Best Patio Umbrellas for Wind in Reviews

Having an outdoor patio umbrella is a great way to help you enjoy your outdoor space and adding some beauty to your home.

The umbrella should also protect you and your loved ones from dangerous UV rays which can cause skin cancer.

But how do you make your choice when deciding on what to buy?

Here are a few important factors to always consider when choosing the best patio umbrella. 

Style

The style will be dependent on what you like. This will depend on the patio space you have available and your furniture arrangement/layout. But above all, your taste will determine what you go for. The umbrella’s grouped into two categories; center pole or offset.

Center pole umbrellas

These umbrellas have a straight pole that extending from the top of the canopy to the securing base.

The poles may be single, a solid piece or two separate pieces joined together.

The umbrellas can be stabilized by either a fixed or mobile base and are the most common style of outdoor umbrellas around.

Under this category, we have three different variations.

• Market umbrellas – Most popular style of center pole umbrella. Has an octagonal or round shape with a clean edge. Some have canopies that are vented to encourage easy airflow, cooling the area under the umbrella and help it endure windy conditions.
• Beach umbrellas – Simple style umbrellas with round shape canopy with hanging valances around the edge. Many such umbrellas make use of a simple spiked base inserted into the sand.
• Half umbrellas – They are specialized umbrellas made with one flat side to allow it to be placed flush next to a wall. Ideal for shading balconies or porches that have limited spaces. Has a round or straight canopy with clean edges, valances or drapes.

Offset Umbrellas or cantilever patio umbrellas

The pole to these umbrellas is either joined or arched and positioned off to one side.

Their canopy is supported from the side and above, allowing it to hang freely. The best thing about these umbrellas is that they provide shade for a large area without the obstruction caused by a center pole.

Many also rotate to provide 360° degrees coverage. They do however require heavier bases and are more expensive.

Material

For the frames and poles, they are either made from wood, aluminum or fiberglass.

For the ones made from wood, they have that timeless, classic appeal. The only disadvantage is wood tends to fade after long exposure to sun and rain.

They are also expensive as their raw materials are pricey. Poles made from wood also don’t last long especially under extremely windy conditions.

For the ones made from aluminum have a stylish look. Aluminum is less expensive, light in weight and long-lasting.

Frames and poles made from aluminum are more likely to have crank lifts and tilting systems.

Poles and frames made from fiberglass are named among the most durable ones available.

Fiberglass is light in weight, very sturdy and more flexible than aluminum or wood. Making it bend without breaking even in extremely windy conditions.

Does rust and does in wet conditions. Most expensive material to buy. Has tilt and crank lift features also available on most umbrellas.

Size of canopy

If you get a small canopy, you will not have enough shade and a very large one may take over your space.

To get the best size of the canopy you need to have the measurement of the table or area that you want to shade.

This is as you also put into consideration the space needed to place chairs comfortably.

Then all you have to do is add 2 to 2 1/2 feet to each side, this helps to establish the diameter of the canopy that will give just the right amount of shade.

Shape

The shape of your umbrella will be determined by either the shape of your table or space you want to be covered or mostly what you prefer.

For the round shape, if the area or table is symmetrical, the round shape is ideal. Square shaped canopies are also good for symmetrical spaces.

Longer tables or oval ones are often best covered with rectangular shaped canopies.

Canopy fabric

This is one of the key factors to consider. Each canopy material has its own characteristics.

For canopies made from acrylic fabric, they are of high quality. Very resistant to water and wind and keeps color for long.

Protects from damaging UV rays. Those from polyester fabric they are rich in color and comfortable to the touch.

Retain color for longer and also offers UPF 40 protection.

Umbrella stand or base

What type of base do you want to go for? The right base is key in offering the umbrella stability. For center pole and cantilever umbrellas, you can either go for mobile or fixed bases. Fixed bases are more suitable. The larger the umbrella; the windier the setting.

• Mobile bases can be moved to the desired spot though they are heavy.  Most are either are square, round or rectangular and are made from stone, iron or concrete. There are also those made from hollow plastic that you have to add sand or water to make them, stand.
• Fixed base is usually used when a deck umbrella is very large, your environment is windy of for commercial purposes. They are not portable. They are the best bases when it comes to the umbrella’s stability.

Look for additional features

Most patio umbrellas are comparatively static and so as the sun moves you need to know how to adjust the umbrella.

• Tilt

You will find several umbrellas with a center pole crank lift which includes a tilting function to enable you to angle the canopy shade to successfully keep the sunlight away without having to move the umbrella

• Swivel

Some offset/cantilever umbrellas have 360-degree rotation capability allowing you to shade a larger area without moving the base.

• Accessories

Look out for accessories like lights if you like going into the evenings. They can be built into the ribs or the hubs. Or you can buy them separately and mount them. You can go for a protective cover to protect the umbrella.