How to Choose a Garden Parasol and Its Accessories?

by Kateryna

2 Materials

Easy

Parasol made of wood or aluminum: perfect for sunbathing on the terrace or on the balcony! Round, rectangular or eccentric parasol; In addition to its structure, you have to choose your fabric and grammage: acrylic or polyester fabric; density of 220 gr / m² 250 g / m² etc.

Which parasol model to choose?

To satisfy your expectations and respond to different types of spaces, there are three types of sunshades.

The fixed parasol: the classic round, square or rectangular fabric parasol with aluminum or wood mast. It is available in different colors and sizes to take it to the beach or leave it on the terrace. Generally, the parasol fabric is made of polyester and fastened with 6 rods of steel, aluminum or wood - rods that hold the fabric.

The reclining parasol: responds to the same criteria as the fixed parasol. Thanks to a ball joint (mechanical part) located at the top, the fabric of the reclining parasol can be oriented according to the position of the sun. You will be protected all day in the blink of an eye!

The eccentric parasol: the eccentric parasol is not placed in the center of the table, but on the sides. Reclinable and adjustable thanks to its rotating handle and its crank, the eccentric sunshade can deploy a tarpaulin between 3 and 4 meters in range. The materials are the same as those of the reclining parasol, however, the most common structure is that of aluminum since it resists, without any type of treatment, to inclement weather.

How to choose the parasol base?

To succeed with the choice of the mast, there are two fundamental aspects to consider:

The diameter must match that of the structure;

The weight is established depending on the structure if your parasol has large dimensions

Knowing this, the base of the wooden, plastic or filler mastic with water or sand will be sufficient for a round and straight parasol of small dimensions. But for sunshades XXL retangulares or eccentric, they are preferable cement bases, of cast iron or granite. As for the form, it will depend on your tastes!

Normally, the eccentric parasols are designed with a cross-shaped foot to ensure stability. In that case, you can fill all four feet thanks to cement slabs or reconstructed stone. And if you want to fix the foot with plugs or pegs there are holes for this type of fixation is possible.

How to choose the parasol fabric?

To choose the most suitable fabric for your parasol, it is necessary to take into account its density and material

The density: it is calculated according to its grammage per m². There are no specific rules, but the thicker the fabric, the better protected you will be from the sun's rays. In addition to the grammage, the descriptive sheet of the parasol must mention the index UVI - ultraviolet index - keep in mind the following:

weak protection: between 10 and 19;

high protection: between 20 and 29;

very high protection: between 30 and 49;

Extreme: 50 and more.

The material is of vital importance due to its intrinsic properties:

Polyester is the most common and is often waterproof. Dark colors tend to fade, so you should fold the parasol when you are not going to use it, even protect it with a cover;

Acrylic is more expensive, but better quality: anti-stain, water-repellent, oleophobic, treated against mildew, colors resist better deterioration by use or over time and better preserves freshness.

Do you need a replacement garden parasol fabric? Do you want your parasol to shine during the new season? Choose Replacement Garden Parasol Covers from more than 100 colors available from our sample book and attract all eyes towards your terrace. Start your new season with a new fabric on your parasol!

One last tip for you to buy the perfect parasol

The round fabric parasols will only protect small surfaces, it is ideal for your terrace or balcony.

The rectangular fabrics cover a greater part of the surface and at the same time offer a good stability against the wind thanks to the rigid base.

In winter, keep your parasol in a dry place and if you cannot keep it inside, think about protecting it with a case, also called a protective case!