24 Aug 09 From Fabric to Styel Know How to Select the Right Patio Umbrellas

Well, summer is here and if your patio could use a freshening up you are not by yourself. The winter months can be harsh to our patio furniture and if you don’t have money growing on trees in your yard there are some inexpensive ways to renew your patio. One of the most common outdoor accessories is the patio umbrella. These days, your choices are not limited to a green or beige outdoor patio umbrella for your backyard. Outdoor umbrellas come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors which can make a bold statement. From contemporary to traditional you can find a nice match to your existing outdoor d?cor. Here are some guidelines on how to find the right patio umbrella for your needs.

First, you should figure out what size patio umbrella you require. This can be easily done with the help of a tape measure. If you will be using your outdoor umbrella over a table what you have to do is move your chairs out to about where they would be if your friends were sitting in them. Then get your measuring tape, have one person hold one end at the middle of your table and then walk around your table and chairs writing down the distance you are from the center of the table. For example, if you have a round table and you are having to walk at a distance of 4 ? feet out from the center of your table, you should double that distance which would mean that you would need a 9 foot patio umbrella. If the patio table is oval and you are 4 feet out on one side and 5 ? feet out on the end you will need at least an 8 by 11 oval patio umbrella.

Since you have determined the size and shape umbrella you will need you need to determine the style. The two most common styles are wood or aluminum, and it is basically personal preference as to which one you select for your patio. Aluminum patio umbrellas tend to be lighter than wood umbrellas which make them a bit easier to handle. They also tend to have cranking mechanisms that make them easier to open and close. Wood patio umbrellas have a very traditional and elegant appeal and work well with existing wood furniture. They normally have manual lift systems or pulley systems to open and close them so there are fewer mechanical parts.

After you decide on which type of umbrella to purchase you will need to look at fabrics and colors. The most common fabrics are Sunbrella, Olefin and Suncrylic. All of them have their own benefits whether it is price, warranty or that it is easy to clean. Sunbrella fabrics are the high-end fabrics because they are marine-grade and come with a 3-year warranty against fading. Olefin is a lower priced fabric that is easy to clean and comes with a 1-year warranty against fading. Suncrylic is a solution-dyed acrylic fabric that also easy to maintain and comes with a 1-year warranty against fading. When choosing which fabric is the right choice for you, the most important thing to take into account is your climate and how much time during the year it will be in the outdoors. If your home is in a desert climate and tend to use your patio umbrella the entire year, you may want to consider spending a bit more on Sunbrella fabric. If you are in a milder climate and only use your umbrella for a few months out of the year you can purchase the Suncrylic or Olefin fabrics.

And remember to pick a color that speaks to you. There are lots of color choices available today, so don’t be afraid to get a bit creative with your outdoor umbrella.

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