselves to immerse in the new beginnings. As the sun shines warmer and longer, our spirit and mind do so. For some, Spring is the most riveting moment of the whole year. It acts as momentum to start anew. Others welcome Spring to enjoy nature and the sun to rejuvenate. Whatever it may be, we always find ourselves amused under the bright-warm sunshine. Enjoying the sun is incomplete without a simple shade to keep our bodies in check. We certainly do not want to get sunburnt while enjoying the year's best moment.
A perfect-fit outdoor umbrella could be the best idea for this. Also, it may help decorate your garden, patio, poolside, or even business place looks nicer and refreshed.
Choosing an ideal and dependable patio umbrella for your outdoor setting could be very simple but also quite intricate at the same time.
You might need to select the right shade size for your place, not too big or small. You also might consider choosing an umbrella made of durable materials as it will be exposed to sun and rain for quite some time. Many patio umbrellas have interesting built-in features, like an LED lamp for night gatherings. This article will help guide your decision about the perfect umbrella just for you.
Before going further, it is worth noting that the umbrella is an ancient invention from 4.000 years ago. Thanks to the Egyptians, Assyrians, Greek, and Chinese, we can now enjoy nature while keeping our cool. At first, the umbrella served more as an ornamental accessory for women in the 16th century. Around the end of the 18th century, umbrella was very popular for almost everyone, and it came with a foldable design. The outdoor umbrella was the first kind being made back in 2000 BC. It was made for the royals of ancient Chinese and Egypt to protect them from the hot sun and avoid tanned skin.
Presently, a patio umbrella is no longer considered a luxury, and it comes with a sleek design to match your exterior. Hence, various types of designs, features, materials, and sizes of patio umbrellas are available in the market to choose from.
The Style
There are many unique designs of the outdoor umbrella, but generally, it falls into two categories:
Offset and center pole. An offset umbrella, also called Cantilever, is the kind that has an arch or jointed pole to one side (not centered). The umbrella is supported by a strong joint at the side and above. This umbrella may be perfect for a wider shade for your outdoor dining set or jacuzzi. Though it may be expensive,
it provides better protection as many designs also feature adjustable umbrella positions. It can be rotated with a slight adjustment to adapt to the part of the sun during the day activities. Also, it is suitable for outdoor setting which requires no obstruction at its center (e.g., dining table, bathtub, game table, etc.). Offset patio umbrellas may have two distinct categories:
the roman umbrella and the banana umbrella. The Roman umbrella is the one with a more robust pole and is flimsier as the canopy is secured by the joints at the side and above. It is designed to
withstand strong wind and weathering for a longer time. On the other hand,
the banana umbrella has a more straightforward and sleek design. Usually, its pole is arched, and the canopy is only secured by the joint at the top.
The other style of outdoor umbrella is called a center pole. This style is the most common and comes with even more features. The striking characteristic of a central pole umbrella is
the straight pole that supports the umbrella at the center from its top to the bottom base. This style is
relatively cheaper and still effective in warding off UV light. However, it offers less protection as the sunlight may still expose its sides. There are several designs of center pole umbrellas that you may consider choosing.
The first is called
Market Umbrella for its unique octagonal and smooth-edge umbrella. Some of it is made with an air gap to cool the area below the umbrella and help withstand strong wind.
The second style is
Beach Umbrella which is self-explained as you may often see one by the beach. This simple umbrella mostly has a round shape with a solid wooden pole inserted into the sand. Sometimes, its edge is equipped with hanging ornaments for accessories.
Last but not least, the third kind is unique and called
Half Umbrella. It has a flat shape to one side, which allows it to be set up adjacent to a wall, door, or balcony. Think of it as a rounded patio umbrella, but only half. The design is intended for a limited or confined outdoor space. The canopy of this umbrella may be round or flat.
The Materials
Choosing the perfect and stylish umbrella is easy, but you cannot neglect the material factor. Your outdoor umbrella will be placed in your garden, backyard, poolside, etc. It would be exposed to sun and rain most of the time, so you may need to consider a dependable and durable umbrella that agrees with your pocket. The pole could be wood, metal (aluminum), or fiberglass. The wood material is rather expensive but offers a classic and timeless design. Many producers have treated the wood toward insects, but it is still less durable against solid wind and a moist environment compared to other materials. Aluminum metal is the most common pole material as it is inexpensive but offers excellent durability. Fiberglass is relatively uncommon, but it is the most durable material available. It is not corrosive as metal, so you do not have to worry about it getting rusty.
Your umbrella's canopy fabric is rather intricate to choose from because it comes with a different combination of materials. Also, it comes in various colors and patterns. You may need to be meticulous in selecting the materials. Generally, the fabric could be simple cotton coated with PVC, styrene-acrylic fabric, polyester, polyolefin, and polyethylene. PVC coated fabric is the cheapest in the market; it may provide less UV protection but is quite effective as water-resistant material. The most expensive but highly durable and excellent UV protection is styrene-acrylic fabric. It can ward off 98% UV light and can be cleaned with almost all cleaning agents without fading its color. Polyester is second-best in the market and cheaper compared to acrylic, but it fades easier. Polyolefin is a comparable cheaper material, and it is more eco-friendly than other plastic-based materials. The reason is that its production requires less energy and does not use toxic chemicals. Although it is still considered very durable, polyolefin may have less resistance against hot temperatures, and it is flammable. Lastly, polyethylene fabric is quite economical and suitable for tropical areas. It can withstand hot weather as well as wet rain. However, it only offers 90% UV protection and is not water-resistant.
The Size
An oversized outdoor umbrella could be cumbersome and dominating, while a tiny umbrella offers less shade protection for a group or party. Thus, choosing the right size umbrella is also essential. First, you need to decide what kind of activity or setting may need shade protection. Then, you can consider the size of shades you need to cover the said activity or location. For instance, you may need to set up your dining table and chairs and consider the shape and broad shade protection you need. Add 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) to its sides for better judgment. Next, pay attention to your surroundings. Are there any physical limitations within the space? Perhaps walls, railings, structures, or even tree branches? This should also be considered. We provide several options below for your preference:
| Shade Area |
Canopy Size |
48 inches (122 cm)
|
8-9 feet (244-274 cm) |
| 60 inches (152 cm) |
9-10 feet (274-304 cm) |
| 84 inches (213cm) |
11-12 feet (335-366 cm) |
| 108 inches (274 cm) |
13-14 feet (396-427 cm) |
The Feature
Having an outdoor umbrella could be more than style and comfort for some people. It should also fulfill some distinct needs of its owner. Below are several examples of high-end patio umbrellas that you may want to consider.
- Digital Nomads
These people cannot sustain themselves from being disconnected from the world for a long time. Some umbrella manufacturers see this and build a sophisticated umbrella with built-in Wifi and USB charger output. Some models even have speakers that you can connect through a Bluetooth connection.
- Sail Feeling
Some outdoor umbrellas could take the form of multiple layers of sails. It usually covers a broader area and is hung by at least two poles on each end. It provides shade protection and still allows more room for a breeze. Its eye-catching design could lift your mood for an imagined sailing adventure while relaxing.
- Night Gatherer
Sometimes the best time to relax is at sundown when you gather with friends and families over some game sessions or barbeque parties. Without the sun, you may need lights to enjoy the time further. Luckily, some manufacturers like Homful offer a
solar-powered patio umbrella with built-in lamps. This is an anti-mainstream feature intended for outdoor activities at night. You do not need to worry about seeking a power outlet to power the lights. Just leave it outside, and it will harvest solar energy to power its light at night.
Publication Date: 3/1/2022
Category:
Patio Umbrella
