by Peter Kim
One thing that every patio can’t be complete without is a patio umbrella. This lovely piece of furniture provides amicable shade so that you can relax and enjoy sunny, warm, summer days. Before you settle on a final decision for your patio umbrella, there are a few things you need to consider.
Choosing a proper shaft material for the patio umbrella is a crucial step in determining which model will suit your needs best. This doesn’t just determine how the umbrella will look, it determines how it will function, as well. Aluminum and wood are your two main choices in this case.
Although they can be more expensive, wooden patio umbrellas are often chosen based on their look and feel. Wood is a great choice especially if you want to match other wooden furniture pieces. The choice of wood will factor in on the price of the umbrella heavily.
The downside to a wooden umbrella is that it doesn’t match the high strength and durability of more modern materials like aluminum. Some designs have gone around this by replacing the inside of the wood with a steel core for added mechanical strength. With this you get the look of wood with the strength of steel.
The most popular kind of patio umbrella has recently been the aluminum variety because of their lightweight nature and high mechanical strength. Aluminum tends to cost a whole lot less than wood, too, which is another plus. You can even customize the look with different finishes.
If you live in an area plagued by heavy winds and gusty conditions, then aluminum umbrellas are perfect. Their high durability will help them last through conditions that wooden umbrellas just can’t handle. Aluminum is a great modern choice for its strength and endurance.
Choosing between aluminum or wood for your patio umbrella can come down to function versus aesthetic. For this decision you’ll need to determine what’s most important to your specific needs. It’s definitely recommended to favor practicality first since you want the umbrella to function well no matter how it looks.
By taking the time to look into all of your options you’ll have the best chance possible to find the patio umbrella that’s perfect for your specific tastes and needs. Whether wood or aluminum, the right patio umbrella is out there if you’re willing to take the time required to find it.
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July 10 2009 | Gardening | No Comments »
by Jessica Martin
The base of a patio umbrella is the most critical component of the entire thing so far as practicalities go. Without the right kind, the umbrella could topple over or literally float away. This is a really dire thing to have happen, so determining which base is best is definitely important.
The essential aspects of the patio umbrella base are its size, weight, and neck diameter. If any of these are off by too much, the umbrella will not function as it should. The base is the most important component, so take the time to make sure that you pick an appropriate one.
The weight of the base is the most crucial aspect of it because holding the patio umbrella down and in place is the entire job of the stand. A couple of factors affect what weight is appropriate for your stand, including the size and placement of the umbrella.
The larger the patio umbrella, the heavier the stand needs to be. Most manufacturer’s determine what weight is required based off of the diameter of the umbrella’s canopy. Sometimes this statistic is listed on the product itself. If not, just apply a tape measure and you’ll be set.
The placement is important because you won’t need as much weight if the stand has support from something else. For instance, if the stand is placed inside a table on your patio, it won’t be able to topple over as easily, meaning less weight is required.
In general, you can shift the necessary weight of the umbrella base down one category if you put the patio umbrella inside a table. So if a base needs to be fifty pounds for a free standing umbrella of a particular size, it would only need to be thirty five pounds in a table.
Making sure that the patio umbrella base has the right neck diameter is also critical. If the sleeve diameter is smaller than the umbrella’s shaft diameter, then the whole assembly just won’t work. This is an easy thing to get right, so take your time and do it right.
If you keep these critical umbrella base aspects in mind when looking for one, you’re sure to get the right base for your needs. After you have found one that meets the practical requirements, don’t forget to choose one that will look great too.
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July 09 2009 | Landscaping | No Comments »