Outdoor Umbrella Accessories for Upright and Offset Umbrellas

Not your traditional umbrella

The traditional image of the standard outdoor umbrella is one of it standing near the backyard pool, stuck through a hole in a cheap PVC table, in a plastic base filled with sand. Or if its a little fancy it is an offset umbrella (also known as a side-post umbrella) that has a horizontally-oriented bar to hold the fabric.

The umbrella sits forlornly, disused. But outdoor shade umbrellas have come a long way now. They can be outfitted with various bells and whistles which make them useful, and even beautiful additions to your home.

Umbrella Lights

For starters, when the upright or offset umbrella is in the extended configuration, specialized lights can be fitted into the ribs or hang on the pole of the umbrella, providing illumination to those sitting in the shade. The lighting is advertised to be diffuse so as to provide light without attracting critters and insects. The one drawback is that these lights are powered by battery so you will have to replace or charge them every once in a while. If corded to a power supply, the cord may get in the way.

Stylish bases and stands

The base of the upright umbrella or offset umbrella may also be stylized to suit the design and tastes of the owner's home. There are approximately three types of bases. The base may be made of metal, such as wrought iron or bronze. These metal bases are weighty, up to 20 or 30 pounds to keep the umbrella stable during times of heavy wind. The wrought iron designs look classy, with scrolls, shapes and designs. Another type of umbrella stand or base is the concrete composite. These are solid, dense and very heavy up to 50 pounds which ensure nothing will fly away during bad weather. Concrete bases are suitable for a home or even a commercial setting. Finally, the most common type of outdoor umbrella stand is the resin which can be filled with sand to keep it weighed down, but for ease of transport, they can be emptied. The resins and plastic bases are not as aesthetic, but are pretty robust and easy to maintain compared to the fancier types.

Protecting the protective umbrella

When the outdoor shade upright umbrella or offset umbrella is in a retracted position for extended periods, many homeowners may feel that they need an extra layer of protection against dust and rain. An umbrella cover is used for these purposes. The fabric should be a waterproof material, and the area should be large enough to cover the umbrella entirely. After fitting the cover over the umbrella, there should be a means of tying it down with a cord.

Decorative covering

There is another type of cover that can be placed over regular uprights umbrellas (but not so much on offset and offset umbrellas due to configuration issues) for decorative rather than protective reasons. A natural thatch cover mimics hay or other dry foliage that create a tropical look for the premises. These are laid simply over the top but really change the look!