Choosing the right shade product for your outdoor space is essential. The experts at RONVIO are ready to assist you in choosing the best choice for you and your family.
Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind when purchasing an umbrella for your outdoor patio, balcony, terrace, or pool area.
Quality / Budget
Quality should be your first consideration, regardless of your budget. In a nutshell, you don't have to spend a lot on a good umbrella, but the old adage "you get what you pay for" is particularly true for an umbrella, which is often exposed to the elements such as wind, rain, heat, and, in some cases, salt air.
Make certain that the brand stands behind their products whatever your budget. Many "good deals" you find aren't what they appear to be. If you've ever been tempted to buy a cheap patio umbrella from a big box store, you've probably learned the hard way that the canopy fabric fades and tears, the canopy ribs break and are not replaceable, the pulley systems bind up or break, and the lightweight umbrella base is insufficient to keep the umbrella from flying up and out of your yard. If you intend to spend significant time on the patio, invest in a patio umbrella that will withstand the elements and provide shade for many years.
Climate / Wind Resistance
What kind of climate do you have?
Windy Locations – Because umbrella canopies function similarly to sails on boats, locations with high winds necessitate special considerations. Wind gusts can bend or break canopy ribs, snap poles, or pull umbrellas out of their bases and launch them three doors down. Here are some things to think about if you live in a windy area:
Purchase a high-quality patio umbrella with replaceable canopy ribs, a high pressure pole, and a heavy weight.
When not in use, keep your umbrella closed. And an umbrella cover can significantly extend the life of the canopy.
If you live near the ocean, consider a patio umbrella with an aluminum pole that will not rust or deteriorate in the moist, salty air. Look for canopies made of UV-protected, mildew-resistant, and easy-to-clean fabrics.
High Altitude – Higher altitudes bring you closer to the sun and more intense rays falling on your umbrella canopy. This can cause fading and accelerated deterioration over time. All of our umbrella canopies are built to withstand the elements, but Sunbrella fabrics in particular are known for their long-lasting color and UV protection, and come with a 5-year warranty against fading, mildew, and other issues. Spuncrylic fabrics come with a two-year warranty.
The wind factor will vary depending on where you live. But it is probably the most important factor to consider when selecting an umbrella because if it can't withstand the amount of wind in your area, the color doesn't really matter! Keeping this in mind, select an umbrella that will not blow over in a strong gust of wind. It is also discussed how important it is to have the proper foundation.
Some of our Bambrella brand products are rated up to 78 mph for areas with high wind, such as off a lake or on the ocean.
Size and coverage – What exactly do you want to shade?
Whether you're going to shade a whole table or just a couple of chairs, aim to cover an extra two feet on each side. So, if you have a round table with a diameter of 48 inches, you'll need an umbrella with a diameter of at least 8 feet. This is just a general rule of thumb.
A traditional market umbrella is probably the best choice for 2-8 person dining tables. These umbrellas have a weighted base and a center pole that mounts through a hole in the center of your dining table. These umbrellas have ribbed canopies and are operated by a crank or simple pulley system. Sizes up to 13 ft. are available. Many market umbrellas in diameter have a tilt feature for optimum shade throughout the day. Canopies come in a variety of fabric grades and colors.
Choose a canopy that is 5 feet larger in diameter than the area you want to shade for proper coverage.
NOTE: Umbrella diameter / pole size: Keep in mind the umbrella you purchase has the appropriate hole size for the table it will be placed on. While most patio tables have a standard umbrella hole of about 2 inches in diameter, some tables have larger holes, and a standard umbrella will move around too much in these tables. Some umbrellas, on the other hand, only come in large pole diameters and will not fit in a standard table.
Based on the areas you want to shade, a cantilever umbrella, also known as an offset umbrella, may be the ideal solution. These umbrellas not only rotate on their bases to provide coverage in adjacent areas, but they also tilt, allowing you to adjust the canopy's angle as the sun moves.
Height
Although most outdoor patio umbrellas are seven or eight feet tall, if you or someone in your family is tall, you may want to go higher. A "bar height" pole in many center pole umbrellas raises the canopy's height to fit in a bar or high top table.
Tilt Method
Because the sun's position in the sky changes throughout the day, it's critical to be able to adjust the position of the umbrella canopy. You can generally choose between a collar tilt, a crank tilt, and a push-button tilt; the ease of use varies. One of our outdoor experts can assist you in selecting the best one for you.
As previously stated, an offset / cantilever umbrella can provide tilt coverage, and there are various methods of titling functionality, as with standard center pole umbrellas.
Material
Aluminum, Natural Bamboo and Wood (teak) are mainly the materials of patio umbrellas.
Aluminum: Aluminum umbrellas are rust-free and come in a variety of finishes ranging from a chrome appearance to powder coated colors (bronze, black gold etc.) These long-lasting products are designed to withstand the harshest environments.
Bamboo: Comparing with wood, Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world. Sustainable and renewable. Made from 100% solid laminated Moso bamboo strips Bambrella’s bamboo umbrellas are naturally strong and very durable, with a tensile strength similar to steel. They are resistant to warping, splitting, rot, mold and mildew with No splinters or leaching.
Fabric
Don't forget to match your new umbrella to the rest of your patio furniture. No need to match everything completely, but keep in mind the other pieces so your new umbrella doesn't look out of place. Umbrellas Specialists carries a large selection of outdoor fabrics ranging from classic solids to vibrant stripes!
Warranty
While warranties vary by brand and can vary depending on usage (commercial vs. residential), our manufacturers provide some of the best warranties in the industry.
So if you wanna buy the right umbrella, give us a call today at (616) 797-8142 or Email at service@ronvio.com. Our experts are here to assist you every step of the way to finding the perfect shade solution.
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