Friday 19 August 2016

Big Sun Umbrellas in NZ – A Source of Much Needed Shade

A large sun umbrella is a must in every domestic or commercial setting that has an outdoor area for people to utilise. It ensures that your outdoor area will be suitable for dining, entertaining, and relaxing, especially when it is hot. Big sun umbrellas in New Zealand are designed to provide large shade areas for outdoor settings including over furniture, tables and chairs. Some of the best sun umbrellas are the multi-mast cantilever type, which enables you to mount up to four cantilever umbrellas from a single mast. This way, you can effectively create a large shade using one, two, three or four square umbrellas or one to two octagon umbrellas.

Big sun umbrellas in NZ have large canopies that are made of high-quality, solution-dyed and colour-fast fabric. They come in a wide range of popular colours to fit with the surroundings of your outdoor situation. Some sun umbrellas have been wind tunnel tested to speeds of up to 90km/h. That way, you can be confident that your umbrella can withstand high winds when located in situations of high wind exposure.

Getting enough shade does not necessarily have to mean a larger canopy. While the size of the canopy matters, features such as UV protection should be considered, too. Even the largest sun umbrellas will not provide the highest-quality shade if they cannot protect you from the sun's UV rays. Ultraviolet light from the sun is a leading cause of skin cancer and other conditions like premature ageing, eye problems (i.e. corneal damage, macular degeneration, and cataracts) and sunburn. Of course, it is recommended you still wear sunscreen, even when you are using a big sun umbrella with at least UPF 40+ or UPF 50+. That way, you can ensure complete protection from harmful UV rays.

Some large sun umbrellas in NZ must come with the 'Confidence in Textiles' label, which certifies that the canopy is made of a fabric that is not harmful or toxic to your health and the environment. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends premium Sunbrella and Dickson acrylic fabrics on large sun umbrellas in New Zealand as part of your complete sun protection regime along with sunscreen and protective clothing.

Tuesday 26 July 2016

Beat the Summer Heat with Cantilever Outdoor Umbrellas – Shadowspec.Co.NZ

Summer tends to mean more time outdoors which in turn, exposes your skin to the sun's intense heat. However, you can still enjoy your favourite summer activities, lounging by the pool or wining and dining friends and family in your outdoor area as long as you take some protective measures. Such measures include wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and spending time in the shade such as under outdoor umbrellas. If you plan to spend a lot of time lounging outdoors then you should consider purchasing cantilever outdoor umbrellas. High-quality cantilever outdoor umbrellas can both help you beat the summer heat and protect you from the adverse effects of overexposure to the sun's UV rays.



Cantilever outdoor umbrellas are practical if you want a more aesthetically pleasing shade with minimal interference in your usable area. Unlike typical outdoor umbrellas with the pole in the centre, the cantilever umbrella's shade canopy extends from one side while attached to a free-standing pole. They are an elegant addition to a home or commercial setting, while providing a comfortable place to unwind and relax. Operation can be both easy and fluid, with such designs available that allow you to open or close the umbrella in one easy sliding movement. For larger areas or more versatile configurations, consider multi-mast cantilever umbrellas, can mount 1,2, 3 or 4 umbrellas on just one pole and utilise gas strut technology to enable opening and closing of the umbrellas with ease.

High-quality cantilever outdoor umbrellas effectively filter UV rays by up to nearly 100 percent, depending on the colour of the canopy. The canopy should be made of 100 percent solution-dyed fabric, usually Sunbrella or Dickson Acrylic, which is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as part of a complete sun protection regime. The fabric has a 7-8/8 colour fastness rating and a waterproof rating of >300mm. It is easy to care for, since it resists mould growth and is water repellant, but you have the option to wash and replace it when needed.

You can purchase commercial sun umbrellas from reputable providers like Shadowspec, the most trusted and quickest responding retailer of luxury umbrella systems in New Zealand. Be sure to explore the selection of trouble-free, premium quality, and attractive cantilever outdoor umbrellas by Shadowspec and get in touch with its friendly team of experienced umbrella experts for discussion on your situation and requirements and a recommendation on the best outdoor umbrella for your needs.

