Summer Sun Days

Summer is all about entertaining, starting with sunny days outside. Beginning with late spring and heading into fall, the outdoor season is filled with some of our favorite activities, including relaxing on your porch, patio or poolside; outdoor cookouts and other al fresco dining; and—of course—outdoor entertaining.

From the perfect patio set to outdoor deep seating that’s both comfortable and durable, there are many pieces you need to maximize your time spent outdoors. An awesome grill or outdoor cooker, like the Big Green Egg Cooker, will get you one step closer to the perfect outdoor parties; and don’t forget a cooler for refreshing drinks.

Get ideas for your perfect patio set-up with our Patio Trends 2019 blog post.

Another item that shouldn’t be overlooked is a shade solution for your patio or poolside area. A shady spot does more than just protect your skin from burns. It also helps protect your food and drinks from the sun’s rays, does away with bothersome sun glare as you chat with friends, and helps keep your patio furniture cool and comfortable to the touch. Basically, shade solutions such as a patio umbrella make sunny summer days more comfortable for relaxation and dining, helping you get the max enjoyment out of days spent outside.

Patio Umbrellas

One of the easiest and most versatile ways to add shade to your outdoor space is through the use of an outdoor umbrella. There are many types, styles and sizes of patio umbrellas. Today, the term market umbrella is often used synonymously with patio umbrellas. There are a wide range of styles available, and variants such as the materials that are used. The standard size range for residential patio umbrellas is 6 – 11’ diameter. Market umbrellas can be in the center of an outdoor patio table, or they can stand alone with a weighted base, which is typically sold separately.

When it comes to market umbrellas, these are the terms and features that you should know:

• Standard patio umbrellas feature a hand crank to open and close the shade, which stays in place. These umbrellas may not have a canopy top tilt option.
• Auto-tilt patio umbrellas feature a convenient auto-tilt feature that offers a great way to keep the sun out of your eyes without having to change your seat as the afternoon progresses. Tilt mechanism is in the crank handle process.
• Collar tilt umbrellas have a tilt mechanism at the middle of the pole, separate from the crank mechanism that adjusts the angle of the canopy tilt.
• Push-button patio umbrellas are similar to the auto-tilt models, but instead of using a crank to tilt the umbrella, they feature a push-button mechanism towards the top of the pole below the canopy. Simply push the button once the canopy is fully open, and you can position it at the angle.

Another popular type of outdoor umbrella is a cantilever umbrella. While a market umbrella features a pole in the middle of the canopy, the cantilever umbrella canopy is supported by a pole that is on the side. The shade canopy assembly hangs from the pole structure. This design can give you more flexibility for positioning the umbrella around your outdoor space. For instance, it is ideal for positioning shade over outdoor dining, deep seating such as outdoor sofas, hot tubs and even hammocks. Cantilever umbrellas are often a bit larger than market umbrellas—they have a standard size range of 8’ – 13’ in diameter.

Whether you choose a market or cantilever umbrella, there are a few things you should know to protect your shade solution investment. First, an umbrella is only as good as it’s foundation. Umbrella bases range in style and use, so it’s important to choose a base that provides the support you require. A patio sales expert can provide answers about the correct base to use with the size and style of umbrella that you select. Also, it’s important to remember that these patio umbrellas are meant to provide shade—not protect against wind. To protect your umbrella, it should be kept down when not in use.

Finally, a protective umbrellas cover can help you get the most life out of your umbrella by reducing fading, keeping the umbrellas cleaner (less maintenance!) and helping control wind and other weather damage. Choose an umbrella cover that is easy to put on and compact to store when not in use.

Permanent Shade Solutions

If you are looking for a more permanent shade solution, there are several options available. An outdoor pergola or gazebo are good choices for larger backyards and patios. These solid structures come in a variety of materials and styles, and offer shade solutions for outdoor spaces that have windy conditions. Choose from permanent shade solutions that feature straight and modern lines for a cool and contemporary look; or choose a curvy, wooden structure to give your space a warm and romantic feel. You can even dress up your pergola or gazebo with crawling vines, fabric curtains, all-weather fabric tops for more shade, and even mesh netting to keep out pesky critters. Plus, they are great for sectioning off areas of your outdoor space, easily creating a cozy conversation corner or a functional dining zone.

Retractable awnings can be attached to the side of your house to create a shady area on your deck or patio. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles, and with different features, such as a basic hand crank or a motorized version.

Learn even more about patio and deck umbrellas with our patio umbrella buying guide.

With the perfect patio and poolside set-up, including important sun protection for you and your guests, you can enjoy outdoor dining and activities from breakfast to dinner, and from your morning dip in the pool to an afternoon spent reading a book with your feet up. Bring on the sun!

Read part two of this blog series, Summer Nights, coming soon, for tips on outdoor evening entertaining.