These days, the use of patio umbrellas has extended beyond being mere backyard fixtures. Back in the days, patio umbrellas can be primarily seen in beaches and backyards, because these were the only areas where you will need sun protection on a regular basis.
However, you can easily spot establishments such as open-air cafés, small eateries, hotels, markets, and clubs using them as shades for their outside tables. Patio umbrellas have also evolved in terms of style, functionality, quality, and designs, making them perfect additions to both public establishment and private residences.
When choosing your own patio umbrella, make sure to consider some factors because there are different functions for public display use and for private collections. This guide will serve as a means to understanding the features of patio umbrellas as well as the types available in the market.
What are patio umbrellas for?
Most people assume that patio umbrellas are only good for sun protection. Though it is true that patio umbrellas are the best, beautiful, and colorful way to shade yourself from the sun during relaxing outdoor meals or lounging about, they can also be used to shield you from the rain.
Most residences with pools often install patio umbrellas for the residents’ protection. Patio umbrellas can easily be installed to outdoor tables in backyards, and they can also come in a variety of colors, which can match your house’s color scheme.
The difference between ordinary beach umbrellas and patio umbrellas are mainly the size and capability for mounting. Beach umbrellas are relatively larger than handheld umbrellas because they have to protect a person who is lying down on the beach. Some patio umbrellas are larger than beach umbrellas, but there are also those that are of the same size, depending on the needs of the customer. Since they are used for outdoor tables, patio umbrellas can also be mounted.
Finding the right size and price
The size of the patio umbrella is dependent on the use that you have for it. For instance, most patio umbrellas have sizes that range from six to eleven inches based on canopy size. These are fine for regular outdoor tables in your backyard or pool. However, for establishments that may have bigger sets of tables and chairs, so a custom-made umbrella would be better.
Custom-made patio umbrellas are more expensive because aside from the customized size, commercial designs will also be needed to make the umbrellas uniform to the establishment’s theme. Patio umbrellas for public establishments usually come in the cantilever or offset style because it makes for an elegant dining setup.
The price range for these patio umbrellas that are around six inches in measurements are usually around $50 to $100, without the commercialized logos and designs. Larger ones can cost from anywhere near $75 to $200. Those which are customized and are offset or cantilever types can even cost as such as $250 to $700. The more high-end types are sure to be higher, and you have to consider that the more expensive ones will have better fabric, materials, design applications, and the like.
Adding patio umbrella lights
Putting additional lighting to your patio can do the trick when it comes to finding the perfect finishing touch. Having patio lights with your patio umbrellas can give off an elegant look when paired with an outdoor dinner with wine, or it can give a pleasant slow summer night when hanging around with family.
In short, patio umbrella lights can build the ambiance for your backyard. There are two main types of patio lights, which are the string light and the umbrella ring light. String lights are usually those that are attached to umbrellas, either on the wood or metal frame of the umbrella. They can also be custom-made with special clips, depending on the manufacturer.
Ring lights are mounted around the umbrella pole, which makes a ring when lighted up. These patio lights can come as regular battery-powered or LED lights for long-lasting utility.
Types of patio umbrellas
There are different types of patio umbrellas on the market today. The key is knowing the functions that you need.
Market patio umbrellas
Intended for open-air cafés, market patio umbrellas first became popular in Europe in those quaint and dainty sidewalk eateries. They became more well-known in the United States because of their classy designs, and are primarily used for commercial purposes.
Because of their quality, they can protect customers from harmful UV rays. The inside of these patio umbrellas are usually made of aluminum and sometimes have simple mechanisms for opening and closing.
Commercial patio umbrellas
One of the most common types of patio umbrellas in public establishments, commercial patio umbrellas are usually made of durable hardwood poles, which you can mount on café or outdoor patio tables. Like the market type, these protect users from UV rays, though they are usually made of acrylic fabric. Depending on the features, you can get commercial patio umbrellas anywhere from $400 to $600.
Offset patio umbrellas
The name of this type is taken from the way its pole is position to the side, where it will curve away so that the pole is not in the way of the table. Offset patio umbrella are commonly used for cafés that have a different kind of seating plan for customers, so that they will not get in the way of food or conversation among customers. These are sometimes also known as cantilever umbrellas.
Tilt umbrellas
This is one of the more modern and unique types as it has the feature of allowing users to tilt the canopy in any direction to adjust the shade. Tilt umbrellas eliminate the problem of customers having no shade, because oftentimes, the angle of the sun makes a regular patio umbrella useless for customers sitting right underneath it.
Find the right type of patio umbrella for your establishment or your home now, and enjoy a summer cooling off under the shade when the sun and heat are at their peak.