The Outdoor Umbrella Investment

Have you ever sat in the direct sun for a long lunch? It can be torture on hot days. You could be at home or at your local restaurant, and a outdoor umbrella can make the difference between having a nice day and feeling like you are being roasted for lunch.  Here are some really great reasons you should invest in a good patio umbrella.

1. Patio umbrellas are a must for anybody who lives in a sunny or tropical place. More than one could be a good idea, especially if you entertain a group of people at parties.
2. A patio umbrella can also provide shelter from a summer rain that might be  rolling through. Larger market umbrellas or Cantilever umbrellas can give shelter to a whole bunch of people at the same time, and maybe even save a picnic or two.
3. An umbrella can also be bought to add a complimentary decorative item to your patio area. There are many choices when it comes to the colors and patterns available and they are typically made from the same outdoor fabrics that patio cushions are made, like Sunbrella or Outdura fabrics. The key thing is to get fabric that is water, mold, mildew and UV resistant like outdoor solution dyed acrylics.
4. Have fun matching your umbrella to the decor in your garden patio. If you own wood furniture, it’s worth trying to match wood with wood, but not necessary. Otherwise you could buy an aluminum umbrella that will give you fewer hassles and require little effort to open.
5. A mobile umbrella is  good choice given their versatility. You can place one any spot that you need the cover and are easy enough to move so that you can adjust them as the sun rises or sets. The trick is to place them to maximize their cover while keeping them out of the way.
6. Make sure to choose an umbrella that is the right size. If it is too small then somebody or something is always left out of the cover. If it is too large, it might be very difficult to open and close or to move around if it is a portable version.
7. Reduce Heat.  The right combination of patio umbrellas can reduce your patio heat by as much as 20%!

Another Look at Wind Resistant Umbrellas

Patio umbrellas can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Picking the right color combination can really add a splash of color to your outdoor space. Whether it’s on a patio, a deck, or by a pool, an umbrella can provide beauty and comfort. Most people think about the size, shape, and color when they look for outdoor umbrellas, but what about the style of the frame?

Traditional frames are made of aluminum or wood. Aluminum umbrella frames are very light weight and resistant to corrosion. Wooden umbrella frames are very beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. But one of the biggest problems with both of these umbrellas is the threat of wind damage.

But there is an alternative. One of the most durable types of frames for outdoor umbrellas is a fiberglass frame. Fiberglass is a very flexible and versatile non-corrosive material commonly used in fishing poles and boats. The fiberglass spokes in the umbrella frame makes the umbrella incredibly wind resistant. When the wind blows very hard in a traditional umbrella, the spines are bent and mangled by the wind. Sometimes this causes damage to the fabric as well. But with fiberglass umbrellas, the spines actually bend in the wind. The umbrella can take a lot of abuse from the wind and still go back to its original shape with no resulting damage to the spines.

As for the cost, aluminum umbrellas are the least expensive, with wooden umbrellas costing about 10- 15% more than that. Fiberglass umbrellas will cost you about 10%- 15% on average more than the wooden ones.

So when you’re shopping for an outdoor umbrella, make sure you choose the color that looks the best with your surroundings, the size that best fits your space, and the style that will last the longest in your climate.

Storing your outdoor umbrella

It’s winter time and you should be either storing or covering your patio umbrella.  Not exactly sure how or the best way to store your umbrella?  Not to worry, we’ve put together a neat little list of some of the best ways to store your patio centerpeice.

Storing it.  Tips on putting your umbrella away for the winter.

1. Make sure you close and bind your patio umbrella correctly.  Many people just close up the umbrella “au natural” and tie it up with some cord.  Your quality patio umbrella should come with an attached tie to secure the canopy.  Close the umbrella, then pull each panel and fold it over the next one.  This lessens the chance of wrinkles in the fabric over the long winter.
2. Put your bottom pole within the folded panels.  Many people just stick the bottom pole into the center of the umbrella and close it up.  Not a good idea. The pole can scratch or dent your umbrella ribs.
3. Cover the exposed pole edge.  This dose not have to be fancy, a piece of cardboard or  even a folded plastic bag will do.  This helps to protect  the umbrella aluminum or connecting thread from scrapes or dents.  It also keeps your hands and fingers from getting cut from sharp corners.
4. Dry your wooden umbrella thoroughly.  Even though most quality wood umbrellas are treated for exposure, it’s always a good idea to make sure you pass a drop rag or towel over all the wooden parts to make sure they are dry.  Water can cause ugly staining to wood, or even warping of the pole, if the pole is left wet and sealed within it’s own canopy.
5. Hang your umbrella.  A lot of umbrellas come with a hook or attachment at the finial for hanging.  Use it!  It’s convenient and keeps your umbrella from becoming loose in your storage area.
6. Cross lay your umbrellas.  If you can’t hang your umbrella, then you can lay it down on a large shelf or in a safe area.  If you have more than one, then cross lay them finial to pole.  This keeps the umbrellas snug in one spot, and capitalizes on space.

Covering it or Closing it.  Tips on maintaining your umbrella during down time.

1. Invest in a good Umbrella Cover.  This great piece of fabric can be a lifesaver when you can’t store your patio umbrellas.  Made from vinyl, polyester, or acrylic, they come in a variety of sizes to fit most standard umbrellas.
2. Read tip number 1. (Close and bind correctly.)  If you can’t store or cover your umbrella, closing and binding is the very least you can do.  Don’t worry about binding it too tightly.   Frogs and larger insects love to camp out in the folds of your umbrella.  Keeping it tight will encourage them to move along.
3. Keep it dry.  During summer months, the sun can be your best friend as it dries off your umbrella.  Most outdoor fabrics are highly resistant to mold and mildew, but water tends to attract dust and dirt, and that’s where you will have a problem.  Most mildewy umbrellas you see are not actually growing mildew on the cover, but on the dirt trapped in the fabric of the cover.  A little wipe down with a rag or towel will do the trick.
4. Put it down.  Winter can get windy, and even though you wrapped and tightened your umbrella really well, it can still be pushed over in the wind.  When harsh weather comes around, put your patio umbrella down against a wall or in a corner.

Following these tips, your outdoor umbrella should look great when you bring it out again for spring and summer.