Patio Umbrella Stand

A Wide Variety of Patio Umbrella Stands

In the earlier part of this century, when technology was not as advanced as it is today, people heading to the beach had to make arrangements for their outdoor umbrella. Most people dug up a hole in the sand and the umbrella was planted in it. It was much later that the same beach umbrella became an extremely common patio furniture accessory. But you certainly couldn’t dig a hole in your patio. As a result, most patio tables were accommodated with an opening in the center which served as the base for the patio umbrella. It served the purpose alright but wasn’t very flexible. What if you wanted to move the umbrella to another corner of the garden? You had to move the entire table along. This is why umbrella stands were created. Umbrella stands are a portable base for the outdoor or garden umbrella and provide it stability on almost any kind of surface. You simply have to fit the umbrella in the opening provided in the center of the stand and lock it. Umbrella stands are an important part of any outdoor furniture set today. Most people who invest in an outdoor umbrella also invest in a stand.

Factors to be considered

Choosing the right umbrella stand is extremely crucial and it should be the precise size and weight to provide the necessary stability to the umbrella. Some umbrella stands work with the center tables. There are others which are free standing umbrella stands. They come in all kinds of materials as well which includes cast iron, wrought iron, brass, wood, wicker, plastic and resin. Most of them are designed to resemble classic art ensembles and have intrinsic patterns on them. So there are Tuscany designs, European designs, sunflower designs, Chinese designs and many other designs to choose from. Weight is an extremely important factor and you should always understand the weight requirements for umbrella stands. Umbrella stands that weigh 20-45lbs are usually ideal for tables. The main function of these umbrella stands is to prevent the umbrella from floating off in a strong breeze. Freestanding umbrellas on the other hand require a much heavier base. A typical 9 to 10 feet umbrella requires a stand that weighs at least 75lbs. Always look at the quality, design and the reliability of the product that you choose.

Some types

Since weight is an important factor, you will find that most patio umbrella stands are made of heavy duty materials. Cast iron is one of them. Brown cast iron umbrella stands are made of the best quality cast iron and coated with a rust proof chemical. This prevents the cast iron from rusting. It will last for four to five years without the need for any kind of retouching. The best part about cast iron is that most stands weigh almost 50 pounds and you do not need any added weight distribution for the umbrellas. Another material that is commonly used to make stands is brass. Brass is equally heavy and actually looks better than cast iron. But a brass umbrella stand can easily develop a mold like condition called verdigris. It needs to be maintained from time to time to ensure that it lasts long. Wooden umbrella stands will enhance the look of the umbrella but it needs added weight to be added to provide stability. If you are planning to buy a wooden umbrella stand then ensure that you only choose the best quality wood. An antique oak umbrella stand would be a good choice. Some people also choose a wicker umbrella stand. Eventually it depends on personal choice and budget.

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