Do you have an outdoor seating area in your garden or does your business provide customers with an outdoor space? If so, you should provide shade – and parasols are the easiest and most affordable way to do that. When shopping for parasols, look for these features:
Type of parasol
A Parasol can either be upright or tilting. An upright parasol features a square, rectangle or round, canopy mounted on a fixed straight pole while a titled parasol (cantilever parasol) comes with a tilt option to change the direction of the canopy as the sun moves around. If you want the garden parasol effective to protect you from sunshine, you will need to make sure that it is able to vary the height and angle of the parasol as much as possible. For example, the Solero Fratello Pro – tilts 360 degrees blocking out sunlight in all directions.
Size and Shape
Size is one of the most important features of a parasol. You’ll need to consider the size of the table or area that you want to shade. Parasol canopies need to be larger than the table underneath in order to provide adequate shade. Square canopies also provide a larger surface shade area than round or octagonal parasols.
The canopy material
Canopy fabrics come in different materials and colors. If the parasol will be used frequently, it’s best to invest in a weather resistant UV fabric, this protects the people underneath and helps keep the canopy color from fading. Also, you need a parasol that is water proof and the fabric is easy to clean with damp cloth.
Frame
Besides the material of the canopy, you should also pay attention to the frame. Frames for parasols are made from either aluminum, wood, stainless stain or a combination of all these materials. Aluminum is lighter in weight and can last longer than wood. Stainless-steel frames tend to be more resistant than others, and look sleeker. A combination of stainless steel with a wood finish will make your garden look impressive to all your guests. But choose a frame that matches the decor in your garden.
Air Vents
Pick a parasol with air vents. Air vents, which are found at the top of parasol will allow sudden gust of wind to escape without taking rest of the parasol with it. Air vents which are covered with a piece of fabric around the parasol are also a good option.
Weight of the base
It’s worth noting that parasols are designed to be supported by either a table or base (or both). The weight required for the base depends on the size of the canopy and also how windy the location will be. Therefore, you need a heavy base to get the best performance of a parasol. A windy, unsheltered garden will require a heavy base. A sheltered location with little wind will require a light base. Water filled, concrete or cast iron is perfect material for your base.