24 Oct 09 From Fabric to Style Know How to Select the Right Outdoor Umbrella

If you are hoping to find an inexpensive way to revise the look of your patio it can be easily accomplished by purchasing a beautiful patio umbrella. You will be very astonished at the difference a vibrant colored patio umbrella can make to a dreary yard, or how finding a great match for your current d?cor can give your patio a updated look. Deciding on the right size, color and type of patio umbrella can seem supply you with here are some of the basics that will help you choose the right type of umbrella.

The first thing to consider when you are searching for an outdoor umbrella is the type of umbrella you need. There are three key types of patio umbrellas: aluminum, wood and wind resistant. Choosing between aluminum and wood is really personal preference, but deciding on a wind resistant umbrella is based more on necessity.

Wood outdoor patio umbrellas, or market umbrellas as many call them, are the original outdoor patio umbrella. The pole and rib arms (the parts that support the canopy) are made of wood. These umbrellas are opened and closed with a manual push and pin motion and are made of a sturdy wood design. This is a great option to have in commercial settings, because there are a smaller number of pieces that customers can adjust themselves which will dramatically add to wear and tear. In subsequent years in the life of the market umbrella the pulley lift system was introduced. This made opening and closing a wood umbrella much easier than the push and pin lift system, particularly for residential uses. These umbrellas provide an elegant and stately feel to a backyard and have been a classic choice for a long time.

An aluminum outdoor patio umbrella is a more recent development in the area of patio umbrellas. They give a more lightweight option to the wood market umbrella and a more modern look and feel. They give consumers a product that is basically maintenance free and have added features that wood outdoor patio umbrellas are not able provide. A lot of aluminum patio umbrellas offer easy-to-use crank lift systems and some even have deluxe auto tilt features. These features make it extremely simple to open and tilt your patio umbrella. These outdoor umbrellas are a great match to cast aluminum patio furniture, but can be a great addition to any existing d?cor. Many aluminum outdoor umbrellas offer extended warranties which add to their appeal.

Now, while your choice between an aluminum outdoor patio umbrella and a wood umbrella is based on personal preference, your choice to buy a wind resistant umbrella should be based more on need. Wind resistant umbrellas are a good idea for locations that have sudden gusts of wind or for locations near the beach. Wind resistant umbrellas are built with flexible fiberglass rib arms that bend with the wind. This provides you more time to get to your umbrella and close it if the winds get too strong, keeping it safe from damage. Even though these umbrellas do give you additional time to get to your umbrella and close it, wind resistant does not mean wind proof. The extra flexibility of these umbrellas gives them the ability to withstand winds for a longer time than a wood or aluminum umbrella can, but you should always close your umbrella if conditions warrant it.

This information should assist you in choosing the right type of outdoor umbrella for you and your backyard or patio.

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