Patio Umbrella Sizes
Patio umbrellas come in different sizes, so it is important to determine the size you want to get before buying one. The size of a patio umbrella actually refers three characteristics: its height, coverage area, and weight.
Height
The height of a patio umbrella pertains to its height from the ground to the peak of the umbrella and the length of clearance between the ground and the hem of the canopy.
A patio umbrella can be dome-shaped or pyramidal. Considering its peak height can help you decide where best to put it. If the patio umbrella you want to purchase is nine feet at its peak, then you would know that you need a clearing with at least nine feet of vertical space to place your patio umbrella.
To get a patio umbrella with the right size, you should also consider its clearance from the ground to the hem of the canopy. If you have an average height, get a patio umbrella with a clearance of seven and a half feet, so you would not have to duck to get underneath it. Generally, a patio umbrella stands six feet to 12 feet in height at their peaks and provides a clearance of five feet and a half to nine and a half feet.
Coverage area
The coverage area is the amount of space the patio umbrella's canopy can cover. It is a two-dimensional measurement indicated in square feet. The coverage area of a patio umbrella is computed by multiplying the length of a canopy by its width. In the case of a circular patio umbrella, its coverage area is determined by multiplying the radius of its canopy (the distance from the edge of the canopy to the center) by itself, then multiplying that value by pi or 3.14. Generally, a patio umbrella has a coverage of 12 square feet to 40 square feet.
The coverage area can help you determine which pieces of furniture you can place underneath the patio umbrella. If you have an eight-feet long lawn chair that takes up an area of 16 square feet, you would need a patio umbrella with a coverage area of at least 16 square feet to shade the entire chair. If you want to cover two chairs, you would need a patio umbrella with a coverage area of at least 32 square feet.
Weight
The weight of a patio umbrella is mostly concentrated in the stand or the pyramidal structure at the base of the patio umbrella that keeps it upright. The base is weighted down to prevent the patio umbrella from tipping over or getting carried away by a strong wind. A base commonly weighs 20 pounds to 50 pounds. Some models are filled with sand or water as ballast, while others are already heavy and do not require ballast fills.
You can choose between a patio umbrella with a light and heavy base depending on your needs and preferences. If you enjoy constantly rearranging your patio or deck furniture, get one with a lighter base between 20 pounds and 25 pounds. On the other hand, if you live in a windy area, get one with a heavier base of 40 pounds to 50 pounds.
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