Offset Umbrellas With Side Post Umbrella Stands

When furnishing your pool, patio or deck area, one of the most important items that you need to consider is an offset umbrella with side post umbrella stands. While most of us love lounging around in the sun without a protective umbrella, excessive exposure to the sun can cause permanent damage to the skin quite quickly. Offset umbrellas, apart from providing protection against the sun, are also an excellent way to enhance your outdoor décor. They come in a wide variety of fabrics, colors, sizes, and shapes.

So, What is an Offset Umbrella exactly?

Offset umbrellas are designed in such a way that there is more space available beneath the umbrella. Their main distinctive feature is that instead of having the pole in the middle, as most other patio umbrellas are designed to have, offset umbrellas have side post umbrella stands, or, the pole at the side. This is particularly useful if there is no hole in the middle of your outdoor table, or if you want to make the maximum use of the space under the umbrella. Also, since offset umbrellas are freestanding, they are very useful for providing shade when using just seating, without needing to have a table.

Moreover, because an offset umbrella has its pole (or poles, depending on the size) on the side, instead of in the middle, it enables you to pitch the umbrella at various angles over patios, chairs and tables, according to the sun’s rays.

If you are thinking of buying an offset umbrella, here are a few tips that you could find helpful:

Take Measurements of the Area: Take measurements of the area that you want your umbrella to cover. While it is not necessary to cover the whole patio, it is a good idea to provide shade over chairs or on a table. So, get your tape measure and measure the area out carefully, jotting down the measurements in a notebook, which you can take along with you when you go shopping for the offset umbrella.

Decide on the Material and Color: As far as the material of the offset umbrella is concerned, there is a wide variety to choose from, such as acrylic fibers, thick canvas, and hard plastic. Take into consideration factors like that amount of harsh weather the umbrella will be subjected to, how easy it will be to clean, and whether the color will withstand the sun beating down on it.

Check Out Offset Umbrellas on the Internet: There are many websites online where you can check out the different types of offset umbrellas available. You can compare various kinds of offset umbrellas from several manufacturers on some of these sites, which have different types of mechanisms to get the umbrella open as well as different kinds of materials. The pulley system of opening the umbrella is the most popular, which is akin to shades that people have in their homes. Another way to get the umbrella to open is the same mechanism that is used in ordinary umbrellas that people carry. All that needs to be done is to lift the pole, and let the spokes and the umbrella to unfurl out.

Check Out Offset Umbrellas at your Local Store: Yes, it is a good idea to check them out in person at your local store. Major stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, Osh, Home Depot, and so on sell offset umbrellas. Since offset umbrellas are so heavy, purchasing them online can have a couple of drawbacks. First of all, since it is a major item, it is better to check it out in person, especially if you find the mechanism to open it is easy, as well as other details. And secondly, the shipping charges will be substantial if they are ordered online.

Check for Cheap Deals on Offset Umbrellas: Tag sales and online community sites are a great means of finding cheap offset umbrellas. Since offset umbrellas that are used to cover an outdoor table or patio are heavy and cost a lot of money to be moved long distances, they are often offered on sale. Hence, this can be a good way of getting an item that costs a few thousand dollars at a much cheaper rate.

Offset umbrellas for your patio can offer several options for providing shade for both large and small gatherings. When you shop for these umbrellas, take your time examine them closely, especially the material they are made of. High quality materials are more resistant to outdoor conditions like the sun and the rain, and hence will last for many years. And, in case the material should tear, it will be much cheaper to repair it rather than to have it replaced. Many offset umbrella manufacturers also sell a top or canvas as replacement.