Patio Umbrellas Buying Guide

Who should read this Patio Umbrella Buying Who should read this Patio Umbrella Buying Guide? Guide?

• Home Owners• Restaurant Owners• Hospitality Agents• Resort Purchase Agents

What do you want to shade?What do you want to shade?

• Are you shading a small patio table or a large poolside or patio? • How large is your patio table? • Are you looking for several market umbrellas for a commercial atmosphere or

basic shade for the backyard? • What kind of weather is most common in your area? (To decide on fabric type)

Patio Umbrellas Key FeaturesPatio Umbrellas Key Features

• The Crank: rotated to open and close the umbrella• Pulley & Pin: feature to raise it to the proper height • The Hubs: two hubs:

– Runner Hub: moves up and down the center pole raising and lowering the support ribs to open or close the umbrella

– Top Hub: stationary; holds the main ribs which swing outward to open the umbrella and downward to close the umbrella.

• The Finial: adds decorative • The Ribs: spread and support the shade cover into the open position

Patio Umbrellas: What size?Patio Umbrellas: What size?• 6-foot Umbrella Shade Diameter

– covers up to 30-inch bistro/cafe tables • 7-foot Umbrella Shade Diameter

– covers up to 36-inch bistro/cafe tables • 9-foot Umbrella Shade Diameter

– covers up to 48-inch round or square dining tables with 4 chairs • 11-foot Umbrella Shade Diameter

– covers up to 60-inch round or square dining tables– 72-inch oval and rectangular tables with 6 chairs

Patio Umbrella Canopy Patio Umbrella Canopy FabricsFabrics• Need to be weather-resistant• Come in many colors and patterns, both bold and fun• Breathable fabrics are a good choice

– Stay cool, even under the hot sun• Most umbrella fabrics are colorfast and resist mold and

mildew.

New Trend: Shade SailsNew Trend: Shade Sails

• Contemporary version of patio umbrellas• Also called sun sails• Weather- and UV-resistant fabric

– Stretch across poles, trees, or the house

Patio Umbrella FramesPatio Umbrella Frames

• Wood Patio Umbrellas• Aluminum Patio Umbrellas• Fiberglass Patio Umbrellas

Table Versus Free-Standing Patio Table Versus Free-Standing Patio UmbrellasUmbrellas

• Both need stands– Table umbrellas can use a lighter base since the table will

provide some support– Free-standing umbrellas will need a heavy stand to keep them

upright

Tilting Patio UmbrellasTilting Patio Umbrellas

• Offer more options for shade• Sun will strike the patio early and stay later• Can tilt with the movement of the sun so you can have shade at any time of

day– This way, your patio table can remain in the shade, and you won't need to

move your table and chairs to chase the shade. • Come in a few varieties:

• Buttons at the top of the umbrella• In the frame underneath the rib hub • In conjunction with crank handles.

BASE (STAND) SIZING SUGGESTIONS

Shade Size (ft) Positioning MINIMUM Base Size Suggestions (lbs)

4.5 Thru Table 304.5 Free Standing 406 Thru Table 306 Free Standing 507.5 Thru Table 307.5 Free Standing 508 or 8 x 10 Thru Table 50 8 or 8 x 10 Free Standing 759 Thru Table 509 Free Standing 756.5 x 10 Thru Table 506.5 x 10 Free Standing 7511 Thru Table 5011 Free Standing 75

Citations - ResourcesCitations - Resources• For more information, please see our complete buying guide• Where to buy patio umbrellas? Find the latest deals on patio umbrellas at our

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