How to Pick a Patio Umbrella

Clear skies are always a good time for a picnic or barbecue, even in the comforts of your home. Yet, no way would anyone entertain the thought of basking in scorching heat and, worse, intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Installing shade sails is an option, but what if you don’t have the space or budget for one?

Patio umbrellas are the next best thing. They may provide less shade than shade sails, but they’re ideal if all you need is shade for the common area. Depending on the size and form, these giant umbrellas can protect a complete outdoor furniture set – table, chairs, and all. They’re also easy to fold when not in use to protect them from weather damage.

First things first, though – and it’s the hardest: picking the right patio umbrella Brisbane homeowners need. Fortunately, this guide will help you go through every consideration before buying one.

Canopy Shape

An outdoor umbrella’s performance hinges on how much shade and UV protection it can provide. The larger the canopy, the more area is within the shade. That said, the canopy’s shape is also a key consideration.

Our patio umbrellas in Brisbane come in two shapes: square and octagonal.

A square-shaped canopy consists of four sides. Its main advantage is its larger coverage, around 30% more than its octagonal counterpart. If you put an octagon on top of a square, you’ll notice that the latter has extra coverage near the corners. The straight corners also make positioning the umbrella next to a wall or tall fence easy.

That said, a larger canopy is a double-edged sword. For starters, it means that the umbrella has a larger surface area for catching the wind. As a coastal city, Brisbane is no stranger to gusts, especially when there’s an active cyclone.

Because of its smaller surface area, an octagonal canopy has better wind resistance. This translates to shorter ribs for more equal weight distribution and less fabric for a lower price than a square canopy. In addition, with double the sides, the canopy retains a symmetrical look when rotated.

However, the reduced coverage leaves gaps where heat and UV radiation can enter from above. If you want the same coverage as, say, a four-metre square patio umbrella, you’ll need a five-metre octagonal umbrella. We did the math in a previous blog post, so check that out when you have the time.

Pole Placement

Patio umbrellas are also categorised according to the position of the pole. There are three types of such in the market, all of which we provide.

The first is the table umbrella, also called an outdoor market umbrella. This is common in cafes and restaurants with outdoor dining areas and poolside benches, either free-standing (mobile or anchored) or fixed to the table. However, the canopies are often non-adjustable, so they can’t adapt to the sun’s movement throughout the day.

A tilting umbrella solves this problem by enabling the canopy to tilt to block incoming light and UV rays throughout the day. However, as it still uses a centre pole, its tilt is limited to the pivot joint along the pole. Said joint can also be a point of failure, especially when the umbrella is left open in a thunderstorm or as a cyclone passes.

For all-around protection, you have a cantilever umbrella. Unlike the other two types, this one has the pole on the side, and the canopy is held from above. The design offers several advantages over traditional outdoor umbrellas.

• The lack of a centre pole grants extra space underneath the canopy. A patio table can be positioned in the shade while still providing ample room for outdoor lounge furniture.
• Provided sufficient space, a cantilever umbrella can be rotated 360 degrees. Paired with a large enough canopy, it can provide more encompassing sun protection.
• With the pole on the side, the umbrella is able to offer full protection even if placed next to a wall or fence. It also enables shade in the pool without being in the water.

Due to its intricate engineering, however, a cantilever outdoor umbrella carries a hefty price tag. Furthermore, our cantilever umbrellas must be fixed to the ground to ensure maximum stability, so they can’t be moved after installation. We recommend thinking carefully where to put one in your home or commercial property to avoid regretting it later.

Canopy Fabric

The frame is only half of the formula for the ideal outdoor umbrella. The other half involves the choice of fabric for the canopy. If anything, a fabric can still shield you from the sun without a frame, but a frame without the fabric is pointless.

The market is rife with various fabric types, and for those in search of a heavy duty canvas patio umbrella Brisbane homeowners can rely on, understanding these options is key. Here’s a summary of our canopy fabric options and their respective pros and cons.

Being a long-term investment, you’d want a long-lasting fabric for your outdoor giant umbrella. If money is a problem, you can settle for a low-cost option as a stopgap. Once your budget is large enough or the fabric has reached the end of its service life, consider upgrading to a more durable and reliable alternative.

Wrapping Up

Planning your dream outdoor giant umbrella isn’t easy. Nevertheless, considering every key factor is important to feel confident about such an investment. On a related note, you can always call our experts for sound advice on choosing the perfect patio umbrellas Brisbane has to offer.