It’s pretty simple to buy a base for an umbrella right? Well, not so fast. There’s a whole lot of other factors to add into the mix before you work out which is best for what you need it for. As Patio Umbrellas are often bought separately to the stand, it is easy to buy an incompatible one.
You must consider:
1: The size of the Outdoor Umbrella
2: Where the Outdoor Umbrella will be used
First off, the two broad categories of umbrella bases. If you are planning on using your umbrella with a table, you can do with a lighter base because the table will add to the support for your umbrella, but a free standing umbrella will require a weightier base with a wider stand as well.
Patio Umbrella to Stand Weight Ratio
The rule of thumb for umbrella stands varies, depending on support and location. Just like a beach umbrella, if it’s going to stand against the wind, you will need a sufficient weight ratio to secure it. But generally, these rules apply:
35 lbs up to 7-foot umbrellas in table
Up to 55 lbs for up to 9 foot umbrellas in table
Up to 75 lbs for up to 11 foot umbrellas in table
Up to 75 lbs for up to 9 foot umbrellas freestanding in low wind areas
100+ lbs for freestanding umbrellas above this size, but this is in very rare circumstances, and rarely with tables due to the bulkiness beneath the table.
Patio Umbrella Build Quality
Of course, if you are living in a high wind area, you’re going to want to buy a quality umbrella in the first place, as it will have significant pressure applied to it anyway.
Patio Umbrella Wheels
Another consideration for the base is that it have lockable wheels. Obviously, moving 70 pounds isn’t exactly easy for everyone, or safe. But if the wheels can’t be locked, it entirely defeats the purpose anyway. Another option is to find a base which you can fill with water, and empty when relocating.
Patio Umbrella Lights
Many Patio Umbrellas are fitted with lights to enable usage 24 hours a day, and are often used in autumn when you may get warm days, but the light fades early, so consider what the weather is like in the first half of Spring and last half of Autumn, and how much you plan to use it at night the rest of the year around.
Patio Umbrella Heaters
When looking at Outdoor Patio Heaters, you need look at the diameter of your umbrella. Will it warm the people sitting under it? Usually a diameter of twenty feet is sufficient when looking at a heater. The best way to judge this is to look at the BTU. Some may raise temperature by up to twenty degrees in some situations. Of course this is clearly too much to put into this article, but worth considering in the colder months.
Originally posted 2010-10-04 15:12:37. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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