Outdoor umbrellas are staples on patios and decks when the weather warms up and dinner is cooked on the grill. It is an essential accessory to the nice set of furniture that adorns your outside living space. The question is, when shopping for an outdoor umbrella what are your choices? What one is best for you? How do I know what type of umbrella I should buy?  Luckily there are several in all price ranges to fit your needs and budget.

Outdoor patio umbrellas are built with three main types of material metal, wood, and fiberglass. All of them have their strengths and weaknesses. Cost and style will determine what type to go with, along with the fabric used for the umbrella canopy. There are also several types to choose from free standing umbrellas, outdoor furniture umbrellas that fit into your outdoor table, and cantilever outdoor umbrellas. The last one mentioned is a special type of free standing umbrella that hangs off an offset arm so its angle can be adjusted to provide optimal shade for everyone. It does not require a patio table to be used and is also great for providing shade for lounging by the pool away from a table. If you do plan to move your umbrella you will want to make sure it is easily moved.

The cheapest umbrellas made with aluminum ribs. They are lightweight and are of course inexpensive. The drawback to aluminum ribs is they can become bent in strong winds and if they can’t be repairs easily you will need to replace the umbrella. Models made with more durable material like stainless steel is available but at a higher cost due to their strength and resistance to rusting. While they are less likely to bend than aluminum the threat is still there so they are best used for areas that don’t see strong winds.

Fiberglass ribbed umbrellas are next in line pricewise. They still will have a metal or wooden pole, but the ribs for the canopy will be fiberglass. The drawbacks are the cost, but they won’t rust and are much more durable than metal in windy continuous. Many commercial outdoor umbrellas have fiberglass ribs.

Umbrellas with wooden ribs run the gamut price wise and can fall into the inexpensive and really expensive category depending on wood type. The only real drawback to wood is that inexpensive wooden umbrellas will not last forever if left exposed to the elements year round. If you live in a cold climate you will want to take them indoors for storage to prevent cracking and warping because of the moisture and ice. However wood is a classic material and can add a bit of class and style to your patio or deck.

There are two important items left to think about when shopping for umbrella. The canopy material and how you open and close the umbrella. The type of system to open and close the umbrella is a personal choice. There are no real advantages to any of them. The systems are a winch, rope and pulley, and in the case of some smaller light weight umbrellas the typical push system can be found. The real item to look for is the canopy material. The material types available are PVC (Plastic), acrylic canvas, polyester and something called shade cloth. Each has their uses and all block all or some of the UV rays from the sun, and some are less waterproof than others. PVC canopies are 100 percent waterproof and block the most UV rays, at or close to 100 percent but will fade over time. Acrylic canvas is a heavy duty canvas that will hold up well in rain and is fade resistant, and blocks a good amount of UV rays. Shade cloth does exactly what its name suggests, provides shade and blocks 90 plus percent of UV rays but is not a waterproof material. Last is Polyester, it is cheap so it will be found on inexpensive umbrellas. It is light and does a good job protecting you from UV rays and is only mildly waterproof and it is not its strength. Where you live and how you intent to use the umbrella and your budget will determine what type of material you will want to go with so think about this when you’re shopping.

Keep these tips in mind when shopping for outdoor umbrellas. Making sure you get the right type, right frame and rib material, and right canopy material for your needs is important. Buying the right umbrella for you will ensure years of happiness with your outdoor decor.

Outside lounge areas wouldn’t be complete without patio umbrellas. These umbrellas are a fair weather staple. They provide protection against the sun’s harsh rays and help to cool you and your guests off with a blanket of shade on a hot summer’s day. A patio set just wouldn’t be complete without a quality outdoor umbrella. They are available in different colors, lengths, widths and designs to match the other patio furniture in your collection.

Purchasing outdoor patio furniture umbrellas is a fairly simple process. You need to know a few things before you make your purchase though. First you should measure your table to see how big you want your umbrella to be. You want to purchase an umbrella that is big enough in circumference to provide shade to all parts of the table.  Second, when picking your umbrella make sure to choose a style that compliments that rest of the patio set. There is a large variety of patio umbrellas in a number of different styles. From island cabana to French provincial style there is an umbrella to suit your personal style and patio décor. Third, make sure to purchase high quality patio umbrella bases. Patio umbrella bases are available in a variety finishes and are made of different materials. Theses bases can be purchased in fiberglass, plastic, steel or concrete. Depending on the size and weight of the patio umbrella some bases are more preferable than others. Some of the lighter weight bases such as the fiberglass and plastic can be filled with water or concrete to provide more stability for the patio umbrella. Other bases can be bolted down for stability.

An outdoor patio umbrella doesn’t necessarily have to be attached to a table. There are a number of outdoor patio umbrellas that are very portable and freestanding while providing optimal shade coverage. The cantilever umbrella is a great example of this type of umbrella. A cantilever umbrella is a portable umbrella that usually has a metal frame and a firm base. This umbrella has a crank that allows the user to easily open and close the umbrella. In addition, most of these umbrellas have a tilt feature that allows the user to change the slant of the umbrella.  The umbrella itself can be made from a variety of different fabrics but most are made from durable polyester or cloth. Another option for freestanding outdoor patio umbrellas is the freestanding awning. Similar to cantilever umbrellas in its extensive coverage, freestanding awnings have heavy duty metal construction with a large canopy that can be titled in the desired direction.

Patio umbrellas can range in price to the very inexpensive to the very pricey. It is best to pick an umbrella that will provide the best shade coverage, blends well with the other patio furniture and is made a durable material. If you are going to invest in an umbrella it is best to pay a bit more and purchase one that can withstand many years of use. Also, it is recommended that you purchase your patio umbrellas from a local dealer as it allows you as a consumer to see the umbrella up close and to determine if the construction and style is to your liking.

There is nothing better than lounging in the backyard, sipping lemonade and reading a book on a warm summer’s afternoon. The experience is even better while lounging under your choice of quality patio umbrellas.