While Away the Hours Outdoors by Choosing the Right Umbrella Base
Once midsummer heat takes over, even desperate sun lovers (like myself) beg for some shade. As much as I enjoy soaking up the sun, sometimes it can get pretty difficult to stay outside. This really kills my mood because I love having lunch in the company of my family all while we’re all getting some fresh air.
Well, the key to achieving this is, of course, a well-tended garden and a sturdy and eye-catching umbrella. Umbrellas can really make a difference when it comes spending warm afternoons outside. But wait, aren’t we missing something? Oh, yeah, the base of the umbrella. Even though insignificant, the right umbrella base is the key to having a peaceful time outdoors as you surely don’t want to chase your umbrella around if sunny turns into a storm.
An adequate base is a must (size wise) as not all umbrella bases are designed to hold the same umbrellas. The right umbrella bases will not only keep the umbrella straight in sunny days but will also hold it steady in a case of an unexpected strong wind.
Make Sure It’s Strong Enough
Besides the aforementioned things, it’s important to determine the diameter and take into account whether your umbrella will stand alone or it will go through the table.
Free-Standing Umbrella Stand |
|
Umbrella Shade Size (centimetres) |
Minimum Base Size (kg) |
137 |
18 |
183 |
23 |
229 |
23 |
244 or 244 x 304 |
34 |
274 |
34 |
198 x 304 |
34 |
355 |
34 |
Through-Table Umbrella Stand |
|
Umbrella Shade Size (centimetres) |
Minimum Base Size (kg) |
137 |
14 |
183 |
14 |
229 |
14 |
244 or 244 x 304 |
23 |
274 |
23 |
198 x 304 |
23 |
355 |
23 |
Carefully Choose the Size
Once you have determined how heavy the umbrella stand should be, now is the time to carefully choose the proper size for your umbrella pole. Generally speaking, almost all umbrella poles are 4cm in diameter, however, this is not a rule of thumb as they can range in size. According to manufacturers, it is best to choose an umbrella base with sleeve diameter that will be the right size for your umbrella pole. Just don’t forget to check if the umbrella pole fits through the hole in your table (in case you have an umbrella through-table).
Pick the Style
Just like the umbrella itself, umbrella bases come in different styles, colours and shapes which give you the freedom to choose the one that will complement your outdoor space. If you want a portable umbrella which you can move from one place to another, it is best to pick a hollow umbrella base. You can fill it either with water or with sand in order to reach the designated weight. The other option you have is to choose a metal, resin or concrete umbrella stand. They come in a range of different styles which will ease your decision. In case you plan to leave it outside throughout the year, make sure you use an umbrella cover to protect it from the weather elements.
For the creative minds, you can go for a DIY umbrella stand, however, it is recommended to buy one if you want to rest assured your umbrella won’t flip out and fall when the wind starts to blow.