How to Pick the Right Patio Umbrella
Well, summer has arrived and if your backyard could use a freshening up you are not the only one. 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 several simple ways to refresh 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 number of shapes, sizes and colors which can make a statement. From contemporary to traditional you can find a nice match to your existing outdoor d?cor. Here are some tips on how to find the perfect patio umbrella for your needs.
First, you need to decided on the right size patio umbrella. 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 guests were sitting in them. Then find your measuring tape, have one person hold one end at the central point of your table and then walk around your table and chairs noting the distance you are from the center of the table. For example, if you have a round table and you are walking at a distance of 4 ? feet out from the center of your table, you have to double that distance which would mean that you would need a 9 foot patio umbrella. If you have an oval table and you are 4 feet out on one side and 5 ? feet out on the end you must search for at least an 8 by 11 oval patio umbrella.
After you have determined the size and shape umbrella you should buy, you need to choose a style. There are two basic styles available, wood or aluminum, and it is mostly personal preference as to which one you choose for your patio. Aluminum patio umbrellas tend to be lighter than wood umbrellas which make them a bit easier to handle. They also can be built with cranking mechanisms that make them easier to open and close. Wood patio umbrellas have a very traditional and elegant look and can be paired nicely with existing wood furniture. They usually have manual lift systems or pulley systems to open and close them so there are fewer mechanical parts.
After you select which type of umbrella to get you will begin to look at fabrics and colors. The most common fabrics are Sunbrella, Olefin and Suncrylic. Everyone has their own benefits whether it is price, warranty or that it is easy to clean. Sunbrella fabrics are the most expensive because they are marine-grade and come with a 3-year warranty against fading. Olefin is a less expensive 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 determining which fabric is best for you, the most important thing to take into account is your type of weather and how much time during the year it will be outside. If you live in a desert climate and tend to use your patio umbrella throughout the year, you may want to think about investing in Sunbrella fabric. If you are in a milder climate and only use your umbrella for a couple of months out of the year you can buy the Suncrylic or Olefin fabrics.
And don’t forget to choose 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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