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Selecting the Right Size Umbrella for a Patio

The enjoyment of your patio can be greatly enhanced with a stylish patio umbrella. However, it’s vital to select the right size for your space. By selecting the correct size umbrella, you and your guests will no longer need to jockey for the shady spot that will provide protection from the harsh sun or a sudden downpour. By following these tips, you can easily choose the right style, size and shape of umbrella to properly shade your patio, regardless of the angle of the sun. Typically, patio umbrellas were designed with a straight pole running up through the center of a fabric shade, created to slip through a hole in a table for stabilization and a weighted base attached to the bottom. However, newer cantilever umbrella are game changers. They are suspended and supported by a rod placed to one side rather than in the middle of the canopy. The arrangement helps to keep the pole out of the way, while allowing you to shade a large area. Their unique design imparts strength, stability, safety and versatility. Additionally, a cantilever umbrella can be raised or lowered and tilted to permit movement from left to right, forward and backward or even a full 360-degree rotation, letting you change the angle of the umbrella to help keep you protected at all times. The size of your umbrella is determined by the square footage available for your area. If the umbrella is too small, it won’t provide enough protection from the sun and weather. However, your area may be limited by physical restrictions or obstacles that must be taken into consideration, such as overhanging branches or walls. In addition, extra room will be needed above the umbrella, as it rises slightly when closed. Look around and measure the square footage of the space you are looking to cover. A good guideline to determine the canopy diameter is to first measure the area or table that you want to shade, taking into consideration the room needed for chairs and add two to three feet to each side to provide the right amount of shade. Consider anything else you may want to shelter, such as rugs, plants or other furnishings. Since these measurements are typically done in square footage, the way to calculate that is by measuring the length and width of your area then multiplying those two numbers together to get the square footage. In fact, you may find that you would benefit from multiple umbrellas instead of only one depending upon the size of the space that you wish to shelter, or if there is more than one area to consider. Patio umbrellas also come in a variety of different shapes and are no longer restricted to traditional shapes such as round, square or rectangular. They can be designed trapezoidal or asymmetric solutions based on the surface you wish to be covered, and customized umbrellas are a great option for your challenging or extremely unique space. Choosing the shape of your patio umbrella canopy is determined by the shape of the table or space you want to cover, any physical constraints, and your aesthetic preference. With all these great options, you have the flexibility to create nearly any space you desire. Before deciding on a specific style, size and shape, ask the experts at Poggesi. Our patio umbrellas come in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles, designs, and colors and we also customize design. We’re the experts in patio design and shade and can help you select the best option for your outdoor space. Our umbrellas are crafted in Italy by our engineers and artisans and created to your unique vision and aesthetics. Our finely crafted fabrics are beautiful, unique, and durable. Available in a variety of elegant colors, our high-quality TÜV certified umbrellas look great, withstand tough weather, and are easy to maintain, and our patented umbrella technology makes it easy to open and close your weather-resistant umbrellas with a mere touch and a push. Let us show you why we are the leaders in “The Art of Creating Shade.” For more information, please contact us.