The Best Material for Patio Umbrellas

Millions of homes have some type of deck attached to the back or side of the house so a family could sit out in the evening when the weather is cooler and enjoy the sunset. The most comfortable way to do this is seated on a patio set with an umbrella overhead. Many people wonder what the best material for patio umbrellas are before purchasing what they need.

When the weather is comfortable outside, many families like to sit out on their decks or patios and enjoy dinner or desert and cocktails. There are several different fabrics that could be considered the best material for patio umbrellas. When shopping for a patio umbrella, be sure to find one that will resist most weather conditions and help protect the family against UV sun rays.

Good patio umbrellas come on stands or they could be attached to a patio table through a hole in the table's center. Most have a sand-filled base at the bottom to keep them from toppling over during a strong wind. Some of the fabrics are conditioned with various chemicals that help them last longer than if they were untreated.

The best material for a patio umbrella is a treated canvas. Canvas is strong, but treated canvas is stronger and lasts longer. Canvas that is painted is often referred to as painted duck or cotton duck and will sometimes have waterproof additives to enhance the longevity of the fabric. A regular canvas without painting or treatment will eventually mildew from the rain and other elements. Be sure to cover or store a treated or painted canvas patio umbrella out of the severe elements and during the off-season so that it will stay fresh longer. It should last about eight to ten years.

There are several man-made materials that are also good for patio umbrella. Polyester with a polyurethane coating will help make a patio umbrella waterproof by providing a nice protective finish on the fabric. The polyurethane coating helps to make the polyester patterns really pop off the fabric however one does need to be careful because the polyurethane coating is highly flammable. This means it is not a good idea to burn candles on the table under the patio umbrella.

Acrylic materials are a good source for outdoor patio umbrellas because they are made of a synthetic fiber that is waterproof. Acrylic fabrics, which are designated for outdoor use, typically will retain dyes and hold a chemical for ultra-violet protection spray for many years, even under the harshest sunlight. They are long-lasting and lightweight; however, they need to be treated with a mildew resistant spray after they have been purchased from the store if they are not already covered by this.