If I get a dollar every time outdoor umbrellas fall or fly away with the wind, I would be the richest man ever!
Hotels, resorts and beach staff know exactly what we are talking about. Every time the wind blows, guests and employees start worrying about flying umbrellas. With every fallen umbrella, there’s a logical explanation – either it is not well-installed or the wrong material has been used.
In order to avoid having the umbrellas end up in the pool or hurting someone, we will share with you tactics that will keep your outdoor umbrellas from falling:
Using proper materials such as aluminum or eucalyptus wood
Most of you will probably agree that not all kinds of woods can be used as outdoor umbrellas ribs as they are easily breakable. And in these situations, what is needed is a material that can withstand wind and sudden storms. So what could this magical material be? If you are a fan of wooden finishing, eucalyptus would be your best option. It is known for being strong, durable and gives a special touch to any outdoor.
Another great option for outdoor umbrellas ribs and frames is aluminum. As seen previously (Why Aluminum is An Effective Material for Outdoor Furniture?), aluminum is one of the best materials for outdoor furniture. It is known for its strength and longevity, and for this reason it is used in most of our Jardinico’s umbrellas. However, aluminum is a lightweight material, so setting it up solidly from the bottom will insure keeping outdoor umbrellas from falling.
Using a heavy base
Going with any of the two materials mentioned previously is one step. The second step would be using a heavy base that stabilizes the outdoor umbrella.
Fixing it up in the center of a table or placing a soft base is not enough. What needs to be done is to support the patio umbrellas with strong bases. Although using a sand-filled base or a planter can be an option, it’s definitely not the most reliable one. In order to get the optimum result, use granite or cement bases which are known for being heavy weight, classy, and hardly movable.
Matching the size of the umbrella with the base’s weight
It is true that placing a weight to better install the umbrella is effective. However, there’s a science behind it in order to know what should the base weight be according to the size of the umbrella. To spare you the boring calculus and formulas, here’s a general guideline for outdoor umbrella sizes with table support:
- Between 1.82m and 2.3m, use a base of 16 kg
- Between 2.3m and 2.8m, use a base between 18 kg and 25 kg
- Between 2.8m & 3.35m, a base between 30 kg & 35 kg.
A base of more than 45 kg can handle any umbrella, even without a table support.
Also, for big deported umbrellas, in special windy areas, Jardinico provides stone or cement blocks that reach up to 100 kgs.
Closing the outdoor umbrellas when not in use
One of the most common mistakes committed by hotels, resorts and beaches employees, is keeping the umbrellas open even if no one is using them. Minimize the chance of damaging your outdoor umbrellas, or hurting your guests, by keeping unused parasols closed at all time. In addition, when closed, make sure that the cord tightly surrounds the fabric preventing it to open when wind arises.
These tactics to prevent outdoor umbrellas from falling are both life and cost saving. Therefore, any business in the hospitality industry must take these steps into consideration for guests satisfaction and safety. Get in touch with your hospitality outdoor furniture manufacturer for effective umbrellas that won’t end up in the pool or on someone’s head.
