Patio Umbrellas Buying Guide

You've furnished your patio with new patio furniture, but you aren't done yet. Not all decks and patios are perfectly shaded, and you can't always set up your outdoor furniture under shade-giving trees. Protect yourself and your family from the sun with patio umbrellas and shades. The information in this buying guide will help you shop online for the right patio umbrella or shade sail; buying patio umbrellas is easy when you know what to look for.

Buying a Patio Umbrella:

1. Patio umbrella sizes: Patio umbrellas are a classic look outdoors. Before you buy one, first consider how much shade you actually need and how much space you have for an umbrella. The size of the patio umbrella will determine how much shade your garden and patio receive, while the size of your patio area might determine how large an umbrella you can get. A 4-foot to 6-foot umbrella shades up to a 30-inch cafe or bistro table set. A 7-foot to 8-foot patio umbrella can shade up to a 36-inch cafe or bistro table set. To shade a 48-inch round or square dining table and four chairs, invest in a 9-foot to 10-foot patio umbrella. The 11-foot umbrella is the largest and can shade up to a 60-inch round or square table or a 72-inch oval or rectangular table with six chairs. These large canopies are also great for shading an arrangement of patio lounge chairs.

2. Patio umbrella poles: The average height of a patio umbrella pole is 8 feet. Some can be taller, but most you'll find will be about 8 feet tall. A few umbrella poles may be curved or offset to hang the patio umbrella over an area without a pole being in the way of the outdoor furniture or activity in the area. Most offset umbrella poles will still set the umbrella about 8 feet above the ground.

3. Tilting patio umbrellas: Patio umbrellas with tilt functions offer more options for shade. The sun doesn't always accommodate patio dwellers by staying directly overhead to be blocked by your umbrella. Especially in areas where the horizon is flatter, the sun will strike the patio early and stay later. A tilting patio umbrella can tilt with the movement of the sun so you can have shade at any time of day. This way, your patio table can remain in the shade, and you won't need to move your table and chairs to chase the shade. Tilts come in a few varieties: buttons at the top of the umbrella, in the frame underneath the rib hub or in conjunction with crank handles.

4. Table versus free-standing patio umbrellas: Another feature of patio umbrellas to consider is whether you want a table umbrella or a free-standing umbrella. Table umbrellas and free-standing umbrellas both need stands; generally, through-the-table umbrellas can use a lighter base since the table will provide some support. Free-standing umbrellas will need a heavy stand to keep them upright. Offset patio umbrellas will need a stand that provides more than just weight; you will need to counterbalance the weight of the offset canopy. A three-point or four-point stand is a good choice.

5. Umbrella stands: Even if you think you have good enough support from your patio table, an umbrella base is still recommended. Bases hold your patio umbrella straight and protect it from gusts of wind. For large 10-foot to 11-foot umbrellas, look for the largest umbrella base you can buy. These umbrellas need as much support as you can give them. Cast-iron bases are a good choice for weight, but resin compounds also do a good job.

6. Shade sails: Shade sails are a contemporary version of patio umbrellas. Shade sails, also called sun sails, are large shades of weather- and UV-resistant fabric that stretch across poles, trees or the house. Shade sails are perfect for adding a lot of shade to a poolside patio, a back yard or open deck. Sun sails are stretched between three or four points at different heights, creating an angle that prevents water from becoming trapped on the sail. The most popular shade sails are shaped as rectangles, squares or triangles. Shade sails can be small, but most begin at around 9 feet and can be as big as 20 feet. Most sun sails available online will include the mounting accessories, such as hooks, pad eyes, webbing or other fasteners.

7. Fabrics for patio umbrellas and shade sails: The fabrics used on patio umbrellas needs to be weather-resistant, and sail fabric needs to be UV-resistant. Patio umbrella fabric comes in many colors and patterns, both bold and fun. Breathable fabrics are a good choice; they stay cool, even under the hot sun. Most umbrella fabrics are colorfast and resist mold and mildew. Shade sails are made with breathable fabric that is 90 to 95 percent UV-resistant. The fabrics share much of the same qualities as umbrella fabrics but usually come in more subdued colors, like neutrals and solid base colors.

Tip from Overstock.com:

1. Use your patio umbrella to shade more than your outdoor dining set; patio umbrellas and shade sails make your garden and patio an extension of your living room by shading chaise lounges, outdoor benches, BBQ grills and more. These pieces of patio furniture and many other garden and patio supplies are available for deeply discounted prices at Overstock.com.