There’s a wide variety of outdoor umbrellas to choose from on the markets. Choosing the right umbrella can be challenging. There are many factors you need to take into consideration, like the space you want to use the umbrella, your budget, your preference, and so on. To help you make a better buying decision, we have listed some basic knowledge of outdoor umbrellas below for your reference.
Which type of outdoor umbrella should I choose?
There are 3 main styles of outdoor umbrellas: Market Umbrella, Beach Umbrella, and Half Umbrella. They are collectively called Center Pole Umbrella. Just as the name indicates, these umbrellas all have a straight pole that extends from the top of the canopy to the base. They are different in shape and design, you can choose based on your environment.
- Market Umbrella - It usually has a round or octagonal (square) shape, and is the most popular style of center pole umbrella that widely used by hotels, travel agencies, and holiday & restaurant businesses to provide shade and shelter for their customers while making a solid brand image.
- Beach Umbrella - As you can know from the name, this style of umbrellas is usually be used on the beach. They are usually designed in round shape with hanging valances, and can be easily inserted into the sand with a spiked base.
- Half Umbrella - This type of umbrella is perfect for shading balconies or small porches as it is constructed with one flat side, you can place it flush against a wall.
What frame material is better?
Wood, aluminum, and fiberglass are the 3 primary materials used to make outdoor umbrella poles and frames. They all have their characteristics, and the costs are also different.
- Wood - Wooden poles and frames would give you a natural, vintage, and sophisticated look. A well maintained wooden umbrella is a great decoration for your patio and garden. But the price would be quite high as they are usually made of costly raw materials like teak, eucalyptus, and bamboo. And they are also less durable compared to metal and fiberglass.
- Metal - Stainless steel and aluminum alloy are the most commonly used metals for outdoor umbrellas. Sleek, corrosion-resistant and durable, they are very suitable for outdoor using in any weather conditions. Compared to stainless steel, the aluminum alloy would be more popular as it is inexpensive, lightweight but still strong enough.
- Fiberglass - Fiberglass poles and frames are the most durable and flexible due to the characteristics of the material itself. It can be bent without breaking, therefore, is great for windy places, and will also be more expensive than the other 2 materials certainly.
What kind of canopy fabric is great?
When buying an outdoor umbrella, besides the visible aspects like the shape, size, pattern and colors, the quality of canopy fabric is what you should also pay much attention to. Good fabric for an outdoor umbrella would usually have characteristics like UV protection, water-resistant, and durability. Some common fabric choices include:
- Polyester - Polyester is durable, strong, and chemical-resistant. It dries faster than other materials, therefore, is ideal in rainy environments. And it can be dye-sublimated in almost any color.
- Acrylic - Acrylic is lightweight, soft, and can be easily dyed vibrant, colorful shades, but is sensitive to high temperatures.
- Olefin - Olefin fabric is stain-resistant and durable enough to withstand bleach and chlorine cleaning, but it doesn’t have the same fade resistance as Acrylic or Polyester fabrics. It is great for occasional outdoor use or for locations that are not exposed to full-time direct UV rays.
Selecting and purchasing the perfect umbrella takes time and consideration. Hope this knowledge will help take the uncertainty out of your buying decision and ensure that you can relax outdoors for years to come. If you have any questions or any great ideas want to share with us, welcome to send emails to sales@china-flag-makers.com.
