Patio Umbrella Buying Guide

Your choice of patio umbrella fabric will determine the durability and lasting beauty of your new patio umbrella and will affect the cost as well. Consider how often you will be using the umbrella when deciding how much you would like to spend. Take into account warranties and climate as well. Below are the fabrics we offer and their main features.

100% 8-oz. solution-dyed acrylic fabric with locked-in colors. Withstands sun, wind, and rain without fading, remaining beautiful for years. Water-repellent. During the finishing process, a water-repellent finish is applied to the fabric. Mold- and mildew-resistant. Tested and proven to provide up to 98% UV-protection. Three-year warranty against fading. Excellent for very frequent use. Solution-dyed Patio Umbrella Fabric: Durable, washable, and easy to clean. 100% 5.8-oz. solution-dyed fabric - good for outdoor use. Mold- and mildew-resistant. Two-year warranty against fading. Olefin Patio Umbrellas: 8-oz. solution-dyed fabric. High-density and light weight. Durable, abrasion-resistant, stain-resistant, and easy to clean. One-year warranty against fading. A good choice for value-priced, season-or-two use.

• Special type of polyester that is processed for high strength, uniform quality, colorfastness and smoothness.
• Similar to cotton in flexibility, but stronger and with better resistance to mold and mildew.
• The soft spun braid of the polyester is the highest strength S-braid available.
• Holds color up to 50% longer than most other synthetic fabrics.
• Provides all the advantages of polyester in a flexible construction that is suited for use in both marine and industrial applications.
• A value-priced quality fabric.

Offset vs. Freestanding Umbrellas Offset patio umbrellas are a more versatile choice than standard, freestanding umbrellas. These offset umbrellas feature cantilever designs with an offset umbrella base and a shade that extends over the desired area. For covering a seating area, hot tub, or patio table without an umbrella hole, offset patio umbrellas provide the shade you desire without obstructing the view. Freestanding umbrellas are the standard patio umbrella design: an umbrella pole that extends up to the center of the shade and down to the base, where it is secured in an umbrella stand. These are a reliable choice for general shade and the best option for patio tables with umbrella holes. We highly recommend an appropriate umbrella stand for stability wherever you use a freestanding umbrella. Generally, these patio umbrellas are more portable than their offset counterparts, which tend to be heavier and require weighted slabs to secure their bases.

Are you looking for a WOOD or an ALUMINUM pole?

• Shop Wood Patio Umbrellas for a Decorative Look. If you have a wood patio table or wood deck, a wood patio umbrella is a logical choice. Typically, these umbrellas have a manual or pulley lift, which can be somewhat harder to open, but the aesthetics are outstanding. Unlike aluminum umbrellas, wood umbrellas usually do not tilt or rotate.


• Shop Aluminum Patio Umbrellas for Functionality and Color Options. Aluminum poles are available in several popular finishes, including champagne, white, pewter, black, and more. Aluminum umbrellas typically have easy crank lifts and push-button tilts, which will allow the aluminum patio umbrellas to tilt in three directions.

Tilt Options Push-Button Tilt Umbrellas is found on the upper half of the umbrella pole. Once the umbrella is opened, you may push the button and tilt the umbrella in numerous directions. Crank Tilt Umbrellas / Auto Tilt Umbrellas is located at the actual crank of the umbrella. When opening the umbrella, you can continue cranking to achieve different tilt positions. Collar Tilt Umbrellas is the newest and easiest option. Simply turn the collar located above the crank to adjust. This feature allows you to set precise umbrella positions from the comfort of your seat, and you can choose from infinite positions to enjoy the perfect shade angle.

What SIZE patio umbrella are you looking for?

Click here to learn how to measure a patio umbrella.

The size of a patio umbrella is determined by its shade diameter. To choose a patio umbrella of proper size, determine the size of the table or area to be shaded.The general rule is the patio umbrella should be at least 5 feet larger than the area to be shaded. For example, a 48-inch table should have a 9-foot market umbrella or larger. Here's a handy guide for choosing a market umbrella for a table.

6-foot shade - covers bistro/cafe tables up to 30 inches

7-foot shade - covers bistro/cafe tables up to 36 inches

9-foot shade - covers round or square dining tables up to 48 inches

11-foot shade - covers round or square dining tables up to 60 inches and 72-inch oval and rectangular tables

Shop Wood Umbrellas by Shade Size

Shop Aluminum Umbrellas by Shade Size

Cleaning

Cleaning your patio umbrella is more or less the same regardless of its component materials. Begin by using a damp cloth to wipe away any dust or dirt. To remove tougher soiling, use soapy water before wiping down with a clean cloth. Avoid using chemicals, abrasive materials, or other harsh cleaning products, as these may cause undue damage to your patio umbrella. We recommend regular cleaning to keep your patio umbrella looking great and performing well.

Opening your outdoor umbrella

It may seem obvious, but taking care to open your patio umbrella properly can ease stress on your umbrella. When closed, typical patio umbrellas are set in a locked position. Before turning the crank or pulling the cord, we recommend pulling the ribs gently away from the pole. If the crank or cord resists, the umbrella likely remains in its locked position. Proceed with a gentle, consistent motion until your patio umbrella is fully opened.

Closing your outdoor umbrella

For crank-style patio umbrellas, simply crank in the direction opposite of opening, as indicated by the arrows on or near the crank handle. Continue with a smooth motion until your umbrella is closed. If you have a manual patio umbrella or a pulley-style umbrella held in place by a pin, push the umbrella up before attempting to remove the pin. This will relieve pressure and allow the pin to slide out easily. Be sure that there are no obstructions in the ribbing as you close your patio umbrella.

Helpful Tips

If the chance for inclement weather is high, we recommend closing the shade of your patio umbrella or storing it in a sheltered area if possible. Be sure to close your umbrella completely into its locked position and secure ties (if any) around the shade. Also, check that your patio umbrella is securely positioned in its umbrella stand. If sheltering your umbrella isn't an option, we suggest using a patio umbrella cover to protect your investment.

Storage is the best solution during foul weather. When doing so, store your patio umbrella in an upright position rather than on its side, which can cause warping of the ribbing. Even in storage, a protective patio umbrella cover is advisable, as it offers an effective defense against dust, dirt, mildew, and insect damage.

With a few considerations to care and maintenance, your patio umbrella will give you colorful enjoyment season after season.