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Have it made in the shade with these picks. Pocket Umbrella
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Ah, summer is almost here! The season of alfresco dining, front-porch sitting, and poolside lounging. The great outdoors provides almost everything you need to enjoy summer's favorite pastimes. Although basking in the sunshine has its perks, the sun can be a bit of a detriment, like soaking up too many of those harmful UV rays. The patio umbrella is the perfect tool to combat unwanted rays while still allowing you to soak up late summer afternoons.
After your umbrella is in place, it's time to order the best Amazon outdoor decor items. And if it's still too hot even with an umbrella, might we suggest some sunroom ideas? Or wait until the sun goes down and spruce things up with the top outdoor lighting. But first, here are a few things to consider before hitting that "buy now" button.
If you're looking for a patio umbrella that'll last you for years to come, the material is one place you'll want to splurge. A high-performance outdoor fabric like Sunbrella is a top-of-the-line option. Sunbrella's fabrics are color-fast and won't fade due to UV ray or rain exposure. They also provide some UV protection. And since Sunbrella has been around for so long, there are tons of pattern and print options to choose from
Coming in at the middle-tier in regards to quality are Olefin and acrylic umbrellas. Both of these options are UV resistant and come in tons of different colors and patterns. They're not as durable as Sunbrella, but they're a great second choice for their low price point.
Finally, the cheapest material for patio umbrellas is good ole polyester. Polyester isn't necessarily a bad pick, it just won't last you as long as the above choices. Many polyester fabrics are treated with a UV resistant solution nowadays, and the options are basically endless when it comes to colors and patterns.
Wouldn't it be nice if instead of diameter measurements, patio umbrella measurements were given in the number of people that can comfortably fit? Fortunately, Hayneedle made a handy graph to help you translate all those feet and inches. For a 6-6.5 foot umbrella, you'll only be able to fit 1-2 people along with a table and chairs and still get plenty of protection. An 8-8.5 foot umbrella is a great mid-size option, able to fit 4-6 people at a small patio dining table or sectional sofa. And coming in with the oversized option, a 10-foot umbrella can fit 6-8 people at a large table or an entire patio conversation set.
You're probably familiar with the different styles of patio umbrellas, even if you don't know the names. A market umbrella is the most common, where the pole sits directly in the center of the umbrella. These are the ideal option if you're using an umbrella for a patio dining table or if the umbrella has a more rectangular top.
If you're looking for an umbrella that's better suited for conversation sets, then you'll want an offset or cantilever version. Both of these anchor the umbrella from the top so the pole is able to sit along the side. With this setup, you won't have to worry about a pesky pole awkwardly sitting in the middle of your conversation set.
For maximum versatility, you'll want a cantilever umbrella. A cantilever umbrella is technically an offset umbrella, but it features the ability to swivel and tilt to adjust to the sun's movement.
While you might be tempted to pick a light-colored patio umbrella as it'll "repel" the sun, you're probably better off going with a dark umbrella. Since dark colors absorb more UV rays, this can increase your protection against them as they won't pass through your umbrella. This goes for vibrant colors, too. Additionally, that UV ray absorption also equates to less heat passing through your umbrella.
Keep in mind that many patio umbrellas do not come with a base, so you'll need to add that to your cart too if you don't have one at home. As umbrella sizes get bigger, so do the base weights they'll need. For a 6-7.5 foot umbrella, you'll need a base that's just 35 pounds, according to Hayneedle. For a 7.5-9 foot umbrella, you'll want to go up to a 40-55 pound weighted base. And for a 9-11 foot umbrella, you're going to need a 65-75 pound base. You'll also want to note that smaller umbrellas aren't well suited for long-term free-standing use due to the chance that they'll tip over with the wind.
The market-style umbrella pairs perfectly with the clamshell base. It's perfect for providing a bit of shade to a small patio table or without a base and stuck into the grass for temporary use. With a seven foot diameter, it can fit 2-4 comfortably, but you probably won't want to leave it out for an extended period of time, especially if not secured within a table. However, the hefty 19 lb. weight does give it a pretty nice line of defense against wind gusts when paired with a weighted base.
