Patio umbrellas may be one of most important outdoor decor pieces you’ll make. A beautiful, high-quality patio umbrella is certainly among the most desired outdoor furniture accessories because it brings your whole patio look together. And these days, they come in a wide-ranging selection of sizes, styles, weights, shapes, and forms. And how important is it to get a high-quality one? Well, if you’ve ever purchased a cheap personal umbrella (or watched any cartoon umbrella-related antics), you know you’re in for a bad surprise. But on the flip side, investing in a quality outdoor umbrella means more outdoor time spent enjoying conversations with close friends … instead of chasing umbrellas across the yard.
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The goal of this article is to make sure you’re not disappointed with your next patio umbrella. So, you’ll learn everything you need to know about patio umbrellas! If you read to the end, you’ll practically be an outdoor umbrella expert!
Before get in too deep, lets define the basic components of a patio umbrella (so you’re not surprised by any terms below). Outdoor umbrellas have 3 basic components:
These days, patio umbrellas come in all shapes and sizes. Like … a dizzying amount. So, how do you choose the right size umbrella for your outdoor space? Well, it primarily comes down to three things. You need to choose the right size for your umbrella’s canopy, pole, and base. But more importantly, you need to understand your outdoor space’s purpose and size. Not to mention your budget.
Take a few moments to think about your patio. Better yet, take a measuring tape out there and answer these questions:
Great. Now that you know what design challenges you’re solving with a patio umbrella, let’s dig in!
Let’s start with one of your most important decisions: canopy size. This is one of the most important practical decisions you’ll make. A too-small canopy will leave your guests all sunburned or rain-soaked. And choosing an oversized umbrella will be overwhelming and throw off the balance of your outdoor arrangement.
So what’s the right size? Your umbrella should typically extend over your dining table by 2 feet on each side. If you have a 4-foot rounded table, this means you need an umbrella that measures 8 feet in diameter. You can use these same measurements for chaise lounges or clustered club chairs. Just use their combined square footage.
Next up? Choosing a patio umbrella pole with the right diameter and height. Again, this decision has both a functional and aesthetic impact. Having to stoop down under an umbrella’s edge can be a constant annoyance.
Your patio umbrella pole diameter is crucial to your umbrella’s stability. Maximize your umbrella’s stability by making sure your umbrella pole diameter and base (opening) diameter are as close as possible while still fitting. If you’re installing your umbrella in a table with an umbrella hole, this same idea applies. We looked through our collection of patio umbrellas. Most have a pole diameter of at least 1.5″, with some as high as 2.5″. So, if you choose an umbrella with a pole diameter of 1.5″, your base should have a hole diameter of at least 1.5″ (and 1.75″ at the most). As a rule of thumb, your base diameter should not be more than .25″ larger than your umbrella pole.
Pro Tip: Beach umbrellas are slimmer than patio umbrellas, make sure you double check before purchasing!
Now for choosing the right umbrella pole height. You have a little bit of a needle to thread on this one. You want enough clearance so that taller guests don’t have to stoop down when they’re under the umbrella. Still, it can’t be so high that the shade covers your dog instead of you! In general, you want your umbrella to be at least 7 feet tall. Many umbrella poles have adjustable heights. And you can look for patio umbrellas with tilting or cantilever features to adjust where the shade lands. We’ll talk about that in the section below.
Repeat after me: “My patio umbrella base is functional as well as decorative!” It’s actually one of the most important factors. If your base is not heavy enough, your umbrella will flop and fly around in a strong wind. Here are our suggested Umbrella Base Weight Recommendations:
Those Santa Ana winds can wreak havoc on a backyard party. Don’t be that host who has to stand on the base of the patio umbrella every time the wind picks up. Instead, do yourself a favor and order one of these weighted patio umbrella bases that won’t move!
We highly recommend buying your patio umbrella in person, if possible. Being able to pick out an umbrella that’s the perfect fit for your patio while also finding the right base will make your life much easier in the long run. If you’re in the San Diego area, stop by our store. We’ll make sure you have the insider deets to make all the right choices.
So now you’ve sized up your patio umbrella. Let’s look at the types of patio umbrella you can choose from! And I gotta say, you’ve got quite a few options. Choosing the right patio umbrella is like picking the perfect sidekick for your outdoor adventures. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly, but don’t worry, I’ve got your back. And trust me, when you’re lounging in the shade with a cool drink in hand, you’ll be glad you took the time to find your perfect match.