Thursday 16 June 2016

Add Shade and Style to Your Patio Using Outdoor Umbrellas

Toss out the old, tired umbrellas on your patio and invest in high-quality outdoor umbrellas to give your outdoor area a fresh, modern facelift. You can choose from three main types:

1.    Centre pole – This is the common type of umbrella with a pole in the middle, which can be slid into a table with a hole in the middle or into a concrete base.

2.    Wall-mounted – As the name suggests, this type of umbrella is mounted off a wall. It is designed for smaller outdoor areas or those with limited ability to mount on the ground.
   
3.    Cantilever – One of the most versatile outdoor umbrellas, the cantilever also frees up floor space in the key areas because the pole is to one side (rather than in the middle). Another advantage about the cantilever-style is that some models have the ability to mount multiple (up to four) umbrellas off the one pole.

Common umbrella shapes are square and octagonal. If you want to create a rectangular umbrella shaded area which actually suits many applications, opt for ‘multi-mast’ cantilever umbrellas that attach two square canopies off the one mast/pole, thus creating a rectangle umbrella in effect but still with only one cantilever pole to the side of the umbrellas. You can also configure a multi-mast cantilever umbrella to make an L-shape (with 3 umbrellas) or a large square (with 4 umbrellas). All these adjoining cantilever umbrellas can be interconnected with optional rain gutters thus forming a completely covered area without any gaps between the umbrellas.

Outdoor umbrellas should be stylish and functional. If you live in a coastal area, opt for high-wind performance umbrellas that can withstand winds up to 90km/h. If you are the type to enjoy the outdoors from dawn till dusk, choose a rotating and tilting umbrella option allowing you to adjust your outdoor umbrella during the day to suit the angle of the sun.

Also consider an option that offers LED Lighting built in to the umbrella frame, allowing you to enjoy the warm summer evenings and creating classy ambiance when the sun has disappeared.

Make sure that your outdoor umbrella offers SPF 50+ protection. Choose canopies that are made with Sunbrella or Dickson acrylic, which is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. You might also want to check the OEKOTEX rating of your outdoor umbrella canopy to ensure it is environmentally friendly. Ensure that your umbrella is supplied with a protection cover to use over the umbrella when collapsed down as this will greatly increase the longevity of the umbrella and keep it looking crisp and smart.

5 Reasons Why Commercial Outdoor Umbrellas Are an Excellent Outdoor Shade Solution

Any commercial property with an outdoor area, used as a café, bar or restaurant benefits from installing outdoor umbrellas that can provide an extra seating area for customers. Commercial umbrellas provide a shaded retreat in the heat of the and are a great way of maximising the appeal of your outdoor area and thus a sure-fire method of increasing your customer numbers. While residential-type umbrellas are satisfactory for domestic applications, for commercial applications there are no shortcuts - commercial outdoor umbrellas are a must to ensure the safety of your customers. Here are five reasons why:



1.    High-quality materials – Commercial outdoor umbrellas are constructed with commercial grade and commercial strength aluminium. Together with marine grade stainless steel and brass components, these combine to create a high-end commercial grade umbrella. Commercial outdoor umbrellas will also have high performance components such as the hub and fittings to ensure longevity and durability after extended use.

2.    Durable fabric – Dickson and Sunbrella Acrylic is an excellent commercial outdoor umbrella fabric that promises UPF 50+ protection. This type of fabric is so effective in resisting UVA and UVB rays that even the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends it.

3.    OEKOTEX rating – Inferior quality umbrellas will likely use environmentally harmful substances in their canopy fabrics. Commercial outdoor umbrellas of superior quality will use canopy fabrics that have been tested and approved by OEKOTEX to ensure the fabric does not contain toxic substances that may present hazards to skin, health, or the environment.

4.    Removable handles – Only your employees will be able to operate the commercial outdoor umbrellas. Simply remove the winder crank handle of the umbrella to prevent kids from playing with them and to provide a safe environment for all.

5.    Professional installation – With commercial outdoor umbrellas, you can choose from 3 expert fixing options. For new areas you can create a concrete footing to use an in-ground fixing. If you already have an existing concrete surface or a wooden deck, opt for a surface plate fixing. For those who tend to change the placement of their outdoor area or prefer to store their commercial umbrellas away at night, portable bases with swivel wheels work best.