Patio Umbrella Information

Sizes

• According to Patio Umbrellas USA, patio umbrellas are available in six-foot, seven-foot, nine-foot and eleven-foot diameters to cover a variety of spaces. The umbrella you choose should be four or five feet larger than the areas of shade desired.

Types

• Patio umbrellas may be free-standing or they may be made to go through the center of a patio table, according to Patio Umbrellas USA.

Frames

• Patio Umbrellas USA indicates that umbrella frames may be made from wood, fiberglass or aluminum. Typical weather in your area should be taken into consideration when choosing a frame to withstand the elements.

Operation

• According to Patio Umbrellas USA, umbrellas are designed to operate by a pulley, manual lift, crank or even remote control.

Fabrics

• Umbrellas are available in a variety of colors in polyester or acrylic. Some of the fabrics are water, mold and mildew resistant and provide as much as 98 percent protection from ultraviolet rays.