Choosing a Patio Umbrella Stand
The stand is probably the most critical practical component of your patio umbrella. A poor choice in this department could lead to your umbrella literally floating away with a heavy gust of wind, so it’s especially important to make sure that you choose one which is right for your umbrella. Additionally, if your umbrella base doesn’t weigh enough, the umbrella could tip over and fall during bad weather. This could potentially ruin a nice day outside if it hits anything on its way down. Keep these important facts in mind when choosing yours.
Umbrella Size
Larger umbrellas need heavier stands. This goes without exception. You can determine shade size by measuring the diameter of your umbrella. This can easily be done with a tape measurer. If you’re in the store, the shade diameter should be listed on the product.
Stand Alone or In Table
If the patio umbrella stands alone, outside of a confining table, it needs a heavier base in order to maintain its position. A general rule of thumb is that a free standing umbrella needs to up the base weight category by one. So if the umbrella needed a 35 pound base in a table, it’ll need to go one category higher to 50 pounds if it’s a stand alone model.
Pole Diameter
Once you have the weight figured out, the next important thing to consider is choosing a base with a large enough sleeve for the pole. Make sure that you’re aware of the pole diameter for your umbrella so that you’re not left with a base that’s too narrow. Sometimes this is referred to as the ‘neck diameter’.
Details and Aesthetics
Bases come in all sorts of varieties. Now that you’ve determined the practical needs of your base, it’s time to choose one that looks good. Patio umbrella stands are made using a variety of materials, including aluminum, fiberglass, concrete, steel, and resin. Multiple colors and finishes are generally available, too.
Choosing a Stand
Remember when you are choosing a patio umbrella stand to follow this order in narrowing down your choices:
1) Determine the weight needed
2) Make sure the neck diameter is right for your umbrella
3) Pick a stand that looks attractive
When in doubt, always err on the side of caution. Ask for help if you’re unsure of whether or not the weight will be good for your particular umbrella.
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