A patio umbrella is a must-have piece of furniture for Australian summer. The patios can become unbearably hot if you don’t shade them from the sun. The UV rays can damage your skin and health too if you remain overexposed to the sun. And we all want to feel safe, don’t we?
So it is extremely important that you install a cantilever or patio umbrella immediately before the start of summer. Besides the sun, the umbrella will also protect you from the rain as well, thereby making it a utility product.
However, there could be occasions when windy weather can cause problems. An open café outdoor umbrella could catch the wind and rattle in its stand. At times, a strong wind can also blow away or topple your restaurant umbrella and there is nothing more frustrating than seeing your umbrella falling over or getting damaged or hurting someone.
Umbrellas for restaurants that aren’t properly secured thus not only become a cause of embarrassment but also harm the reputation of the commercial enterprise. So, how do you keep a patio umbrella from falling over?
In this blog, we will tell you seven ways in which you can keep your umbrella secured. However, we must also take this occasion to warn you that irrespective of the methods you use to stabilise an umbrella, a strong wind can still blow away or flip over your umbrella. So it is suggested that you close and pack your umbrella if the wind speed increases.
- Use a patio table: A strong patio table made of durable material can support an umbrella pole effectively. The umbrella goes through the hole in the middle of the table and stays upright. We suggest you use a table made of aluminum. A sturdy patio table not only prevents a patio umbrella from falling over, but it can also act as a piece of great furniture for social gatherings, placing food or drinks, and much more.
- Air vents: An umbrella with air vents can help in preventing the umbrella from toppling over. The vents allow air to come through the canopy and make the umbrella more secure. The air also helps in reducing the temperature underneath the umbrella. Many wind-resistant umbrellas come with air vents these days but it’s always advisable that you check the product before making a purchase.
- Install umbrellas near fixed structure: As already stated, added protection might not prove to be enough when a powerful wind storm blows. Especially if you are living in a windy area, you need to be proactive to avoid or limit unnecessary damage. A good way of doing it is finding an area close to a fixed structure like a fence or building wall that will help in blocking winds from hitting your cantilever or patio umbrella. However, if there is a large wind storm blowing, we suggest closing your umbrella and storing it inside.
- Avoid wooden frames: Wooden can look aesthetic and classy in a café outdoor umbrella, but then it also carries the risk of breaking easily when it falls. Wind can also snap under strong winds. So it is best to use aluminium, fibreglass or steel frames. These offer more durability and last long compared to wooden frames.
- Heavy-duty base: Irrespective of the size of your umbrella or the location you want to install your umbrella, a heavy-duty base is important to keep your patio umbrella from falling over. A heavy and functional base would keep the umbrella upright and give it more strength to resist winds.
- Additional weights: A heavy-duty base will go a long way in reducing the risk of your patio umbrella falling over. However, you can add more weights like sandbags, water weights, gravel, metal plates, etc. to stabilise your umbrellas.
- Close the umbrella when not in use: Umbrellas for restaurants and cafes are made of stronger materials so that they can resist wear and tear and can be used regularly. Still, it is a good practice to close the umbrellas when you are not using them. If you leave the umbrella unattended, there’s a chance that it can fly away with the wind.
Conclusion:
A patio umbrella is an effective device that will help you stay cool in the shade while enjoying the day under the sun. So the last thing you should be concerned about is your umbrella toppling over or blowing away and getting damaged. But following the above-mentioned tips will reduce the chances of your umbrella falling over.
We will leave you with one last thought. Irrespective of buying a good quality wind-resistant umbrella that might prove to be durable and last long, you must not take chances when the wind speed increases. This is because high winds can blow away even the strongest of umbrellas and that’s why you must close the umbrella when you face such situations. It is always better to be safe than sorry.