Choosing the perfect patio umbrella will have an instantaneous and profound impact on the look and comfort of your outdoor living space, adding a fun and vivacious visual “pop” while adding shade and shelter for your friends and family.
So, obviously, you should just go out and get one, right?
Hold on! When you’re buying patio furniture that lasts a lifetime, you’ll want to make sure you’re shopping smart. And when it comes to umbrellas, there are a few vitally important factors to consider that will make the difference between a “passable improvement” and “love at first sight”. In this guide, we’ll lay out how to shop, what to look for, and what measurements to consider to find the perfect umbrella for your patio. Let’s begin!
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The Importance of the Right Umbrella Size
When it comes to outdoor decor, the right sized patio umbrella can make a huge difference. Too often, shoppers underestimate the importance of proper umbrella sizing and purchase umbrellas that are not appropriate for their intended use. On one side, purchasing an umbrella that is too small may result in inadequate protection from the sun; on the other side of the spectrum, an umbrella that is too large could overpower or upset the balance of a particular area.
Proper sizing ensures complete coverage and design harmony. When selecting the right size patio umbrella, it’s important to consider three key elements: umbrella type, materials, and shape. Knowing what type of materials your umbrella is made from, as well as its two-dimensional outline will help determine the necessary area for adequate coverage equal to its surroundings. Additionally, correctly selecting an outdoor umbrella based on your environment is crucial to exposing yourself to the least amount of UV rays possible while still receiving sufficient shade and sun protection.
It is highly recommended to research and measure each area you plan to cover before selecting an outdoor umbrella — ensuring you factor in items such as table shape, seating layout, furniture height, and armrest clearances when making your selection. Sizing gets even more critical when looking at cantilever umbrella styles due to their extending arms which can cause obstruction if not positioned correctly.
By understanding the ins and outs of how to properly choose a patio umbrella based on size, material selection, and shape prior to purchasing one can lead to a successful and picture perfect outdoor experience.Â
Measuring Your Outdoor Living Space
When selecting the right size outdoor umbrella, it is important to ensure the dimensions of your patio or outdoor living space are taken into account. The amount of shade you need and the space required to store your umbrella will depend largely on how large an area you have. Even if your living space is smaller and you select a smaller umbrella, it should still be wide enough to provide ample coverage for those seated underneath.
When measuring your outdoor living space for a patio umbrella, there are several factors to consider. For example, if you plan to install a stand, it is important to make sure that your umbrella’s base will fit into the space, allowing for clearance and ensuring safe usage when in use. Furthermore, if your umbrella has an adjustable height pole, you should also measure from the highest point to the surface the umbrella will rest on. This ensures that there is sufficient draft room, both above and below, while also preventing any obstructions that might occur during use. In addition, you will want to measure the width of your table top in order to determine the canopy size needed; otherwise, it is likely that insufficient coverage will occur when seating guests around the table.
You will also want to look into any local regulations, or HOA rules, regarding how far away your umbrella must stand from trees or other structures in order to avoid any potential hazards. This is critical as some cities impose strict guidelines with regards to how much distance must be place between an umbrella and any permanent structure in order to prevent accidents from occurring.
Knowing these measurements in advance can help inform which style and size of patio umbrella is best suited for your outdoor living space. With that being said, it’s important not to forget about canopy shape varieties as well as base options available when selecting an outdoor patio umbrella.
Determining Ideal Height and Width of Umbrella
Determining the ideal height and width of an outdoor patio umbrella is a juggling act between practicality and aesthetics. On the one hand, a larger umbrella may be a blessing in disguise in terms of sun blocking abilities but can also take up more visual space in a limited area. On the other, smaller umbrellas are more subtle yet may not be able to provide enough shade for your area or use-case.
When determining the size of an outdoor patio umbrella, consider your purpose first – do you need something mostly for practical reasons or aesthetic purposes? The shape, material and pattern of the umbrella might all influence this choice. From here you can measure out how much physical space the umbrella will occupy. Consider any nearby furniture that may obstruct or be obstructed by your umbrella, as well as any indoor-outdoor flow considerations.
Different sizes of umbrellas will have similarly varied canopy diameters and heights. Generally speaking, you should opt for at least a 9 feet in diameter under normal conditions; this provides enough coverage for a gathering of people and an item like a full sized table, if needed. Additionally, make sure to pick a pole height according to your specifications; most standard tables can be accommodated with poles that measure anywhere between 6 feet and 8 feet tall.
To determine what size pole height is best for you, look at the height of your seating furniture when measuring from ground level to the top of it (this gives you an idea of necessary offset). Ideally, you want passersby to move easily beneath the canopy without bumping into it and those seated beneath it should remain completely shaded without having to bend their necks up too far or have their sight lines blocked.
Ultimately, correctly sizing an outdoor patio umbrella requires balancing practical and aesthetic needs – there needs to be enough shade coverage while maintaining suitable balance between low visibility and practicality. To find the ideal size for your needs, try to get an accurate measurement beforehand that takes into account all features on your patio and desired use cases. With these measurements you can then decide on the appropriate size umbrella for your location in order to ensure both adequate shade coverage and pleasing visual aesthetics.
Choose the Right Tilt Mechanism for Optimal Sun Protection
When selecting an outdoor patio umbrella, the tilt mechanism is an important factor to consider for ensuring optimal sun and UV protection. There are two main types of tilt mechanisms in patio umbrellas – manual push-button and crank open.
