23 Aug 09 Help With Choosing the Right Patio Umbrella for Your Needs

If you are searching for a simple way to revise the look of your patio it can be easily achieved by purchasing a beautiful outdoor patio umbrella. You will be very amazed at the difference a bold colored patio umbrella can make to a lifeless yard, or how finding the perfect match for your current d?cor can give your patio a fresh look. Deciding on the right size, color and type of patio umbrella can feel a bit overwhelming here are some of the basics that will make it easier for you to choose the right type of umbrella.

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

Wood outdoor patio umbrellas, or market umbrellas as many call them, are the original outdoor umbrella. The pole and rib arms (the parts that support the canopy) are made of wood. These umbrellas have a solid construction and are usually opened and closed manually by pushing open the canopy and placing a pin into the pole to hold it up. This is a perfect option to have in commercial settings, because there are less pieces that customers can adjust themselves which will significantly add to wear and tear. In the following years in the life of the market umbrella the pulley lift system was introduced. This made opening and closing a wood umbrella a great deal easier than the push and pin lift system, particularly for residential uses. These umbrellas give an graceful and stately feel to a patio and have been a classic choice for a long time.

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

Now, while your selection between an aluminum outdoor patio umbrella and a wood umbrella is based on personal preference, your decision to acquire a wind resistant umbrella should be based more on need. Wind resistant umbrellas are a smart choice for places that have abrupt gusts of wind or for beach locations. Wind resistant umbrellas are made with flexible fiberglass rib arms that bend with the wind. This provides you more time to reach your umbrella and close it if the winds get too strong, keeping it safe from damage. Although these umbrellas do provide you added time to get to your umbrella and close it, wind resistant does not mean wind proof. The extra flexibility of these umbrellas allows them 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 allow you to decide on the right type of outdoor umbrella for you and your backyard or patio.

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