Cantilever umbrellas often come with a 360-degree rotation feature. So, as the sun moves, you can swivel that umbrella around to keep the shade right where you want it. Plus, cantilever umbrellas often allow additional canopy shapes and sizes. This may be your best bet for covering a larger outdoor dining table or a group of clustered chairs. And their unique off-set base allows many cantilever umbrellas to be tucked away neatly when not in use.
Cantilevers are the ultimate option for those who want the best of the best. The heavy base helps stabilize it against wind. And a high-quality cantilever will sport heavy-duty, weather-resistant materials for everything from frame to fabric.
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Our recommendation: The 10′ Deluxe Square Cantilever Umbrella is one of the most popular models
Are you ready to geek out over patio umbrella features? These little extras are like the secret ingredients that take your shade game from “meh” to “oh yeah!” They’re the toppings on your sundae, the sprinkles on your donut, or the cherry on top of your already awesome patio setup. (Hmmm … I’m thinking I should grab some lunch soon.)
Okay, yes, I put tilting umbrellas in two different places in this article. It’s defining feature – the tilting hinge – is just that good. Being able to adjust the angle of your canopy gives it so much more utility as the sun moves across the sky. This simple-to-use feature keeps you from having to move your umbrella or other furniture to stay in the shade. All my thumbs are up.
Alright, let’s talk about a patio umbrella feature that gets overlooked a lot: the crank and pulley lift systems. Don’t sleep on this, folks, because your choice here will come into play nearly every time you use your umbrella. Why? Because it’s how you open and close your umbrella canopy.
So, let’s talk about the crank lift system first. The crank is the easier option of the two, but usually costs a touch more. You just grab the handle and give it a few turns. Boom! Canopy is raised or lowered. There’s not much more to explain here. It’s so easy, even your great-aunt Mildred could do it with her eyes closed (no offense to Great-Aunt Mildred, of course).
On the other hand, we have the pulley lift system. This one’s for those who like a bit of old-school charm with their shade. Or those who want to save a few bucks. You simply tug on a rope or cord to open your umbrella. Sometimes these can be a bit fiddly to tie into place, but most modern pulley umbrellas are well-designed.
The double-vented umbrella is modern technology’s response to the patio umbrella’s age-old enemy: high winds. Have you ever seen a strong gust knock over and ruin a nice outdoor umbrella, or completely invert it? Or have you been under a patio umbrella on a particularly hot day and felt like your umbrella was actually trapping the heat in with you? Well, double-vented umbrellas help prevent both of these by adding a clever little piece of canopy material at the top.
You see, “double-vent” refers to this second piece of material, which is designed to let air flow not only over the top of your umbrella, but through it, as well. Think of it like a tiny wind tunnel. The double vents work their magic by relieving the pressure underneath the canopy, preventing your umbrella from turning inside out or performing an impromptu Mary Poppins impression. Plus, the added ventilation helps dissipate trapped heat more efficiently.
These days, double-vented umbrellas are pretty common. For premium brands, it might be their only option because it adds to the longevity of the canopy.
Explore the Top Patio Umbrella Accessories for your umbrella!
Here’s an old outdoor design rule: the resilience and style of your patio umbrella is only as good as the materials its made from. Just like the fabrics of your outdoor furniture, your patio umbrella’s fabrics and materials will need to meet some all-weather requirements.
If you live in a particularly windy area, you may want to consider fiberglass umbrellas. They’re designed with flexibility in mind, so they bend slightl in the wind instead of just breaking. Aluminum is another highly-durable option. Some people really enjoy that classic wooden pole look. I’m not saying that’s a bad choice, but they certainly don’t last as long – or resist weather as well – as aluminum.
For umbrella fabrics, you’ll want to look for a few key phrases that will indicate a quality outdoor umbrella. All-weather, waterproof and UV resistant fabrics, and breathable designs that prevent mold and mildew are highly recommended. Sunbrella is the most well-known name in outdoor fabrics. They began making awnings in the early s. They now make fabrics for umbrellas as well. Learn more about Sunbrella Fabrics.
Just like the fabrics of your outdoor furniture, you need to ensure that the fabrics and materials used on your umbrella meet all-weather requirements. If you live in windy areas, you may want to consider fiberglass umbrellas that are flexible and are designed to bend slightly. Likewise, aluminum is very durable and is still a viable option.
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