Manual push-button umbrellas feature a single button near the top of the center umbrella pole that raises the entire umbrella canopy for greater sun coverage and then pushes firmly to release the button when desired. This type of umbrella offers more control over the tilt angle than its crank-open counterpart. However, it also requires that someone physically push the release button each time it is desired to be moved into a different position.
The crank mechanism market umbrellas, in contrast, use a rotating handle at the base of the center pole to open and close and can even tilt up and down after being opened. Once again, the user has more control over the degree of shade coverage with this type of umbrella than with manual tilt mechanisms. The benefit of this style is that opening and closing doesn’t require physical effort, as you only have to turn a lever to move it into place; however, it cannot be as finely tuned as with manual push-button umbrellas.
When deciding between these two types of tilt mechanisms, consider how often you will be moving your outdoor patio umbrella to ensure optimal sun protection throughout the day and in different seasons. For frequent raisings, a manual push-button style may be better for more precise adjustment; for less frequent use, a crank-lift open might suitably serve its purpose.
The Treasure Garden brand of umbrellas is our leading seller of cantilever and tilting umbrella models.
Considerations for Umbrella Placement
When selecting the size of patio umbrella, its placement should be taken into account. The most important consideration is the amount of space available and the dimensions of what it will be placed next to. For example, if there is a table present then you should take note of its size and shape to make sure that a similarly-sized umbrella can fit over it. Similarly, if there are chairs around a table or along the edge of a pool, then you need to ensure your chosen umbrella will provide adequate coverage for all the seating.
On the other hand, when installing an umbrella in an area with no furniture, you should consider either the perimeter size of an area or objects like trees to determine its size. This way it can offer shade on a hot day and protect people from blocked sun rays. It’s also recommended to buy umbrellas with tilting capability so that you can adjust it as needed depending on sunlight direction.
Another critical aspect of location is height. This includes both stability and convenience for ambiance purposes. Make sure your umbrella base will be strong enough to hold up against strong winds, rain and snow as well as wide enough not to obstruct people’s view. If purchasing a freestanding model, calculate its weight accordingly so that it’s appropriate for the type of surface being used. Additionally, take into account how far an umbrella should extend outwards in comparison to surface heights in that particular environment. This can help create an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere which promotes relaxation whilst still providing enough shelter from the environment’s elements.
By considering factors such as placement, space availability and aesthetics before making a purchase decision, selecting the right size outdoor patio umbrella becomes much easier and more efficient. Taking these considerations into account will allow consumers to find an optimal solution that suits their needs and lifestyle.
Matching Umbrella Size to Table and Seating Area
When selecting an outdoor patio umbrella, matching the size to your table and seating area is important. A large patio table, such as a dining table, often requires an umbrella with a larger canopy to provide adequate sun protection. Smaller patio tables and bistro style outdoor tables work best with compact patio umbrellas. When considering an umbrella for seating only, opt for a larger model that can cover all of the chairs.
It is debated whether it’s better to have an umbrella slightly larger than the table or one that just fits over the top of the furniture. An oversized umbrella will adequately shade outdoor furniture arrangements, but some people feel it can make a deck or patio look cluttered and unattractive. On the other hand, a patio umbrella just slightly smaller than the surface area of the table offers a stylish and contemporary look without compromising sun protection. Ultimately, the decision of which size to choose comes down to personal preference and the layout of your outdoor space.
No matter what size you select, be sure there is enough room around the furniture to comfortably position your umbrella. Take into account any additional accessories you may want to place under the canopy before setting up your patio furniture and umbrella. With so many different sizes and styles available today, choosing the right outdoor patio umbrella doesn’t have to be difficult.
Umbrella Base Considerations and Weight Requirements
When selecting an outdoor patio umbrella, your base and the weight requirement for that selection is essential for placing the umbrella in a sturdy and safe position that will not blow away. Many consider forgetting about the umbrella’s base due to its often-overlooked size compared to the large, colorful umbrellas. However, this is definitely not something you want to overlook when shopping for a patio umbrella since it’s weighted base is what holds up your umbrella.
There are various types of umbrella bases or stands available. While some come with a finish match to your desired umbrella, others may be neutral colors so they can match any existing patio design. The most common type of stand involves a heavy filling material contained in a plastic shell, such as sand or water. This creates stability and will prevent tipping or movement of the umbrella due to strong winds or other environmental factors. Stands may also involve concrete blocks you place yourself around the pole of the umbrella prior to use; however, those are usually more suited for lighter umbrellas and not ones with high height or large canopies.
Each base has its own weight limit restriction that should be taken into account when searching for an umbrella. You’ll also want to consider placement conditions – such as concrete surfaces versus grass or dirt – before purchasing a stand for an outdoor patio setting. If you plan on storing your umbrella indoors during inclement weather, you may consider investing in a wall-mount base instead which prevents any kind of surface damage outdoors when the scaffolding isn’t in use.
Overall, it is important to understand both the purpose and compatibility of your desired outdoor patio umbrella when selecting one from a store’s shelf; don’t forget about the accompanying base or stand either! Taking into account size as well as any restrictions regarding material type/weight capacity can ultimately lead to a purchase that lasts years under proper care and maintenance.
Todd is a co-owner of Patio Productions and has worked extensively in the furniture industry since 2002, when he started a company that designed and manufactured bathroom vanities. He now has a hand in all online business operations, including keeping tabs on industry trends and making sure Patio Productions remains an innovative leader in the outdoor furniture space. He lives just outside of Denver, Colorado with his wife, two boys, and two dogs. They live on a lake where they can make the most of the outdoor lifestyle. His favorite patio furniture sets are his Harmonia Living sectionals.
