Sun shades for patios can be chosen from a whole range of options, including offset outdoor umbrellas, a rectangular patio umbrella with tilt, side post umbrellas, fixed to the wall outdoor umbrellas, etc.
Patio umbrellas come in all shapes, sizes and shades. The 2 most popular types are the eight rib umbrella and the hexagonal six rib version. Many dealers offer other unique shapes such as square, oval or rectangular patio umbrellas.
Where are these sun shades best be used? Offset patio umbrellas or cantilevered patio umbrellas are well equipped for shading larger outdoor areas, such as patios that offer views that you do not want to be obstructed by a center pole. They will enhance your outdoor entertainment area or provide cover at a swimming pool.
10 Tips For Choosing Offset Outdoor Umbrellas
Offset outdoor umbrellas should be chosen according to their capacity for low maintenance, durability and heat reflective capacity.
You need to ensure that both the poles and arms of your patio or porch umbrellas are of top quality. Good choices include powder coated aluminum or real hardwood. This goes for the ribs as well.
Crank lifts with steel cables will generally be more effective than the cheaper nylon cords.
An umbrella arm should provide such flexibility that you can tilt them, twist them and shift them, allowing for 360 degrees of rotation. This should give you the best shade coverage.
Tilt mechanisms of offset outdoor umbrellas must be of sound engineering, but must also be extremely user friendly to ensure easy handling.
Bases should be strong enough to ensure stability, even in bad weather. Bases can often be filled with sand or a mixture of sand and water to add weight and thus improve stability.
An offset outdoor umbrella design presents you with the most in terms of freedom if it does not have a center pole and has a double roof with air vent.
Cost shouldn't be your only consideration when choosing sun shades for patios. Low pricing may sound great, but if inferior materials are used, it could be costly in the long run.
Opt for a reputable manufacturer (even if it costs a bit more) in order to be sure that the warranty will be honored, should a problem develop down the line. A longer term warranty obviously gives you more protection.
Offset outdoor umbrellas should be easy to maintain. Check for one that can handle all the stuff the elements throw at it. Good quality UV resistant material will add to durability. This is where the warranty can be an indication of quality.
As folks find it harder to sell properties and move to a new location, they are looking for ways to enhance their existing properties and to improve living spaces. Sun shades for patios can help to do this in a fairly affordable way. A rectangular patio umbrella with tilt and offset outdoor umbrellas are just two of the many options on the market.
