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Beach Umbrellas

Beach Umbrellas

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Beach Umbrella Buying Guide

Enjoy all the sun without all of the burn with a fashionable beach umbrella No matter if you are in your private backyard or on a public beach in sunny Florida, they will allow you to enjoy the great outdoors while avoiding the dangers of the sun. In order to meet your personal style and needs, there are many options to consider when buying a sun shelter.

UV Protection :

The primary decision that needs to be made before buying a beach umbrella is knowing where and how you intend to use it. Will you be outside/at the beach all day? Will you use sunblock in addition to the beach umbrella, or are you expecting the umbrella to be your only protection?

UV Rating :

The product's main purpose is to protect us from the harmful effects of the sun. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a minimum of 30 UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) for any skin-protective fabric. However, if you will be using it all day or are not using sunblock also, then look for a higher UPF number, which will offer more protection. Darker colors help to naturally block out more sunlight and vinyl, acrylic, and polyester are the best beach umbrella fabric options for blocking out the effects of the sun's rays. Beach Umbrellas made by SolarGuard Umbrellas offer UPF of 150+ and feels 15 deg. cooler in the shade.

Frame Structure :

The stability and durability of your beach umbrellas is also very important. The ribs (the frame that supports the fabric and pushes it outward when you open the umbrella) are very important to help your sun shelter keep its shape. A strong wind can easily bend the ribs of an umbrella and even invert it. Fiberglass ribs are more flexible and will not flex or bend out of shape. Steel ribs are less desirable, especially in salty environments, where the ribs can easily rust and become destroyed. The white powder coating on the steel ribs will minimize the rusting.

Pole :

The pole is the main support structure of your entire sun shelter. If weight is important to you, then aluminum is the best option. However, aluminum is not as strong as the other options. If strength is more important to you, then both wood and steel are much stronger than aluminum. However, steel can rust and wood can rot, so it is important that these poles be stored in a dry place. White powder coating on the steel pole will reduce the rusting. Most of the beach umbrellas are designed with the pole in two sections for portability. The folded length is usually from 30 to 50 inches.

Beach Umbrella Holders :

Wind can be dangerous to any beach umbrella. Thus, Beach Umbrella Holder as is an essential accessory if you plan on using the umbrella on a beach. The material of a sand anchor is not as important as the weight and ability of the anchor to stay firmly attached to the ground. In areas of higher winds, the security of your anchor becomes increasingly important.

Beach Umbrella Stands :

An umbrella base is equally important in order to provide a firm and flat surface for the umbrella. They allow the umbrella to stand upright and also protect your deck or ground while you are at home using your umbrella. Light and strong umbrella bases made of aluminum are an extra requirement on a windy beach. However, if you are planning on simply using your umbrella at home, then concrete, steel, or iron are ideal if you don't plan on moving your umbrella. Plastic and fiberglass, however, are more convenient and have the added benefit of not scratching up your walking surface.

Air Vent :

Venting is an important feature to consider when buying a beach umbrella, especially if you live in or will be traveling to a windy area. Venting, especially wide vents will allow trapped air to escape and protect your sun shelter from damage and prevent it from being picked up by the wind.

Tilting :

Another important feature to look for in a beach umbrella is tilting. This allows you to adjust your umbrella in the optimum position in order to block the sun. However, be careful when using this feature during windy conditions, as damage may occur.

Canopy Size :

The shade area is determined by the arc dimension of canopy dome, which ranges from 6 foot to 8 foot. The shade area may vary depending on time of the day and tilting position of the canopy. The valance skirting helps for additional shade area.

No matter if you are on the beach or picnic site looking to catch up on your reading, or in your backyard next to your favorite picnic table, beach umbrellas are indispensable. The beach umbrellas provides you with the protection you require to maintain a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing your fun in the sun. Another great alternative are Beach Chairs with Canopy available at BeachMall.com