If you are searching for a painless way to update the look of your patio it can be easily done with the purchase of a beautiful outdoor patio umbrella. You may be very astonished at the difference a vibrant colored patio umbrella can make to a lifeless yard, or how finding just the right match for your existing décor can give your patio a fresh look. Choosing the right size, color and type of patio umbrella can seem {difficult|stressful|a bit overwhelming|; this article will give you here are some of the basics that will assist you in choosing the right type of umbrella.

The first thing to consider when you are looking for an outdoor umbrella is the type of umbrella you need. There are three key types of patio umbrellas: aluminum, wood and wind resistant. Selecting between aluminum and wood is basically personal preference, but deciding on a wind resistant umbrella is based more on need.

Wood outdoor umbrellas, or market umbrellas as many call them, are the original outdoor patio umbrella. The pole and rib arms (the parts that support the canopy) are made of wood. These umbrellas usually open and close by manually lifting the canopy and place a pin to hold it in place and have a strong wood construction. This is a smart option to have in commercial settings, because there are a smaller number of parts that customers can adjust themselves which will significantly add to wear and tear. In subsequent years in the life of the market umbrella the pulley lift system was introduced. This made opening and closing a wood umbrella much easier than the push and pin lift system, particularly for residential uses. These umbrellas provide an elegant and stately feel to a backyard and have been a classic choice for decades.

An aluminum outdoor umbrella is a more current development in the realm of patio umbrellas. They offer a more lightweight option to the wood market umbrella and a more modern look and feel. They give consumers a product that is pretty maintenance free and have added features that wood outdoor umbrellas are unable to provide. Most aluminum patio umbrellas are designed with easy-to-use crank lift systems and many even have deluxe auto tilt features. These features make it extremely easy to open and tilt your patio umbrella. These outdoor umbrellas are a great complement to cast aluminum patio furniture, but can be a great addition to any existing décor. Most aluminum outdoor umbrellas offer extended warranties which add to their appeal.

Now, while your selection between an aluminum outdoor umbrella and a wood umbrella is based on personal preference, your choice to buy a wind resistant umbrella should be based more on need. Wind resistant umbrellas are the right decision for places that deal with abrupt gusts of wind or for locations near the beach. Wind resistant umbrellas are built with flexible fiberglass rib arms that bend with the wind. This allows you more time to get to your umbrella and close it if the winds get too strong, keeping it safe from damage. While these umbrellas do give you more time to get to your umbrella and close it, wind resistant does not mean wind proof. The additional flexibility of these umbrellas permits them to withstand winds for longer periods than a wood or aluminum umbrella can, but you should always close your umbrella if conditions warrant it.

This information should assist you in choosing the perfect type of outdoor umbrella for you and your backyard or patio.