One of the most common features of any outdoor decor is the use of patio umbrellas. We see them everywhere; from the simplest ice-cream man to the most contemporary, sophisticated dining outlet in the heart of the city. There are a few reasons why patio umbrellas are so favoured over other types of outdoor furnishing:

1. They are affordable. Unlike floor tiling, wall paneling or paintings which can be extremely expensive, outdoor umbrellas are relatively cheap. Considering the fact that they can create that exact same effect we want for our outdoor spaces, it is no wonder they are usually a first option.

2. They are very accessible. It is also very easy to find these umbrellas. Almost any shop that does refurbishing will have some available for our perusal, or at least be able to direct us to one reliable source.

3. Patio umbrellas can be personalized or custom-made at a relatively cheap cost. In a commercial setting, branding is everything. And having an outdoor umbrella on the premises means we have an extra vehicle for marketing our name. This can be done at a reasonable price quite easily, which reduces the stress of us having to carve our names into the furniture or pay artists an exorbitant price for graffiti branding on the floor tiles.

4. They are user-friendly. There is no need for complicated manuals or help from any professional (except for some particular types of offset umbrellas) in the daily setting-up and down of these umbrellas. Patio umbrellas for private use are even easier to manage.

5. Mobility. One of the best reasons why anyone uses an outdoor umbrella is for its mobility. We can shift the umbrella from one spot to another without much ado, making our outdoor space different with each move. On top of that, we can open and shut them as we please, to allow as much sunlight or shade as we wish.

In choosing an outdoor umbrella, we need to ensure a few things – mainly, durability and weather-resistance. As it will be exposed in all weather at all times, we need to find outdoor umbrellas that can withstand harsh conditions. With fair wear and tear, all outdoor umbrellas should look well-seasoned and not weather-beaten or worn out. There is no point getting an outdoor umbrella for its relatively low cost if it has to be replaced every year.

For this reason, an aluminum umbrella may be one of the best options we make. Not only are they highly durable and rust-resistant, they are also lightweight compared to solid wood and wrought iron ones. Wood and iron umbrellas, while being very reliable durable items, tend to be very heavy, which makes them very difficult to shift from one spot to another. This reduces our mobility and restricts us to finding permanent spots for these umbrellas, which may not always be possible.

The aluminum umbrella is also easy to paint over and looks good in literally any colour. Being able to paint and repaint our umbrellas will help refresh the look for our outdoor space ever so often, making it appear as if we do regular refurbishing. It is good then that the aluminum umbrella comes as an offset umbrella too, which gives us greater flexibility in the use of our space.

Offset umbrellas are the contemporary versions of the conventional outdoor umbrella. They are different from their predecessors because their stands are not conventionally in the center but “off” site – they could be hung from the ceiling, mounted on side walls or on a stand that is sited on the side. They are great for areas with restrictive space, where it would not always be possible to put up an umbrella on an upright stand.

Offset umbrellas are every bit just as versatile as normal ones. They can be found in wood, aluminum, wrought iron and steel. Plastic ones are less common as many fear they may lose their durability faster in this form, due to its stand having to bear the full weight of the umbrella. After all, the last everybody wants is a heavy umbrella falling on them!
Choosing a patio umbrella is pretty straightforward, as long as we have a clear idea as to what we have in mind and how we want the final effect to be. For many, it is also a lot of fun, especially since it is a part of turning the imagination into reality.

Author Bio: Article by Kenny Leichester of PatioShoppers.com, a website with the best outdoor furniture cushions and gas outdoor heater information on the web.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: patio umbrellas, offset umbrellas, aluminum umbrella