5 Keys to choose your ideal outdoor parasol

The good weather has arrived and the days are getting longer and longer. The hours we spend on our porch, terrace or garden are countless. The outdoor spaces are the absolute protagonists of this summer season, but we will always need a good shade to shelter in the central hours of the day.

Parasols and umbrellas for gardens and terraces have gone from being an expendable accessory to becoming a "must-have" to fully enjoy our outdoor space.

​Choosing a good parasol or parasol that suits our patio, porch or garden is not always entirely simple. Before opting for a particular model you should consider what are the keys to choose the ideal parasol for your outdoor space.

Keep reading if you want to know what criteria to consider to choose a good parasol to fully enjoy this season.

1. Size.

The first things you need to consider before choosing a sunshade is to determine what size your outdoor space is and which area you want to protect from sunlight. Need shade for a couple of sun loungers? for the dining table on the porch? Or for the big corner sofa of the garden?

These questions will determine the size of the umbrella you need,  as ideally it will cover the entire area without leaving anything (or anyone unprotected). For example, a 3x3-metre square parasol offers a shade area of 9 square metres. If we need more protection we should consider a larger parasol or acquire more units and place them together.

2. Parasol base or foot.

Although it may seem secondary, choosing the right base or foot for our umbrella is a fundamental aspect for our safety. Keep in mind that wind exposure is not the same as a garden on the ground floor, on an attic terrace or on the roof of a duplex.

The most economical parasol bases are plastic ones but bear in mind that are not durable and do not give much stability. The best umbrella feet are those made of weatherproof materials such as cement or concrete that are also much heavier and safer. Keep in mind that for a parasol of 3 meters in diameter the ideal would be to have a foot of 60 kilograms.

3. Type of mast.

Parasols may have the mast in the center of the canvas (concentric) or outside the canvas (eccentric).

Eccentric parasols require more investment but can be rotated 360º on their axis to protect different areas depending on the time of day. Being reclining they are ideal to adapt to the sunlight of each moment. These parasols are ideal for gardens and terraces of medium or large size.

4. Colour.

This season the canvas of the parasols are trendy in white, creams and grays. But the choice of color of your parasol or parasol is not merely aesthetic: you have to keep in mind that as long as the color is darker, more will attract sunlight and give you more heat. That’s why white parasols are usually the coolest and most pleasant.

​If you live in an urbanization it is advisable to ask your administrator or community of owners if there are any restrictions regarding the installation of parasols. In some communities they only allow a certain color of canvas and if you acquire a different one they can force you to change it.

5. Canvas material.

Pay special attention to the quality of the sunshade or parasol canvas you will choose. Keep in mind that sun exposure will be total and a cheap tarp will not last you more than a couple of seasons (hopefully).

Ideally, your parasol canvas is made of acrylic material suitable for outdoor spaces such as dralon. olefín or porophin. Another aspect to consider is the weight that should be at least 250 or 300 grams per square meter. The more weight you get more protection from the sun’s rays and extend the life of your parasol.

Come to your nearest PATIO center and discover the latest in outdoor parasols and parasols. We are waiting for you!

Fernando Bueno 

Patio Top Garden Furniture Estepona.