If you have a patio, a patio umbrella can be a great addition. By having one you’ll be able to sit in your yard in the heat of the day without being in full sun. Relaxing under your umbrella will allow you to be outside and feel the breezes without suffering sunstroke. There are three basic styles of patio umbrellas to choose from: a table umbrella, an offset umbrella, and a freestanding umbrella in a stand. Each of these styles will provide you with a great deal of comfort.
Buying a Table with an Umbrella
Although most patio tables don’t automatically come with umbrellas, they do have special holes in the center where an umbrella can be added. Umbrellas come in many different sizes to fit whatever your needs are. You’ll find that some of the umbrellas on the market are as large as 13’ in diameter which would cover a pretty large table, and it would take a large table to be able to compensate for the weight of the umbrella.
Umbrellas for tables come in a rainbow of different colors as well as a few different shapes. You can buy them with metal or wooden poles. The umbrellas come with one year warranties, but they don’t cover wind damage. If you are going to want to leave the umbrella out on the table instead of storing it in the garage when not in use, you will need to buy an umbrella cover to protect it.
How About Having an Offset Umbrella?
An offset umbrella is one that’s on a stand, but unlike stand umbrellas, there’s an arm on the top of the pole that holds the umbrella out over an area near it. That way the stand doesn’t get in the way, because it’s always off to the side of what you’re doing. This is particularly great if you want to cover a section of a swimming pool or a hot tub.
Offset umbrellas come in many different styles and colors. You open and close them easily with a crank mechanism. The poles are usually aluminum, but you can find pricier models with cast iron bases. If you don’t have a base this heavy you will have to weigh the base with concrete blocks or bricks. The material used in the umbrellas has been specially-formulated to resist fading from being in the sun, so it will look nice for several years, especially if you cover it when not in use.
Freestanding Umbrella Stands
The umbrellas used in umbrella stands are basically the same as those used in table. However, the stands are weighted so that you will know exactly what size of umbrella it will hold. For example, if you had a 9’ umbrella, you would need a 75 pound stand in order to keep it standing in windy weather. If you are planning on transporting your umbrella and stand to a lake or beach, you’ll probably want something smaller that will be easier to carry.
Having a patio umbrella can extend the use of your patio into the heat of the day and the dark of night. Many umbrellas are equipped with lights for that late night poker game. There are so many different shapes, sizes, and colors available that you’ll be sure to find one that will look great with your patio décor.
Patio Furniture Related Article
Styles of Patio Decoration
Your patio is your own private world, and you can decorate it as uniquely as you like. You may want to base it around an ethnic theme, fit it out to provide the maximum in privacy, or make it a part of a flower garden. The...
