Patio Umbrellas
Patio umbrellas provide cool places to get out of the sun. Using them is a great way to dress up a sundeck, pool deck, roof deck, or patio. They also give these places a more relaxed and cozy atmosphere. Patio umbrellas come in many colors, sizes, and designs.
How are patio umbrellas different?
Patio umbrellas are the enlarged versions of hand-held umbrellas. Hand-held umbrellas consist of central shafts made of plastic, steel, or wood; several folding spokes; and canopies made of waterproof fabric. The spokes are located on one end of the shafts and the handles on the other. When hand-held umbrellas open, the spokes extend to unfurl the canopies. They provide a portable covered space for shelter from the rain or sun.
Patio umbrellas, on the other hand, have the same features only bigger. They usually stand six feet to 12 feet in height. When the canopies are unfurled, patio umbrellas can cover areas as large as 25 square feet. Like their smaller counterparts, they consist of shafts made of plastic, wood or aluminum; folding spokes; and canopies made of waterproof fabric. However, instead of handles, patio umbrellas have flat bases. They are weighted in some models to allow them to stand on their own.
What are patio umbrellas made of?
The shafts of patio umbrellas can be made of plastic piping, wood, or aluminum. Patio umbrellas with plastic shafts are the most popular choices because plastic is naturally resistant to corrosion and easy to maintain. Patio umbrellas with wood shafts have a warm tone and classy look. However, they are one of the most expensive patio umbrellas available and can be difficult to maintain. Patio umbrellas with aluminum shafts are the lightest patio umbrellas available. They do not rust, but they are prone to pitting and other forms of corrosion.
Their hinges and spokes are usually made of the same material as the shafts. Patio umbrella with plastic shafts also have plastic spokes. The canopies of patio umbrellas are usually made of waterproof synthetic fabric. Some canopies are treated with chemicals to make them resistant to ultraviolet (UV) radiation that causes them to fade and become brittle.
How are patio umbrellas used?
Patio umbrellas can be stand-alone umbrellas or mounted on tables. Stand-alone patio umbrellas are simply freestanding structures with solid bases that prevent them from tipping over. They can be placed near lawn chairs or deck chairs to create shady places to relax under. The shafts of stand-alone patio umbrellas can be either straight or tilted.
The shafts of table-mounted patio umbrellas are passed through the holes bored into the tables’ centers. This patio umbrella-and-table combination creates a cool and comfortable dining nook. The shafts of table-mounted patio umbrellas are always straight.
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