Help With Choosing the Right Outdoor Patio Umbrella for Your Needs
January 8, 2010
Well, summer is upon us and if your yard could use a a bit of work you are not by yourself. The winter months can be harsh to our patio furniture and if you don’t have money growing on trees in your yard there are some easy ways to refresh your yard. One of the most familiar outdoor accessories is the patio umbrella. These days, you are not limited to a green or beige outdoor patio umbrella for your backyard. Outdoor umbrellas come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors which can really make a statement. From contemporary to traditional you can find a great match to your existing outdoor décor. Here are some guidelines on how to find the perfect patio umbrella for your needs.
First, you should figure out what size patio umbrella you require. This can be completed with the help of a tape measure. If you need your outdoor umbrella above a table what you should do is move your chairs out as far as they would be if your friends were sitting in them. Then find your measuring tape, have one person hold one end at the central point of your table and then walk around your table and chairs noting the distance you are from the center of the table. For example, if you have a round table and you are having to walk at a distance of 4 ½ feet out from the center of your table, you have to double that distance which would mean that you would need a 9 foot patio umbrella. If you have an oval table and you are 4 feet out on one side and 5 ½ feet out on the end you should buy at least an 8 by 11 oval patio umbrella.
Since you have found out the size and shape umbrella you will need you need to determine the style. The two most popular styles are wood or aluminum, and it is basically personal preference as to which one you select for your yard. Aluminum patio umbrellas weigh less than wood umbrellas which make them a bit easier to handle. They also can be built with cranking mechanisms that make them easier to open and close. Wood patio umbrellas have a very traditional and elegant look and are a nice addition to existing wood furniture. They normally have manual lift systems or pulley systems to open and close them so there are fewer mechanical parts.
After you decide on which type of umbrella to buy you will need to look at fabrics and colors. The most familiar fabrics are Sunbrella, Olefin and Suncrylic. All of them have their own benefits whether it is price, warranty or that it is easy to clean. Sunbrella fabrics are the high-end fabrics because they are marine-grade and come with a 3-year warranty against fading. Olefin is a lower priced fabric that is easy to clean and comes with a 1-year warranty against fading. Suncrylic is a solution-dyed acrylic fabric that also easy to maintain and comes with a 1-year warranty against fading. When determining which fabric is the right choice for you, the most important thing to bear in mind is your weather conditions and how much time during the year it will be exposed to the elements. If your home is in a desert climate and tend to use your patio umbrella throughout the year, you may want to think about investing in Sunbrella fabric. If you are in a milder climate and only use your umbrella for a few months out of the year you can buy the Suncrylic or Olefin fabrics.
And make sure to find a color that speaks to you. There are tons of color choices available today, so go ahead and get a bit creative with your outdoor umbrella.
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