There are thousands of outdoor umbrellas on the market that claim they are made from top-quality materials. But how do you know which material is the best for your umbrella? Of course, you have an idea that the best fabric for umbrellas is the one that will be UV-resistant and waterproof. But even then, it becomes tricky to choose the best outdoor umbrella in Australia among different options.
You have to consider several things before purchasing a heavy duty outdoor umbrella. Luckily, we are here to guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision.
Types of fabric
Choosing the fabric for your umbrella is one of the crucial decisions you have to make when buying a large outdoor umbrella. This is because the fabric must be strong enough to protect you from the heat and glare of the sun as well as the rain. Fabrics are made from different materials and have their own characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks. A top-quality vibrant colourful umbrella with a unique pattern can also add to the décor of your outdoor space.
We look at the common umbrella fabrics that are available in the market.
- Acrylic: Acrylic is generally considered to be one of the best umbrella fabrics. It can be used both for residential and commercial purposes and is also resistant to the elements. It offers you more than 95% protection from the sun’s UV rays and is waterproof too. The texture of the fabric also makes it durable and long-lasting as it can hold the colour of an outdoor umbrella for years. Acrylic comes in multiple solid colours as the material can be solution dyed easily.
- Polyester: Polyester is rich in colour and has similar characteristics when compared to acrylic. However, it fades more easily than acrylic. Soft to the touch, the fabric is adaptable and resilient and is available at a lower cost in comparison to acrylic.
- Olefin: Olefin is a popular choice when it comes to heavy duty outdoor umbrella fabrics because it provides a high degree of UV protection. It is also an eco-friendly and environmentally responsible outdoor fabric that has been crafted to be resilient. It is stain resistant and long-lasting too and is available in various different solid, striped and checked patterns.
- PVC Vinyl: Polyvinyl chloride is a tough, weather-resistant fabric that is made to resist extreme Australian weather conditions. This material repels the heat and harmful rays of the sun and is ideal for long-term use. They come in a wide range of colour options.
- Spanish recasens: Recasens is a premium and high-quality Spanish acrylic. The fabric is durable and available in beautiful colours and can add an aesthetic touch to your outdoor setting.
- Italian Para Tempotest: Tempotest, too, is a top-quality acrylic fabric. The Italian-made material is known for its high performance and durability. You can choose from vibrant colour options to decorate your outdoors.
Types of frame material
It is not only the fabric of the large outdoor umbrella that matters. Choosing the right material for your umbrella frame is equally important. The three primary materials used to construct frames of outdoor umbrellas in Australia are wood, aluminium and fiberglass. We tell you the characteristics of each material:
- Wood: Wooden-framed umbrellas might have a classic appeal but we advise you not to use them. They tend to snap easily when facing strong winds and are, therefore, less durable. Made of costly raw materials, wood umbrellas are also very expensive.
- Aluminium: Aluminium is one of the most popular choices when it comes to outdoor umbrella frames. It is lightweight, durable, and inexpensive. The material also gives away a sleek modern vibe to open spaces. Most aluminium frames resist corrosion and other signs of wear and tear. Aluminium frames are inherently strong and come in a wide variety of finishes. The best part is aluminium doesn’t easily break in high winds and is a good investment.
- Fiberglass: Large outdoor umbrellas with fiberglass frames are one of the most durable products. Fiberglass is lightweight and strong. It is also more flexible than wood or aluminium, thereby making it wind-resistant. They are also rust and corrosion-resistant. They come in multiple colours, which helps them blend into any outdoor setting.
- Steel: Stainless steel is a strong material that is naturally corrosion-resistant because of its chromium and nickel content. However, we must take this opportunity to warn you that harsh saltwater conditions can cause some corrosion. Steel is also resilient to rust and therefore are good choices for coastal areas.
Conclusion
Apart from sheltering you from the sun and rain, outdoor umbrellas serve multiple purposes today such as marketing, promotion and fashion accessories, among others. However, it is the water-resistant and UV-protection factors that add value to an umbrella.
Under the circumstance, an umbrella’s UV protection is directly proportional to the kind of fabric it uses. However, it is seen that the UV protection levels drop when the fabrics are exposed to moisture. This is the reason why water-resistant outdoor umbrellas are the best choice when it comes to shielding you from UV rays. So it is essential that you consider these two factors when you buy umbrellas made of the above-mentioned fabrics.