We also love the portability of this outdoor umbrella. It comes with a travel case and stores away easily, making it just as suitable for your patio as it is for your beach vacation. It's made from a durable canvas material and has been treated with a protectant designed to safeguard against discoloration from UV rays and water.
Our favorite feature of this umbrella, though, might just be that it's washable. No matter how diligent you are about spot-cleaning your patio umbrella, it's only a matter of time before the fabric starts to look a little dingy. Throwing it in for a quick wash will have it looking good as new in no time.
If you splurged on your oversized conversation set, save a few bucks with this inexpensive cantilever umbrella. It has a whooping 10 foot diameter, enough to fit 8+ people on a sectional and a couple of chairs or with friends gathered around the table.
It also comes in 10 different colors, so there's no doubt that you'll find one that matches your patio's aesthetic. As expected with such a low price, this umbrella is made from a polyester fabric. It's said to be treated for UV and water protection, but we wouldn't expect more than five years use out of this umbrella.
One major note about this cantilever umbrella: the base is not included. You'll have to purchase the weighted base separately, and it's absolutely essential to have to make sure this umbrella doesn't tip over.
LL Bean's Sunbrella Market Umbrella is the definition of made to last. With an aluminum frame that's cast in a bronze finish and Sunbrella's incredibly durable fabric, this umbrella could easily last you years to come, making the high price tag much easier to stomach.
In addition to the Sunbrella fabric's durability, it's also machine-washable. So if you begin to see a little bit of wear and tear after the season (which is bound to happen with any umbrella), you can easily toss it in the wash to get it totally fresh once again.
The nine foot diameter is plenty wide to fit tons of friends and family around the alfresco dinner table. But while this umbrella can fit tons of folks under it, you won't want to use it in the middle of a conversation set since it is a market umbrella.
And even though it's not a cantilever umbrella, it does feature a tilt function that lets users adjust the fabric to block wherever the sun is coming from. Considering what all this umbrella offers and how durable it is, we'd venture to say that it's the best value on this list, seeing as you'll get years and years of use out of it.
The more details the better is the name of the game with this patio umbrella. Also, why just have scallops when you can have scallops and fringe?!
Since style isn't all that matters here, we'd also like to take a minute to applaud the incredibly high quality of this umbrella. Not only in the fabric a Sunbrella one, but the pole is an aluminum and stainless steel blend that's rust-resistant. It also comes in two different sizes: 7.5 and 9 feet. If you're looking for adequate coverage for 4 or more, we'd recommend the 9 foot option.
The only downside with this umbrella is that it only comes in one color, which is a bit disappointing considering the price. But, blue-and-white lovers, this is easily the best option for you.
This is the perfect choice for a large, rectangular-shaped dining table. This extra-large option is 15 feet by 9 feet and features a rectangular layout that's optimized for coverage, meaning you can pretty easily fit 8+ people under this umbrella comfortably.
In addition to being great for long dining tables, this umbrella is also perfect for setting up in the middle of 2-4 chaise loungers or a line of chairs. While we wouldn't normally recommend a market style umbrella for this purpose, the unique design of this one breaks the mold and makes it incredibly versatile.
While the fabric is an inexpensive polyester, it's treated to be water and UV resistant, so you can expect a few good years of use out of this umbrella before seeing any color fade. The base is also rust-resistant.
This vintage-inspired umbrella was awarded the Seal of Recommendation from Skin Cancer Foundation. It's constructed of Sunbrella fabric which will withstand the elements for many seasons to come.
Not to mention, the options are practically endless with this umbrella. It comes in four different fabric colors and seven different base finishes. Most of the frames are aluminum, making it rust-resistant and super durable. There is a teak option, as well, that will patina with age and look absolutely gorgeous with every passing year.
Beauty isn't everything, which is why we also love the tilt head function of this umbrella. It can readjust depending on exactly where the sun is hitting to protect the 6+ people it can fit.
While expensive, this well-made umbrella will get plenty of use before it kicks the bucket. It's the definition of an investment piece.
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
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