Buying the Right Patio Umbrella
April 12, 2010
Many of us wonder how to pick the correct sized outdoor umbrella for their backyard. They may feel they only want a 6 foot outdoor umbrella,outdoor patio umbrella, merely to discover that it really doesn’t provide the total amount of shade that they truly want. The correct way to select the perfect size outdoor umbrella is to measure the space to decide on the size of shade you will need to keep things cool. You can commonly assume that if the sun is directly above, patio umbrellas will shade about half of their whole size to each side of the umbrella pole. For example, a nine foot outdoor umbrella will shade a distance of about four and a half feet from the midpoint.
To begin measuring for the amount of shade you would like your outdoor patio umbrellas to cover, go to the center of the area you want shaded. Begin with a measuring tape at the midpoint of the space you are looking to shade and extend it out to half the distance of the umbrella size you think you would like to select. If you think you want a 9 foot outdoor umbrella, you must measure out a space of a little over 4 feet. Now you will go around the midpoint of the area 360 degrees to know what particular area will be shaded when the sun is straight above the shade of the umbrella. Also, keep in mind the path of the sun. As the sun is lower in the horizon throughout the day, the size and shape of shade will change. Now, here is important information note: most manufactures determine their umbrella size by measuring the actual rib arm length and multiply it by two. However, the majority of outdoor umbrellas are not true to their size in width, because the rib arms are not usually totally extended straight out to the side so you will typically lose a few inches in shade proportionally. Also, you’ll want to remember that if you are purchasing your outdoor umbrella for a bar table, you will need to ensure it has a bar height crank so you can open the umbrella while placed in your bar table. This is typically a feature that is offered with most patio umbrellas, but you can always ask about it if it is not featured with the product.
When you are considering shading an outdoor dining area you can use these guidelines for your wood or aluminum patio umbrellas: a 6 foot canopy will cover a café table of about 30 inches and one to two chairs, a 7.5 foot patio umbrella will cover tables up to around 36 inches, and two to four chairs, a 9 foot shade usually covers tables up to 48 inches and four to six chairs and an 11 foot shade will cover larger tables, up to 60 inches round or square, or 72 inches oval or rectangular, and six to eight chairs.
Hopefully, these tips can aid you in picking the perfect wood or aluminum patio umbrellas to meet your needs, the first time, and protect you from any disappointment. Taking a few steps up front will help to guarantee that you pick the perfect outdoor umbrella for you and protect you from getting a patio umbrella that isn’t just what you need. Remember, it is always better to go a little larger if you are not sure.
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