There is nothing more frustrating than a wobbly outdoor umbrella. Imagine yourself lazing by the pool in the sun under an outdoor umbrella but the umbrella is continuously rattling due to high winds. Or worse, you set up outdoor café umbrellas at your eatery and a strong gust of wind blows away a couple of your umbrellas. This can damage your outdoor commercial umbrellas and there is also a chance that they could destroy property. On top of that, your business enterprise could also earn a bad reputation.
This should however, not scare you away from using outdoor umbrellas, because you cannot make do without umbrellas also. They shelter you from the sun and keep you from getting wet by rains, thereby becoming a crucial element for every outdoor space, be it for your backyard or lawns or pools or for commercial uses in hospitality sector. Therefore, it is extremely important to secure your outdoor umbrellas so that you can carry on with your planned activities
However, it could be a tricky task to ensure that your umbrellas — be it industrial outdoor umbrellas or simple patio umbrellas — stay firmly secured. This is because weather can be extremely fickle in Australia. We know that you are all great planners and can always check the weather forecast online. But even then, it could be hard to predict weather at times. All it takes is a strong gust of wind to wobble your umbrella. When the wind speed is too high, we always advise our readers to pack their umbrellas and store them away safely. Remember, even the strongest umbrellas could topple when facing high winds.
However, before we get to the 3 important ways to weigh down your outdoor umbrellas, let us tell you the structural features that must be taken into consideration when planning to secure your umbrellas.
Things to consider when weighing down your umbrella
The amount of weight needed to secure your umbrella depends on several factors, including:
- Umbrella’s Size: The size of the umbrella’s base/stand will determine the kind of weight you require to stabilise your umbrella. For example, if the umbrella has a base which weighs less, it will need a sturdier and heavier support to hold it down. On the other hand, if the base of an umbrella is heavy in itself, then you might not need substantial weight to stabilise your umbrella.
- Mobility: If you frequently move your umbrella, you should opt for a weight option which is also mobile and flexible.
- Type of umbrella: An umbrella for your backyard could be mounted firmly either on the ground or a wall as a long-term solution. Umbrellas for temporary use should be weighed down according to the umbrellas specifications.
- How windy does it get: If you live in a windy area, you need a sturdier base and a lot of weight to secure your umbrella. During seasons with high winds, it would be better to pack-up your outdoor umbrellas and keep them away until the wind calms down enough to use them.
- Surface on which the umbrella is erected: The ground surface — whether hard or soft — will also determine the weight you need to stabilise the umbrella.
How to keep Outdoor Umbrellas from flying away
Now that you have a fair understanding of what to consider, we must tell you about the three most effective ways to weigh down an outdoor umbrella:
- Weighted Base: This is the one of the most cost-effective options. Attach a heavy base with your umbrella that won’t let the umbrella wobble The base could also feature a bolt or a similar mechanism that would tighten the pole firmly and keep your umbrella stable and upright. The right type of base would depend on the size of your umbrella. For your convenience, weighted bases with holes are also available so that you can use the regular umbrella stand you already have. If required, you can add more strength to your base by using sandbags, water weights or metal weights.
- Material of the umbrella: Everyone wants their umbrellas to be durable and long-lasting. One way to do that is to purchase an umbrella made from heavy weight materials. Wooden umbrellas tend to snap under high winds. So it is better to go for an aluminium or steel umbrella which is far more sturdy and reliable and the weight of the metal makes them more stable when facing winds.
While you pay attention in sourcing the best materials for your umbrella, you must also get a strong table if you want to place it under the umbrella. Otherwise, if the table topples over and causes the umbrella to fall as well, it might cause an embarrassing and potentially damaging situation.
- Air vents: Apart from increasing the weight of your outdoor umbrellas, air vents in your canopy structure is also a great way to hold it steady against winds. An umbrella with air vents will not only secure your sheltering device, but also keep the air cool underneath the canopy. But ensure that the umbrella is angled in the direction of the wind.
Conclusion
You have now learnt about the ways through which you can weigh down your umbrella — be it outdoor cafe umbrellas, outdoor commercial umbrellas or industrial outdoor umbrella — but we still offer you a word of caution. If the wind is strong, you must immediately take cover. But before taking shelter, you must pack your outdoor umbrella. In fact, you must keep your umbrella closed when it’s not being used. This will not only reduce the chances of damaging the umbrella but also help in maintaining it.
Another crucial thing is try purchasing a good-quality product from a premium manufacturer in Australia. If you are not buying a premium product, you are automatically compromising on quality and that might cost you more in the longer run.
If you follow our tips, you will significantly reduce the chances of your umbrella getting blown away by the wind. However, you must choose umbrellas that suit you needs. Online outdoor umbrella brands in Australia also provide business packages which can be customised according to the requirements of the business owners. Do check them out and make the best choice.
