A patio umbrella is an effective solution to sheltering you, your family, and guests from the heat of the sun. It also protects your outdoor furniture from fading and damage. And if selected and installed well, it can act as a decorative element, sprucing up your exterior aesthetics.
Patio umbrellas are in high demand recently, with their global market predicted to hit USD$2.16 billion by 2030, growing at a 6.8% CAGR from 2023. Moreover, many people are continuously embracing outdoor living. About 90% of Americans acknowledge its benefits, claiming it’s valuable than ever before. (1, 2)
But to achieve the said perks, you must install the patio umbrella correctly. You understand the outdoors can be harsh to umbrellas, especially in speedy winds or heavy rains. This article outlines the essential steps you need to follow to safeguard your umbrella from these elements and ensure it serves you rightly.
Choose the Right Umbrella
Picking the right outdoor umbrellas goes a long way in fulfilling your shading and aesthetic needs. Firstly, make sure the umbrella is large enough to provide sufficient shade for all people seated under it.
A general rule of thumb is to ensure it extends at least two feet beyond the sides of the table. It should also be high enough so that tall people don’t have to bend when standing under it; usually not less than seven feet and not more than nine feet when fully raised. (3)
Next, choose a fabric material that’s weather-resistant. Options include 100% acrylic, polyester, acrylic, olefin, and canvas.
Here’s another important thing: the design should complement your outdoor aesthetics. Cantilever umbrellas, with their unobstructed shade, are ideal for covering seating areas. The tilting type provides protection from the sun as it moves across the sky. The likes of ship sails? They’re stretched over poles, offering a modern look. And lastly, table umbrellas are designed to go through a hole in the middle of a patio table.
At the end of the day, all you want is something that ticks all the boxes. You can easily find one from a reputable supplier of outdoor umbrellas. They should be your go-to for your shading needs, what with their wide range of premium-quality selection.
Choose the Right Umbrella Base
A secure base makes the outdoor umbrella stable against strong winds and heavy rain. It should be weighty enough for sufficient support.
The weight is determined by the size of the umbrella, whether it’s mounted through a table or is freestanding. A table helps hold down the umbrella, reducing the required weight of the base. The base should also be proportional to the umbrella pole.
Below is an outline of the minimum recommended base size for different umbrella sizes:
- 1.83 meters (6 ft): 14 kg (30 lbs) through table, 23 kg (50 lbs) freestanding
- 2.29 meters (7.5 ft): 14 kg (30 lbs) through table, 23 kg (50lbs) freestanding
- 2.44 meters (8 ft): 23 kg (50 lbs) through table, 34 kg (75 lbs) freestanding
- 2.74 meters (9 ft): 34 kg (75 lbs) through table, 41 kg (90 lbs) freestanding
- 3.35 meters (11 ft): 41 kg (90lbs) through table, 57 kg (125 lbs) freestanding
Regarding material, you’ve got a variety of options. Cast iron is popular for its weight and corrosion-resistant properties. Steel has high strength and is quite durable, too. Concrete can withstand harsh weather conditions and offers excellent stability.
Some patio umbrella bases come with built-in wheels or handles that allow you to move them around. Mobility is critical, especially if you have to adjust your umbrella’s position throughout the day to cast shade where needed.
Lastly, choosing the right style is crucial for better aesthetics. You can go for simple and functional bases or more decorative and ornate ones that complement your outdoor decor.
Assemble Your Umbrella
Patio umbrellas usually come with a user manual. Read this word for word to get the exact steps you must follow for installation.
Depending on the type of patio umbrella you bought, the ribs may be already set up or you may have to do it yourself. These are the webby metal or wooden rods that stretch out from the central pole to the perimeter of the fabric to give it a far-reaching spread.
If your umbrella doesn’t come fixed, lay out the ribs flat on the floor with their underside facing up, and then drape the canopy fabric over these ribs, making sure to align the edges of the fabric with the ribs. Slide the ribs into the corresponding pockets on the fabric to secure them in place.
With the umbrella top ready, you can now screw it onto the pole using the provided screw set. Next, insert the pole into the hole on the base. Use fasteners or anchoring bolts for this.
Fasten the velcro straps to the frame to prevent the patio umbrella fabric from flapping or flying away, especially if it’s windy at your home.
Open Up Your Umbrella
Take the patio umbrella to the chosen place and open it up using the one-touch button. Use the crank lift system to properly position the canopy against the sun or wind for the best cover. You may want to add some cement or sand to the base for more stability for those extra windy days.
Conclusion
Setting up a patio umbrella is pretty straightforward. You can usually do this yourself in just a few minutes or hours. But even so, don’t hesitate to engage professional installers for gigantic umbrellas or overly windy conditions. And once set up, enjoy your time unwinding, whether playing a game of cards, simply cooling off, reading your favourite novel, chatting with pals, or eating a sumptuous dish.
References:
- Patio Umbrella Market Set for Robust Growth: Projected 6.8% CAGR, Reaching US$2.16 Billion by 2030, Persistence Market Research Source: www.finance.yahoo.com
- 2021 Trend Report: Outdoor Living Space is ‘More Valuable Than Ever Before
Source: www.prnewswire.com - The Best Patio Umbrellas for a Shaded Outdoor Space
Source: www.bobvila.com