7 Important Questions to Ask When Choosing The Right Patio Umbrella

“What do I need to know before buying a patio umbrella for my home?

Before we get into answering this common home decor question, let me first qualify myself as someone who knows just a bit more about patio umbrellas than your typical home furnishings shopper…at least from a business standpoint.

That’s because I used to work part-time at a big box home improvement retail department store as a side hustle to earn extra income.

My job title was “lead generator” and I was responsible for setting appointments with customers interested in getting free estimates on residential and commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services.

Shoppers also would frequently ask my opinion on all sorts of other home improvement products and services.

And one of the most popular home improvement items that seemed to fly off the shelf by the truckload were patio umbrellas.

How simple is it to choose a patio umbrella?

Unfortunately, buying an umbrella for your patio isn’t that simple if you don’t know specific details that best suit your backyard.

I’ve seen more than a few couples get into heated and extended arguments (that sometimes ended in tears, curse words, and a negative vibration) on which patio umbrella would work best for their home.

To avoid that awkward and avoidable situation from happening the next time you are shopping with your spouse for a patio umbrella at your local big box home improvement retail department store on a busy Saturday afternoon, consider these seven important questions to know when choosing the right patio umbrella for your home situation and outdoor lifestyle:

How will your patio umbrella be positioned?

In choosing your desired patio umbrella for your backyard, you should first consider where it will be placed to ensure it can actually provide shade where you expect it to go.

And that’s why the location of the patio umbrella is so important. The two main categories for location of the umbrella are the free standing design and the through-table model:

• Free standing patio umbrellas are used mainly in large outdoor areas. This type of patio umbrella can provide shade on different kinds of patio furniture of various shapes and sizes.

• Through-table patio umbrellas are pretty much what they sound like. This type is basically placed in the center of the patio table and is commonly used as focal point of the outdoor area.

What are you using for patio umbrella stands?

The stands are the support of your patio umbrella. The correct stand or base would depend on how you intend to use it.

In choosing the standard base of outdoor umbrellas, you should consider a heavy-duty support that could survive any weather.

Free standing patio umbrellas require heavier bases than through-table umbrellas.

What size patio umbrella are you looking for?

A good rule of thumb in calculating how much patio umbrella you need in diameter is to have at least 4 to 5 feet of additional umbrella coverage over the intended area.

In choosing the right size patio umbrella, be sure to measure the table, chairs, or overall space to be shaded.

What kind of umbrella frames are you using?

The two most popular options to choose from are metal and wood umbrella frames. You can choose the right frame depending on how you intend to use the umbrella and what style aesthetically matches the theme of your patio:

• Metal umbrellas typically use push-button tilts or a crank lift. This allows the umbrella to be angled in any direction. Most metal umbrellas are available in colored furnishes like black, champagne, or white.

• A wooden umbrella is typically opened manually using a pulley method and these types can not be rotated. Hardwood and teak is the most common type of wooden umbrellas you’ll find in big box home improvement retail department stores.

How does the patio umbrella tilt?

There are three methods in tilting the umbrella – collar tilt, crank tilt and push-button.

The collar tilt method is the most common and user-friendly. With this setup, the umbrella tilts when you rotate the collar that is also located on the frame.

What is the patio umbrella made out of?

The main purpose of your patio umbrella is to provide shade and comfort from a bright sun. But this is only possible depending on the materials of your canopy.

The most common materials used for canopy material are PVC, canvas, and shade cloth:

• PVC canopies are known for their toughness and can block 100% UV light while also surviving inclement weather.

• Canvas canopies are durable fabric capable of blocking out the sun effectively. While not always water resistant when purchased, they can but it could be treated with waterproofing spray.

• Shade cloth canopies block 90-95% of UV rays and while they can resist small amounts of rain, they are definitely not considered waterproof.

What are the different types of patio umbrellas to consider?

Your four main types of patio umbrellas you’ll commonly find in any big box home improvement retail department store are center pole, crank and tilt, cantilever, and pavilion:

• Center pole is the most common type of patio umbrella, so named because it is supported by a central pole. The ribs of the umbrella spread out from this pole. It is also highly advisable to place a center pole umbrella into a solid and heavy base for your umbrella stand.

• The crank and tilt design is similar to the center pole, but it features a crank device between the pole and canopy allowing you to rotate the angle of the shade umbrella. This is ideal for large outdoor areas because it allows you to block out the sun in any direction to provide welcome shade and comfort for your next gathering (and that’s a good thing, right?)

• The cantilever umbrella hangs to the side of the frame. It features a curved arm supporting only one end. This kind of shade umbrella is best for large areas with tables and chairs underneath the umbrella or near swimming pool deck furniture because it can be rotated 360 degrees, providing shade wherever it is needed.

• A pavilion is a square-shaded structure that is supported at every corner. This kind of patio umbrella is used for a large outdoor space that can shade the entire family and extended family. Most pavilions are also used in beaches or parks as temporary dining and entertaining areas.

Conclusion

The next time you find yourself in a big box home improvement retail department store looking for a high quality patio umbrella, make sure you know the answers to the seven questions above.

It can only help you increase your chances of finding the perfect patio umbrella to help provide shade, comfort, and protection for you and your loved ones in the comfort of your own home.