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.