Patio Umbrellas
Patio umbrellas are essential for anyone wanting to fully enjoy their outdoor living spaces. Along with complementing and completing the patio décor, an umbrella offers protection from the sun’s skin-damaging rays. There are a few things to consider before you decide which umbrella is right for your home or garden.
Styles
One of the most popular patio umbrella styles is the crank-lift umbrella. The crank-lift mechanism is user-friendly and stands up to repeated use. To open, the user simply turns the crank and the umbrella opens up. Most crank-lift umbrellas have an aluminum frame. Aluminum frames are very functional and sturdy. The aluminum is usually finished with a powder-coat enamel and is available in a number of shades. The enamel finish makes the framework attractive and weatherproof. In addition, many patio umbrellas offer a tilting feature, allowing you to perfectly position shaded areas. Throughout the day, the tilt of the umbrella can be changed to provide continuous shade, despite the location of the sun's rays.
Uses
There are different mounting options available for patio umbrellas. A table-mounted umbrella is secured through a hole in the center of the patio table. Table-mounted options are probably the most familiar type of umbrella. Patio umbrellas also come with wall-mounted and free-standing mounts. They are just as great for shading patio tables and chairs, but are much more versatile than table-mounted umbrellas because they don’t rely on the table for support. This makes them an ideal choice for shading lounge chairs and any other casual arrangement.
Materials
Coverings for patio umbrellas come in different fabrics and many different colors and patterns. Remember that fabrics treated to be UV resistant are superior in several ways. First, the UV treatment makes the fabric more durable so it resists tearing, cracking or splitting. Also, UV treated fabrics fade less over time. Keep in mind that umbrella coverings with darker colors and thicker fabrics will protect you better from the sun’s rays.
Patio umbrellas complete the beauty and usefulness of your deck, porch, or any outdoor setting, allowing you to enjoy your backyard to the fullest. |
