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Heavy Duty Patio Umbrella

Whether you have an outdoor table or just a little area to relax, a heavy duty patio umbrella is much needed… unless you want to boil in the sun and run indoors after ten minutes, that is!

Finding the right model for your garden will drastically improve those memorable summer afternoons. Not only that, but it can even be a stylish statement to reinforce the décor and palette that you've gone for in your backyard.

Patio umbrellas are available in all sorts of sizes and colors, but it might be helpful to identify what type of model you need before you start browsing them.

Table patio umbrellas are ideal if you only ever want them to provide shade while you're sitting around a table that has a central hole.

Freestanding options are usually intended to be placed in the middle of a sitting area. They also allow you more flexibility as you can move them around depending on where you've decided to hang out that day.

Cantilever umbrellas are fairly large options with the pole on the side of the canopy. Heavier and, therefore, less portable, they could be a better choice if you have a wide seating area but don't wish to have a pole right in the middle of it.

Any of these options can also be chosen as a tilting model: with a pivoting feature, it can protect you from the sun at different times of the day, and it's perfect if you're planning on staying outdoors for hours.

As for materials, you definitely want your heavy duty patio umbrella to be waterproof and, if you wish for it to be durable and not discolor overtime, UV-resistant.

Polyester and acrylic are the most popular options, but there are other more budget-friendly (like olefin) and sustainable materials (like thatch) that you can consider.

To avoid disappointment, measure the area that you want to keep in the shade rather than relying on guesswork.

Jessica started out as an interior photographer, but her love of pretty settings took her to the field of interior design, where she can combine two of her greatest passions, creating and then capturing the beauty of homes.

Arabella 10' Cantilever Umbrella
Available in an impressive variety of colors, this versatile cantilever patio umbrella can cover large seating areas. It’s easy to open and, being made of waterproof polyester and metal, is also incredibly durable. Because it hasn’t got a tilting feature, we only recommend it if you’re planning on using it to always cover the same area from the top.
Keven 7.5Ft Heavy-Duty Outdoor Market Patio Umbrella W/ Push Button Tilt, Easy Crank Lift
Boasting a timeless classic design, this practical table umbrella is available in the most versatile neutral shades and the most attention-grabbing hues. It can help you reinforce your current décor or introduce a fun element of color. Waterproof and with a 50% UV protection, this infallible heavy duty patio umbrella can also tilt.
Rhinecliff 9' Market Umbrella
If you have an outdoor table with a central hole, this table umbrella is exactly what you need. It’s made of durable polyester which blocks up to 95% of UV rays as well as being waterproof. It also includes the coveted tilt feature: sitting outside at different times of the day will no longer result in direct sunlight in your eyes.
Jendayi Square Cantilever Umbrella
Whether you decide to place it next to a table or a large seating area, this tilting cantilever patio umbrella has an eco-friendly ace up its canopy, guaranteed to improve your little gathering: it’s a solar-powered light that allows you to keep chatting outside once the sun’s gone down. How handy is that?!
Lena 11' Cantilever Umbrella
This multi-position cantilever umbrella is wide and versatile, perfect to keep a large party under the shade no matter what time of the day it is. It features 5 adjustable vertical tilt positions and it offers a whopping 98% UV protection. You can find it in white, beige or dark red.
XHCP Sunshade, Sunshade, Umbrella Garden Deluxe LED 2.7m Heavy-Duty Polyester Canopy Sun Shading Umbrella UV Protection (Wine)
Those summer afternoons that turn into evenings together with friends and family are simply the best, and this magical table umbrella makes them even more perfect. With 18 energy-efficient LED lights and a practical tilt feature, you won’t need to spoil the atmosphere with the brightest garden lighting fixtures if you want to hang out outside for a bit longer.
Lillian 9' Market Umbrella
If you were hoping to make a strong decorative statement, you can’t go wrong with this pagoda-style heavy duty patio umbrella. Inspired by the most traditional oriental designs, it’s an undeniably attention-grabbing piece that will wow your guests. Perfect to read a book outside or catch up with a couple of friends!
CorLiving 11' Deluxe Offset Patio Umbrella & Reviews | Wayfair
CorLiving 11' Deluxe Offset Patio Umbrella & Reviews | Wayfair
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Tips To Choose A Patio Umbrella

Investing in a high-quality patio umbrella means that you'll be able to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about the heat and harsh rays of the sun. There are many factors that influence how good a patio umbrella is, ranging from the canopy material to the weight of the base, which may make this process a whole lot more confusing. 

