COMPARISION
FRAME
The components of a frame make up the “bones” of your Umbrella. Here is some helpful information about the different pieces and parts:
Finial – The finial adds decorative functionality to your shade structure. It provides the finishing touch to the aesthetics of the top. It also serves the functional purpose of anchoring the top of the shade cover fabric to the frame.
Rib Assembly – The rib arms are the pieces of your frame that spread and support the shade cover into the open position. More ribs equal more strength and stability. The Fiberglass ribs featured on our Wind Resistant types are outstanding at absorbing wind gusts without breaking and last four to five times longer than traditional wood or aluminum ribs.
Hub – The hub is where the center ribs attach to the pole of the patio umbrella. The hub is a movable piece set at the center pole to ensure that the ribs stay attached as the umbrella opens and closes.
Pulley & Pin – Although many aluminum units have cranks as a mechanism to raise and lower the unit, most wood styles have a push up mechanism or pulley & pin type of feature to raise it to the proper height. We highly recommend a simple manual push up type of operation with pin & hole option to keep the shade open for commercial applications. All too often restaurants and commercial resorts have challenges with patrons opening & closing units with pulleys and cranks resulting in damage or serious safety hazard issues from collapsing frames to the un-aware customers beneath the structure.
Tilt Mechanism – Many residential styles have tilt mechanisms as a special feature to provide additional shade options for outdoor sun protection. Tilt features come in various arrangements, including buttons at the top portion of the umbrella underneath the rib arm hub, or crank feature tilts in conjunction with the crank handle. As a general rule, we NEVER recommend tilt or crank features in a commercial application.
Pole – The most common pole materials are wood or aluminum, but also may be fiberglass, steel, plastic or resin composite types. Some commercial grade solid pole types come as single pieces which add considerable strength to help them better withstand wind pressure and the rigors of outdoor commercial applications around hotel & apartment pool areas, or restaurant applications.
Most poles are assembled in two pieces for ease of shipping and storage and are either put together by a push button coupling or a threaded coupling. Threaded couplings provide the most strength and sturdiness in a 2-piece pole while push buttons provided ease of use.
Crank – A crank is a device that is rotated to open the unit and consists of the crank housing and the crank handle. The basic aluminum style has either a manual push open lift or a rope pulley system to lift the shade canopy open but certain market umbrellas have the tilt-mechanism incorporated with the crank feature to make tilting the unit easy as well. Crank types are NOT recommended for use in commercial applications.
Base – While the base is NOT part of the umbrella frame, it is a crucial part of the overall components as it gives the umbrella stability and allows the umbrella to remain upright (depending on its application). Please review the “Umbrella Bases” section below on the proper procedures of sizing a base and how to choose the right base for your umbrella. The diagrams above show the base as an example showing proper usage. Please note: the base is considered an accessory and, in most instances, is sold separately.
MEASURE
IMPORTANT NOTE: There are hundreds of umbrella manufacturers all over the world. Most umbrella manufacturers build individual umbrellas to their own specifications, meaning that all umbrellas are not created equal and or built to the same length, diameter and thickness.
“Most Patio umbrellas will very in width up to several inches depending on each manufacturer”.
Example: A true 9’ umbrella span would be 108 inches (12” x 9” = 109”). However, particular rib arms may be up to several inches longer or shorter, causing the over all umbrella span to be greater or smaller then 109” actual inches.
Choosing the size needed is typically determined by the shade diameter of a particular unit. To choose the properly-sized unit, you must first determine the size of the table or area to be shaded. The general rule is to choose an umbrella five (5) feet larger than the area you want to shade. Here are some guidelines to sizing your shade area for tables:
- 6 foot shade diameter will cover up to a 30-inch bistro or café tables and usually only two (2) chairs.
- 7 foot shade diameter will cover up to a 36-inch bistro or café tables and typically two (2) to four (4) chairs.
- 9 foot shade diameter will cover up to 48-inch round or square dining tables with four (4) to six (6) chairs (sometimes more depending on tilt options and varying degrees of sun).
- 11 foot shade diameter will cover up to 60-inch round or square dining tables and 72-inch oval and rectangular tables typically with six (6) to eight (8) chairs.
CARE & MAINTENANCE
Please never leave your umbrella open unattended in windy conditions. If in any doubt please close and secure the umbrella
with the ties provided on the canvas top. Caution should always be taken to prevent the umbrella blowing over .
Please only use correct weighted base for your size of umbrella. If in any doubt please refer to the accessories section for guidance.
The setting knob provided on the base must be tightened to secure the umbrella.
Please check all strut fixing bolts(Fittings) once a month and tighten if necessary. Please Note: Open height of umbrella rim is 2.05m.
Aluminium
For cleaning wash down all surfaces with neutral detergent and rinse thoroughly using a damp cloth. Never use wire brushes, steel wool or emery paper.
Stainless Steel
It is recommended a weekly cleaning schedule be implemented consisting of a simple wipe with a soapy cloth and rinsing with clean water Never use wire brushes, steel wool or emery paper.
HardWood
Your wooden product is coated in UV acrylic lacquer specifically formulated for direct use onto solid timber. It is recommended to wipe with a damp cloth on a weekly basis.
Canvas Top
It is recommended to wash your canvas top once a month using neutral detergent , a scrubbing brush and rinsing with clean water. It is recommended to open your umbrella, lay it on its side and wash the canopy without removing it from the frame. Once washed stand straight and allow it to dry naturally in the open position. Do not close it while still wet. Never attempt this in medium to high winds.
WARRANTY
1 year warranty.
Please note, wind damage is not covered under any manufacturers warranty.