That's why we've compiled some expert tips to make choosing a patio umbrella much easier!

  • As a general rule, the height of your umbrella should be no less than 7 feet, no matter how large or small the area you're using it in.
  • If you plan to cover a table and seats, make sure the umbrella extends over the table by 2 feet on each side.
  • Make sure to use exact measurements as having a largely oversized umbrella can be too overwhelming, which will throw off the balance of your patio.

Choosing the correct weight of the umbrella base is crucial! If the base is too light, you run the risk of your umbrella falling over or even flying away if there are strong winds. If the base is too heavy, it'll make maneuvering the umbrella incredibly difficult.

  • The ideal base weight for table umbrellas is between 20 lbs and 40 lbs.
  • They only need lightweight bases as they have the additional support of the table.
  • Free-standing patio umbrellas need a minimum of 50 lbs in base weight.
  • The weight should be proportional to the umbrella's diameter.
  • A 6 foot umbrella should have a 60 lbs weight, a 7 foot umbrella should have a 70 lbs weight, and so on.

The type of patio umbrella you should get is very much dependent on your needs, as well as your available budget. There are only three main types, each with different pros and cons that are outline below to help you make an informed decision.

Need something small and simple? => Table umbrella

Table umbrellas are one of the most common types of patio umbrella as they're lightweight and relatively cheap.

They offer protection to both the people around the table and the furniture itself.

Also, these umbrellas are only slightly bigger than standard hand-held umbrellas, so they can be stored very easily.

However, you can usually only adjust their height, so they may not always provide the best protection from every angle since the sun is constantly moving.

Table umbrellas are also usually quite flimsy, as they do partially rely on the table for support, so they're not recommended for areas with strong winds.

Want something adjustable? => Tilting umbrella

This is a very similar design to the table umbrella, with the only major difference being a pivoting feature.

This means that the umbrella can rotate around the pole, allowing for maximum protection from the sun.

Tilting umbrellas are usually more expensive than table umbrellas, but are definitely worth the money - you don't want you and your guests having to move every half hour or so just to hide from the sun!

Love a bit of luxury? => Cantilever umbrella

Cantilever umbrellas are a more luxurious version of tilting umbrellas - these umbrellas are often used commercially in expensive hotels!

Their large, heavy bases allow the pole to be more of an off-set arm, rather than having it go through the middle of the canopy, giving cantilever umbrellas a much larger movement area.

Everything from the pole to the canopy is made from heavy-duty materials, so this type of umbrella will be able to withstand almost anything.

Cantilever umbrellas are the most expensive type of patio umbrella, and the price can even go into the thousands, so keep this in mind if you're on a budget.

A good patio umbrella canopy will be made out of a durable, weather-resistant fabric, and will ideally be on the cheaper side. There are many materials like that, which is why we have a summary of the most popular types to help you choose!

Want a great all-rounder? => Acrylic

Acrylic fabric is considered to be one of the best material options for patio umbrella canopies as it is able to resist wind, rain, and sun without damage.

It's proven to provide up to 98% UV ray protection and is even resistant to mold.

Acrylic canopies are quite versatile as they are available in a range of colors and patterns.

It is, however, one of the most expensive patio umbrella canopy materials.

Live in a particularly rainy area? => Polyester

Although patio umbrellas are usually only supposed to withstand the sun, you may not always have the ability to take your umbrella down or move it indoors once it starts raining -- that where polyester comes in!

Polyester is a naturally hydrophobic material, meaning that it won't absorb any water and will dry much faster than other fabrics, making it ideal for wet and rainy environments.

The fabric is pretty resistant to chemicals, so you can clean it with bleach or chlorine without having to worry about ruining it.

It's also usually much cheaper than other patio umbrella canopy materials.

However, this material isn't super breathable, meaning that it may be prone to mold and mildew if not taken care of properly.

Need a compromise between price and durability? => Olefin

Olefin is a cheaper alternative to acrylic patio umbrella canopies.

It's a bit less durable but can still stand up to heat and moisture pretty well.

This fabric is much more lightweight than other materials, making it a good choice if you plan to move your umbrella around a lot - it won't add too much to the overall weight of the umbrella.

Just like with polyester, you can confidently clean olefin canopies using chlorine or bleach as it is strong enough to withstand those chemicals, although the material is pretty resistant to stains anyway!

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